West Side Story

See it if to see a brilliantly re-imagined WSS for the 21st C that breathes new life into (but maintains the integrity of) one of the all-time greats.

Don't see it if "I Feel Pretty" is your favorite song; u expect a conventional revival [This ain't your grandma's WSS!]; u oppose the controversial casting.

Also You may never see a version of West Side Story that feels so urgent, contemporary, piercing, fresh & political as Ivo van Hove's re-imagining of this classic. Editing the musical down to one act really emphasizes how quickly one's whole world can change in an instant. With all due respect to Jerome Robbins, it was so refreshing to see new choreography that emphasizes, along with the casting, make-up, costumes, and videography, how immediate and modern and political the piece is, even 60+ years later. The vast emptiness of the stage and the towering video screens underscore how infinitesimal our lives are in the big picture when everything happening to us feels so monumental. The lights! The cameras! The action! It's all there, along with blood, sweat & tears. And stellar performances. There's a place for us... and it's the Broadway Theatre!... Read more Read less

See it if You are curious to see what they have done to a classic. Interesting use of projections.

Don't see it if You loved the original play or movie. The projections distract audience away from actors. Who is a Jet who is a Shark confusing.

Also The gang members are mean, tough, not likable. Tattoos, short skirts, tight pants, transgender, everything thrown in almost haphazardly. The whole musical has unfortunately changed dramatically, almost unrecognizable. Sad. However one can appreciate the creativity involved.... Read more Read less

See it if First of, the cast is very pleasant and most did the stage door 🚪. The venue is huge; I believe it’s the biggest Broadway 🎭 theatre 🎭.

Don't see it if Now for the show? It’s ambitious! To chop down about an hour of text and axing “I feel pretty”, etc., takes some major cojones! If you don’t

Also Know the story, then the chopped up version seems fine, otherwise it can feel lacking or rushed. The dancing 💃🏽 🕺🏼 was great 👍🏽, singing 🎤 was ok 👌🏽. “Tony” is TOTALLY worth the show! The visuals? Ok, so there was no real stage, aside from rain 🌧/ snow ❄️. The set really consisted of a projector 📽, which actually went dark at one ☝🏻 point, which didn’t seem intentional. The other times, which was mostly throughout, when the projector 📽 was used, was distracting. Some scenes? Totally worth it, other times, it was like, ok 👌🏽, enough already. But, overall, the intensity and basic story was there....... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a powerful modern retelling of a classic musical with strong performances and choreography.

Don't see it if you want to see a traditional version of WSS. This is a radical interpretation that likely would not appeal to purists.

See it if This is one of my favorite musicals of all time, but I had only seen the movie. Even though this was updated, I adored it!!! Wonderful!!!

Don't see it if You aren't open minded. This is very updated, but still maintains the aura and charisma that I came to adore in the movie. Songs! Dance!

See it if You want to see a much needed shake up of a classic. Forget what you knew and experience the new. It’s hauntingly powerful.

Don't see it if You can’t except change

Also While I loved the production there’s no rightful reason the production is protecting the actions of Ramasar. He’s replaceable in the show. That being said, the positive is that 33 excellent performers are making their debuts in a strikingly original take of this piece.... Read more Read less

See it if you love anything the director does.

Don't see it if you love WEST SIDE STORY, as written by Bernstein, Sondheim, Laurents, and Robbins (whose choreography is embedded in the writing).

Also Ivo van Hove has become famous for taking excellent material and making it more about him than the material. Many people adore this kind of entertainment. On the other hand, I could watch 20 different "traditional" productions of WSS and still find something new and thrilling in each one. However, many viewers are not able to pay such close attention, and need radical "reinterpretation" that has little-to-nothing to do with the text, in order to catch their short attention spans. They need to believe that they are seeing something "new," "young," "contemporary" (because "old" is a dirty word). This production is for those audiences.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an updated version of WSS. Also, if you want to revisit the music and choreography of WSS.

Don't see it if If you want to see the original version of the show.

