Review: Musical Theatre of L.A.’s ‘West Side Story’

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The Musical Theatre of Los Angeles revival of ‘West Side Story’ at the Hudson Backstage Theatre is outrageously better than anyone has a reasonable right to expect, especially given the familiarity of the material and the limited stage resources on hand.

Director Kenneth Gray-Scolari and his committed troupe handily meet both challenges in a precision staging that churns with relevance and urgency while strictly adhering to the period concept of the show’s creators.

Jerome Robbins’ and Arthur Laurents’ 1957 resetting of the Romeo and Juliet story amid clashing white and Puerto Rican gangs in New York still resonates with lessons about prejudice and intolerance, starting with well-cast leads. Clint Carter’s Tony is every inch the callow, lovesick dreamer that nonetheless endears himself, ably complemented by Laura Darrell who delivers the tongue-twisting Stephen Sondheim lyrics of chaste Maria’s solo flights with suitably angelic pipes. Also noteworthy are Benjamin Marquis as Sharks leader Bernardo and Janet Krupin as his feisty girl, Anita. Musical director Greg Haake’s 10-piece live orchestra renders Leonard Bernstein’s classic score with rich textures and emotional swells.

The real star here, though, is the re-imagined choreography by Arthur L. Ross, whose invention is born of the necessity of squeezing 32 performers onto an impossibly tiny stage. Watching the entire company high step its way without an inch to spare through the stylized prologue, the community dance at the gym, and the rumble scene makes a sardine can look roomy by comparison.

The only misstep is the second-act ballet, which seems clunky and formulaic compared with the more free-form movement everywhere else -- it’s a dated element ripe for cutting, though a credit to the company’s respect for the piece as written.

Without radical revisionism there are no big surprises here, but for ‘West Side Story’ fans and first-timers this one’s passion and execution surpass many a better-funded revival in larger venues.

-- Philip Brandes

“West Side Story,” Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Ends Dec. 21. $34.99. (323) 960-7712. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Caption: Frankie Sandoval, Janet Krupin and Carlo Morelli in ‘West Side Story.’ Credit: Tom Haake