AMTSJ's West Side Story (starring Diana De Garmo)


West Side Story is nearly a perfect musical, with work by Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins that represents a towering artistic achievement.

From the opening notes of the Leonard Bernstein score to the final funeral dirge West Side Story never fails to thrill. I love this score. I love the story. I love the dancing. I love everything about this show.

The AMTSJ production has quite a few things going for it. Vince Pesce has done an excellent job of translating the original Jerone Robbins choreography for this production, and the dancing is the most exciting part of the show. I love its powerful, raw feeling. I love the masculinity of the dance pieces for the gang members. I only wish the dance at the gym hadn't been constrained by set pieces that severely reduced the size of the stage. This wasn't the only time the staging/scenery seemed to overpower the show. I loathed the use of Maria's bedroom as a two story high tiny little box. I felt cheated to have "I Feel Pretty" and other scenes play there. The actors and the movement seemed completely constrained in those scenes too. This was a case of being seduced by the reality and concept of a set piece and not realizing that it's what's going on on that set that matters more.

As for the performances: some of the cast members really shine. It's is so nice to see a man play Tony that you buy was ever a gang member. Often (even in the movie) he's played by someone a bit to sensitive, a bit too wimpy. Aaron Ramey, on the other hand, seems credibly to be a street kid trying to become a stand-up guy.

The Anita and Bernardo, as played by Joann M. Hunter and MIchael A. Balderrama, also shine. They are hot, sexy, passionate and talented. Hunter particularly really burns it up, looking uncannily like Rita Moreno. Chris Cobb Olsen as Riff is another strong, masculine, believable presence. Whether dancing with his girl or fighting with Bernardo he has a cock-of-the-walk presence that fits him and the character of Riff like a glove.

Others also acquit themselves well in the smaller roles, among them: the poor, unseen "Somewhere" soloist, Tiffany Haas, Justus Vierra as Chino, Lorin Latarro as Rosalia, Ray Renati as Lt. Schrank, and Freddy Ramirez and Richard J. Hinds as Actiona nd A-rab.

But I'm sure you're wondering, how was American Idol's Diana De Garmo?

Well, the truth is the answer depended entirely on the venue in which she was performing. If this had been a smaller, less expensive, community theatre in the area I would have thought she was fine. But up on that stage with more seasoned professionals, and after having paid a very pretty penny for the ticket, I'd have to say she was not quite up to that level of challenge.

And I really think from the singing perspective, it was all about confidence...trusting her legitimate voice. When she was singing in duet or group and had to travel very high in her register it sounded fine. I think that legitimate voice is there and could have been used throughout. But when she soloed she too often pushed her belt voice as high as she could. Which made me nervous and didn't really fit the role. Don't get me wrong: she did not do any American Idol'ing of the music...no melismas, no popping it up. I totally give her props for that. Thank God is all I can say! And as someone who is a belter myself I totally get how easy it is to rely on the part of your voice you know will come through...as far as you can push it. But the problem is when it got really high it did sound pushed (and got a little too nasal therefore) and it just didn't fit the role of the innocent young girl that Maria is.

As for the acting (which perhaps had concerned me more going n than her singing) I'd have to say that she has a ton of energy and commitment and passion...all a great foundation for being a great performer. She threw herself into it, no doubt about it. She also has a likability factor. You definitely root for her to pull things off. But she's still acting like she's acting, if that makes sense. She needs training and more experience. 'Nuff said.

I love this show, and this production was totally worth seeing. That's the bottom line.

Posted: Wed - November 9, 2005 at 11:06 AM       EmailFeedback

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