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June 15, 2007
Barrington Stage Company
West Side Story, my review!
 Last night I attended a performance of West Side Story at their new theatre in Pittsfield, MA. Although it was still a preview performance, since I am not on their list of critics who get free tickets, I will offer my review here taking in the fact that it was still in preview. The show rruns through July 14 and I can safely tell you that you should not wait to get tickets, order them now cause this show is a big hit! From beginning to the end, I became part of the story, as it drew me in through the wonderful choreography of Jerome Robbins, adapted to this production by Joshua Bergasse, and of course the music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim, The musical director for this production is Darren R. Cohen who is a master musical director/Conductor. The true starts of the production are the music/lyrics and the dancing. Breathtaking! Jacqueline Colmer(Anita), Julie Craig(Maria), Michael McGurk(Action), Freddy Ramirez(Bernardo), and Justin Bohon(Riff). Chris Peluso was good but before the show, the audience was told that he was "under the weather". I only wish I could sing and act like that when I'm under the weather!
The set design was another star of the show, designed by Luke Hegel-Cantarellawww.lukecantarella.com. The audience even appaulded during one of the set changes. It really felt that you were in the neighborhoods,from the soda shop, dress shop, HS dance gym, the rumble! I can't even tell you any weak parts of the show, there were no times that I even closed my eyes for a moment(you all know those moments). My favorite numbers were The Dance at the Gym ,Gee,Officer Krupke(great dancing) and The Rumble. The show is directed by Julianne Boyd, who has started this season with a bang! The women sitting next to me came from South Carolina with her two children to see this production because she had seen Follies a few years ago and she really wanted to see Julianne Boyd put on West Side Story. I only hope that the other shows this season by Barrington Stage can keep up with the talent that I watched last night!
List + Donate=Creativity! Joanne Deutch
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