The opening gala of the popular Broadway and West End dance musical production, West Side Story at Marina Bay Sands had me jetting to my seat. The verdict? This is one showdown between two rival gangs and a fatal love story not to be missed.
Celebrating 60 years since its Broadway debut, the iconic ’50s twist on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy (or love story) — West Side Story — takes the stage at Marina Bay Sands from 13 September onwards for a limited season. Despite the years gone by, its story of racial discrimination, gang violence, and a hopeful future is still relevant today.
This dramatic masterpiece follows two young lovers caught amidst the rivalry of teenage gangs in ‘50s New York, and has made pop culture history with its quotable dialogue, classic tunes, and groundbreaking choreography. Sure we’ve all seen the 1961 film, but the stage adaptation of Arthur Laurents’ tragedy is one not to be missed (or skipped to the best bits). The production has been dubbed “the number one greatest musical of all time” by The Times UK, but as an avid musical-goer myself, I can safely say that though it stands high on the list, it’s too soon to be stamped as “the greatest”.
The international tour comes with an all-American cast, including those from Broadway, which naturally turns up the heat in the MBS’ Mastercard Theatres. Forget about the cliche Romeo and Juliet-esque storyline; the strength of this musical lies in its demanding score (way more than your average musical), and the powerful balletic choreography of Jerome Robbins that will keep you on the edge of your seat, especially during the rumble between the Jets and the Sharks which blends seamlessly with the rest of the choreography. Look out for the dreamlike ballet sequence during ’Somewhere’ –– the stark shift from beautiful white swans to knife-wielding “hoodlums” will give you chills.
You could cut the tension during the gang scenes with a knife (pun intended), and the portrayals of Tony, Maria and Anita are enthralling. Plus, tackling a ballsy social concern that is rarely found in musicals (remember, this made its debut in the ‘50s), scores this production major brownie points.
But to be honest, with finger-snapping musical numbers (and showdowns) such as ‘Jet Song’ and ‘Cool’, songs that bring Mambo to glorious life like ‘America’, and others that will have you singing along unconsciously, including ‘Tonight’ and ‘I Feel Pretty’ (the slight change in lyrics goes unnoticed, but a great Easter egg), is there any surprise this popular production is considered one of the memorable musicals of all time?
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Another big musical returns later this year: The Sound of Music