[NEohioPAL] West Side Story thrilling review - Come catch the show now!!!!!!

[KevinJosephKelly at aol.com]

Thrilling West Side Story' not the same old song and dance

Thursday, March 12, 2009  
By Ted Larsen Correspondent
Parma Sun Post

"West Side Story" is one of the pre-eminent musicals of American musical  
theater. With a powerful, operatic score that includes beloved standards like  
"Tonight," "Maria," and "Somewhere," a well-done production can thrill an  
audience like few other shows.  
Cassidy Theatre's production is indeed superb, and it makes for thrilling  
theater.  
Based on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," it tells the story of two rival  
gangs -- the Jets and the Sharks. When Tony, one of the Jets, meets Maria, one  
of the Sharks, they fall instantly in love. Their love is innocent, pure -- 
and  ultimately doomed when no one around them can see beyond their own hatred. 
 
Set in the 1950s, this story of ethnic identity at war with racism and the  
falsity of the "American melting pot" is timeless and purely American.  
The cast is superb. As Maria, Trinidad Snider's performance is nothing short  
of magnificent. Her voice is glorious, and she has that rare ability to emote 
 every moment of a song while still producing heavenly music.  
Barry DuBois as Tony has a crystal clear tenor and sweet-cored toughness as  
the young man struggling to break free of his history.  
Tony and Maria's duets are arrestingly beautiful, and together they make you  
believe that unselfish, unfettered love can still exist.  
Rick McGuigan as Tony's best friend Riff commands every moment he is onstage. 
 
Aimee Collier's Anita has 100,00 watts of energy. Whether saucily holding her 
 own in a male-dominated society or quietly admitting that eventually love  
matters above all, you can't take your eyes off her.  
The rest of the cast is wonderful, as well. From Justin William's  
never-ending sparks and twitches to Russell Harris's measured menace, every  actor makes 
the most of his or her moments.  
This is a dancing show, and the ambitious choreography lights up the stage,  
becoming a firework of joyous movement. Director Kevin Joseph Kelly has 
crafted  a show with pace and heart, and visually this show is often absolutely  
brilliant.  
There is a problem with diction, especially early on, and occasionally the  
sound balance is a little off. Also, this production has added a Shakespearean  
beginning and ending, and it is intrusive and doesn't work.  
But these are minor quibbles with a superb show. With amazing performances  
and gorgeous music performed perfectly, this is what American theater strives  
for and rarely achieves. It is spectacular.  "West Side Story"  continues 
through Saturday at Cassidy Theatre, 6200 Pearl Road, Parma Heights.  Call (440) 
842-4600 or visit cassidytheatre.com online.  





 
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