Also The screen projection was over used. They could have limited it - it was distracting. If you decide you want to see the show, sit in mezzanine section.... Read more Read less

See it if you can put aside your love for the original and watch this as a new piece of art. And you like shows that deliberately push the envelope.

Don't see it if You're coming in on the defensive.

Also I personally thought this was riveting - I'm pretty sure I watched a lot of it with my mouth open. I appreciated the risks taken, regardless of whether they pleased everyone, and there were a lot of moments that continue to stick with me. Yesenia Ayala was the most refreshing Anita! If we had to immortalize one production as the definitive West Side Story for future humans to see, this shouldn't be it. But I still loved it as its own piece of theatre. For what it's worth, I went with three other people; one friend thought it was exceptional, like I did, the other two were appalled. It's obviously polarizing, but I hope people go in with an open mind and let it be what it is.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy the music, want to see an edgier version and lots of video

Don't see it if you find looking from video to stage distracting, I some times did, expect a traditional staging

See it if you are interested in an updated medium for a classic story

Don't see it if you hope it is the same as the movie

See it if if you are comfortable with the casting of a sexual harasser in a lead role and you go to live theater to watch giant video screens.

Don't see it if If you want to see a show that makes sense and it’s not an indulgent mess with a repulsive casting decision and overwhelming use a video

See it if you want to mostly watch a movie, that is poorly shot. or you like sexual predators, and their decision to cast one.

Don't see it if you're not into banal retellings with nothing new except fewer songs and more gore-- this cast did try though! Ramasar is a disgrace in this

See it if you want to support sexual predators. #BooBernado

Don't see it if you believe women and survivors and stand with Alexandra Waterbury. PLEASE do your research and don't see this show!!!!!

See it if you enjoy the orchestra and music and can ignore the sensory overload.

Don't see it if you get overwhelmed by a chaotic staging and technical effects that dwarf the actors and temper the emotional impact.

See it if Go in with an open mind, not comparing it to the original. Just appreciating another take on a beloved musical that's still relevant now.

Don't see it if if you already know you will not like it. The choreography alone!! Loved every second of this contemporary piece of ART of one of my faves!

See it if You are open minded, love the story and music of west side story, are open to new ideas

Don't see it if You are not open minded, don’t like west side story, can not handle change or new interpretations

See it if you love the music and are open for a new interpretation of a classic.

Don't see it if you are not a fan of video absorption- overused and detracts from the story, singing and acting.

See it if If you love the original and want to see a completely fresh take on it, you never saw the original and you want to see one of all-time bests

Don't see it if If you're a purist and any change with a classic is unacceptable, you don't like musicals

See it if you love the music and the story -- but the staging overwhelms the actors and this productions doesn't have the energy of the original

Don't see it if you cherish the original play or the movie and don't want to see anybody mess with it; choreography is banal compared to Jerome Robbins

See it if you're open to innovative staging. All the cast members are as young as the characters they are playing. Most listed their college credits

Don't see it if you want a traditional interpretation. This show will wipe away any memory of other stagings or the movie.

See it if you are a big fan of Ivo's work or must see every production of WSS possible

Don't see it if you care about the Anita's character at all or want a very standard version of WSS

Also I really wanted to like this production. I'm all for shaking up the classics and love to see what old shows can say today. Unfortunately, this production's changes seemed to cut the heart and depth from the show for aesthetics. Also not thrilled by the casting choices (see any recent article on the controversy).... Read more Read less

See it if You love a classic! The way this story was told on stage was very refreshing and we enjoyed it greatly

Don't see it if You can’t sit for the entire show. There is no intermission. Suck it up cause this show is amazing!

See it if you like Ivo Van Hove or work from The Wooster Group, The Builders Association, or just love the Bernstein score like I do.

Don't see it if you are not very open to experimental approaches to historical texts or dont appreciate contemporary dance

See it if you want to see a bold, thrilling version of a show we've all seen done the same way dozens of times.

Don't see it if you have no interest in this trend of classic musicals being re-conceived.

Also It's not entirely successful, and there is no question many will walk away unhappy. But if you have an open mind and a taste for the unexpected, this is a must-see.... Read more Read less