West Side Story

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 you don't mind it being more movie than musical.

Don't see it if you can't bear to see a classic show "modernized" for now.

See it if You should see it if you are a true theatre person that wants to see an experimental director at work and how well technology is integrated.

Don't see it if You expect an emotional connection to the story or a focus on the story being told.

See it if You have an open mind towards what you expect from a Broadway show and to a different take on this classic story.

Don't see it if You loved the original and are a purist. There is video used throughout, minimal set and very underwhelming choreography.

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 love score & story & couldn't wait to see it. dancing & acting are very good, the staging wasn't Large screen was distracting. disappointed

Don't see it if Don't see it if you are loyal to the original story, it was too ambitious and the dancing was irregular, the cast wasn't cohesive.

See it if you are interested in and expect to see a new, modernized perspective on a classic show, with interesting staging choices.

Don't see it if you are expecting the classic finger snapping, dance fighting version of west side story. this is a much darker retelling.

See it if If you are a big West Side Story fan maybe you would like it.

Don't see it if I felt like I was seeing a movie. Too much action taking place backstage and on a big screen.

Also While the actress playing Maria had a beautiful voice it was more opera style and didn't fit in with the voices of the other case members.... Read more Read less

See it if you HAVE to see every musical regardless of the reviews.

Don't see it if the video should be used to positive effect; the choreography should compliment the music; you like a uniform cast quality.

See it if You really like West Side story. You want to see it set in modern times. You want to hear your favorite songs sang masterfully.

Don't see it if You don't know why we need to make West Side Story again. You think video is over used in theater. You want to see your old favorite.

See it if You like revivals. Dancing was good.

Don't see it if Tried to update a classic and seemed like a mess of 60’s language and 2000 technology. It was painful.

See it if You love the music of West Side Story and the dancing.

Don't see it if You love the original. The screen in the back was awful. It made me dizzy and distracted from the show. I didn't know where to look.

See it if You want to see a new take on an older show. The music was still wonderful and the choreographed ensemble scenes were great!

Don't see it if I didn’t like the choice to rely on cameras and screens rather than let the audience actually see the actors on stage.

See it if The actors give it their all - and I appreciate that

Don't see it if If you want your moneys worth

See it if you are open minded to the mixed media theater and you're ready to see a modern take on a classis Broadway show.

Don't see it if you value your time and money, since the show feels more like a movie, than a live theater.

Also I so wanted to love this show......and I failed. I rushed out of the theater, first customer out the door tonight, singing Mariiiaaa! I love the music of this Broadway classic. And that's about the only thing I loved tonight.
During this one act show, one hour and 45 minutes long with no intermission, I felt cheated of a live theater experience.
In what seemed like a streamlined video on instagram, we were visually transported into the streets of NYC, then Puerto Rico and back to New York. The overblown pictures projected on the wall were fully capturing my attention, to the point that whatever was going on on the stage in front of me felt like an unnecessary distraction. The choreography seemed random, and dizzying.

Westside Story is a big production, however with hardly any props. I don't mind the simplicity of staging shows these days, yet what I saw tonight was not enough. Also turns out I am not a big fan of mixed media.
I've decided tonight I am more of an Eastside gal.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in an attempt to make WSS more current and relevant and, if you are a fan of this director.

Don't see it if you are a die hard fan of the classic WSS and dislike director "tricks." Director seemed more interested in himself than the piece.

See it if If you want some great singing and dancing.

Don't see it if If you are a WSS purist this one you can miss. Casting and reconstructing of this legendary musical was not a great idea.

See it if same great story; great orchestra & beautiful music; good use of video at Doc's.

Don't see it if acting and singing is inconsistent, not all performers are created equal; distracting overuse of video when dancers are performing.

Also I much prefer the Jerome Robbin's choreography. The new choreography is repetitious, less interesting, less charming and has lost its dazzle...with the exception of America.

Poor choice to rearrange the order of the song Officer Krupke. The song is supposed to be comical but falls flat when sung after the intensity of the deaths of two of the gangs' beloved leaders. The movie got it right.

The use of video is overwhelming, distracting and dwarfs the performers on stage. For me, it felt as though there was a battle between technology and performance, which lessens the emotional impact. The play wants to be current yet the gangs speak 50's/60's slang.... Read more Read less

See it if You appreciate the great score and some good voices.

Don't see it if Revere the original play and it's dancing and choreography.

Also No character development in any of the characters.Hard to figure out who's who.... Read more Read less

See it if you've never seen the show and would enjoy a multi-media, speeded up telling of the story with a strong Tony, subbing for the injured lead.

Don't see it if You'd like to see breath-taking Jerome Robbins choreography. These dancers could have done it.

Also Talk about overkill. What's with the monumental projections and pushing back the live action so deep into the stage that we're forced to watch the musical on tv? Really? At one crucial moment with Anita and Maria singing, Tony is projected 50 times their size behind them, so that they look like toothpicks on stage, and all emotion is drained instantly. Also "Officer Krupke" is moved out of order from the original, again totally breaking the tragic emotion of the story line. There are lovely moments, because, after all, they are singing some of the original songs. The closing staging moment was effective. But sigh, this one is aggravating given the calibre of the cast and classic original material.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a cold, distancing, poorly cast, distracting take on one of our finest classic musicals.

Don't see it if You you want to feel genuine emotion, which is not that difficult to do with WSS.

Also I love reenviosings of classic musicals (such as with sexy “Oklahoma”), but not ones that leave me cold as this one did. Ivo Von Hove is hit or miss with me, and this one was a big miss for me.... Read more Read less

See it if you are willing to see a ground-breaking musical turned into another Ivo conceit.The mix of 1950/2020 does not work.Nor the camera close-ups

Don't see it if you love the original.There is nothing new or improved here.Performances are ok but there is no chemistry or conviction.Shorter but tedious

See it if You loved Network, very video-heavy productions, want to see what the hype’s about. Great dancing + singing + outstanding cast

Don't see it if You get carsick; constantly moving video behind the actors distracting and annoying. Sometimes additive, even genius, but v often too much

Also Look, this is a very strong production, if you can ignore the overuse of video. And sometimes, when the video stops and the rain begins, there's magic. Van Hove knows his way around the stage. I loved the new choreography. The cast is outstanding. But this was often like watching my favorite show on my phone while the kids channel surf on the TV. And worse, the actors are often out of sight in a room, while someone films them for us. Maybe that was appropriate in Network; here, it just grates. I wish I could give the show two ratings: 94 for the production on stage, 30 for the staging.... Read more Read less

See it if its an ambitious update on a classic - the projected live video stream makes for confusing perspectives. excellent dancing. diverse casting

Don't see it if young cast was not up to the vocal challenges. some live action takes place in rooms behind the set - you see the video feed? odd very dark

See it if You have to see anything West Side Story. Otherwise, take a pass on this one.

Don't see it if You want to see the classic show. Much is cut here. The staging is odd. Some of the actors have weak singing voices. It just doesn't work.