West Side Story is one of those hallmark musicals where timeless tunes such as ‘Tonight’, ‘Maria’, ‘America’ and the highly popular, ‘I Feel Pretty’ originated. It’s now back on Singapore shores from 13th to 30 September 2017.
Here’s sharing our review:
The Music and Songs: With music and lyrics composed by legendary composer, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Soundheim, it is a real treat to be able to see and hear these iconic tunes performed LIVE (yes, there’s an actual orchestra in the pit!) and conducted by renowned conductor Donald Chan, himself a student of Bernstein.
The cast did a very commendable job with the songs. In particular, Marc Koeck (Tony), Natalie Ballenger (Maria) and Keely Beirne (Anita). These are difficult songs to sing especially when accompanied by high-energy dance moves and highly-strung emotional scenes. Koeck in particular won the hearts with his rendition of ‘Maria’, sung with perfect poise and control.
Ballenger carried the role of ‘Maria’ well. With her petite frame and doe-eyed features, she had no trouble portraying an innocent naïve immigrant finding love in the Big Apple. Her chemistry with Koeck was palpable. While her singing prowess is evident, we felt that she was at times too ‘operatic’ in her song delivery. As such, audiences who are unfamiliar with the musical may have to strain their ears to catch the lyrics in order to follow the plot. This also did not lend fully to her lower middle-class Puerto-Rican (PR) immigrant persona.
The Dance Choreography: This production features original choreography of legendary Jerome Robbins, American choreographer and co-director of the critically acclaimed film adaptation of this musical. From modern Jazz to Latin rock, the dances were riveting to watch. The cast executed piece after piece of energetic dances with short, sharp, superb syncopation accompanied by Chan’s symphonic ensemble.
The Cast: This is an all-American cast with seasoned Broadway performers. We were particularly impressed with Keely Beirne who plays Anita.
So…is it suitable for kids?
West Side Story replicates the main themes explored in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’, set in modern context in the West Side (Read: rougher part) of New York so you can expect some mature themes like self-identity, social integration, racial discrimination, young passionate love plus actions like kissing, pre-marital sex, death, rape and suicide which may render it unsuitable for pre-teen kids.
We brought our 9 year-old along as she is familiar with the story of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and I wanted her to have the opportunity to hear the musical’s iconic tunes LIVE. She enjoyed the songs and dances but had trouble understanding the plot despite us giving her a pre-performance summary. On hindsight, this musical may be more suitable for teenagers and up so it might be the perfect excuse to leave your kids at home, and make it just an adults’ night out with your partner/spouse and friends.
WEST SIDE STORY
A boy. A girl. Two rival gangs. One fatal love affair. Described as ‘The No.1 Greatest Musical of all Time’ by The Times, UK, WEST SIDE STORY is as relevant today as it has ever been. Inspired by Shakespeare’s tumultuous love story Romeo and Juliet, and set amidst the vicious rivalry of teenage gangs in 1950s New York, WEST SIDE STORY’s ground-breaking choreography and unforgettable score changed the face of musical theatre for ever when it burst onto the Broadway stage in 1957.
Now a vibrant new stage production of the classic dance musical is coming to Singapore, following wild acclaim and sold-out seasons around the world, from London, Tokyo and Sydney. An outstanding US cast will electrify audiences with their passionate high-energy dance routines and their astounding vocal range in such classic songs as Maria, Tonight, Somewhere, America and I Feel Pretty. West Side Story packs a powerful punch, both dramatically and musically. Advisory (Some Mature Content)
EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY!
Thanks to our sponsor, 2 loyal readers will get to win a pair of tickets (worth SGD270) to watch West Side Story on Tuesday, 26 September 2017, 8pm.
All you need to do is:
1. Like Sliding Doors Entertainment’s Facebook Page
2. Like Life’sTinyMiracles’ Facebook Page
Complete the steps in this online widget:
The giveaway ends Friday 22 September 2017, 11.59pm and is open to readers in Singapore. The winner will be contacted using the email address provided when entering this draw and will have 24 hours to respond, failing which a new winner will be drawn. Please ensure you are able to attend the musical before you participate in the giveaway as no requests for change in show date/time will be entertained.
All entries will be verified before the winner is announced, incomplete and unverified entries will be disqualified. Please note that all Facebook and Instagram accounts (e.g. accounts set up purely to take part in contests with no authentic posts or very few real friends) will be disqualified. All the best!
One of my Favourite musical!
Love to bring hubby if I win. The perfect date without the kids 🙂
Has been looking for a good musical since Les Miserables ended. This is definitely one to watch! Hope to win this to go with my wife who is as much a musical lover as me!
I will bring my good friend Marcus Tan, because he was the one who suggested going to watch West Side Story in the first place! And I just happened to chance upon this giveaway haha.
I will bring my Dad with me to the musical as he loves everything about Shakespeare.
Hi,
Thanks for the giveaway.
I ll bring my daughter and enjoy a date with her. Cherishing any opportunities to spend time with her and creating memories.
Thanks, Tani
Email: [email protected]
Oh i would like to watch this, i haven’t stepped to a theater in years! Would love to have stress break. I will bring along my friend coz he will be moving away… And we will see each other indefinitly…
Thanks
Thanks for the giveaway. Hope to win this musical
Would like to give the tickets to my mum and my daughter to watch. They both like musical theatre.
My Sister and I were school choir girls. Singing and prancing on stage to songs such as those from West Side Story was such a big part of our youth!
If we get to watch West Side Story together, it will take a bit of willpower to stop ourselves from jumping up and singing along with the cast, but we’ll try to keep to just tapping our feet. 😆
My Sister is now a Mother of 4 young children. Imagine what a luxurious treat it would be for her to have a girlie night out (without the 4 noisy kids :p) and through beautiful music and showmanship, relive some of the best memories of our youth.
Oh we will feel so pretty and witty and briiiighhhttttt!
thanks for doing this giveaway!
Need a date with the hubby – long overdue. Watching West Side Story sounds perfect.
Carol Mei Mei Lim
[email protected]
I’d really love to win this! been wanting to catch this particular musical 2 years back but I missed it when I was in London 🙁 this would be a really great opportunity to catch it in Singapore! hope to win this and surprise my boyfriend for his birthday! thank you!!
Since kids came along, we usually watch children’s theatre or musicals. Hope to win tickets for a musical for wife and I to enjoy on our own, for a change. 😉
Huge fan of Romeo and Juliet 💕💕 and i wanna see this awesome musical adaptation live!! 😍😍
My BFF who loves musicals
Thanks for the giveaway….
I hope I have done all the necessary to give myself and my loved one a chance at this. I last watched a foreign musical many, many, many years ago and West Side Story has always on my want-to-see list. hope to be the lucky one .
Hi! I’d love to bring my mum who is a fan of musicals and West Side Story
Thanks for the comments! Good Ol days literally. Can’t wait to experience more LIVE performances again. Cheers!