Maria and Tony Lead, Dancers Fail to Follow

Leonard Bernstein didn’t venture often onto Broadway, but when he did, it was with a splash, especially in his gloriously melodic “West Side Story.”

Basing the work forthrightly on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” he had a perfect book to begin with, modernized by Arthur Laurents, with Stephen Sondheim’s vivid lyrics as a capper.

In its Manhattan slum setting, with rival gangs replacing the Bard’s warring families, the story still centers around the young star-crossed lovers, and the ending is as tragic as the original. On the way, it’s a tight, exciting show.

The current production, Musical Theatre West’s revival at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, almost finds that excitement. Director Dennis Courtney, who also choreographed, gets all the moves right but frequently just misses the electric passion in the dancing, while musical director Stephen Gothold soars in the big ballads but seems hesitant when the gang rumbles should explode on the stage.

Courtney’s choreography echoes the original by Jerome Robbins, but it’s a subdued echo, its sharp angles too rounded, its heartbeat irregular. Courtney is on firmer ground when the emotions become romantic and the byplay between the gangs is verbal.

The most decisive contribution a director can make in any show is his casting, and Courtney did find the perfect Tony and Maria in Greg Kohout and Kristin Peterson. Both are attractive, move well and have superb voices, his muscular tenor and her glowing soprano just right for Bernstein’s powerful score. They have a charisma that puts its arms around the audience, particularly in the classic balcony scene, in this instance a fire escape that barely separates them.

Cyndee Z. Esparza is also charismatic as Anita, Maria’s friend and the fiancee of Maria’s brother, Bernardo. Esparza is enchanting and exciting, her every moment infused with high energy and pizazz. As Bernardo, leader of the Sharks, Chuck Saculla gives a good performance that lacks only a little more depth to be completely winning.

Tony’s friend Riff, leader of the Jets, is played by Tim Talman on one note, the tough bad guy, without much of the charm and high spirits that would explain why sensitive Tony is his best friend. It’s a rich role Talman hasn’t taken advantage of. On the other hand, a standout of a gang member, Scott Schottis’ Action, has all that plus the vibrant energy that gives the character his name.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

* “West Side Story,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. Thursdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends Sunday. $18-$32. (714) 521-4849. Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes. Opens in November at Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St. Nov. 5-6, 8 p.m.; Nov. 7, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Nov. 8, 2 p.m. $30-$35. (562) 985-7000.

Kristin Peterson: Maria

Greg Kohout: Tony

Cyndee Z. Esparza: Anita

Chuck Saculla: Bernardo

Tim Talman: Riff

Scott Schottis: Action

A Musical Theatre West production of the Bernstein-Sondheim-Laurents classic. Produced by Paul Garman. Director-choreographer: Dennis Courtney. Scenic design: The Set Co. Lighting design: Jacqueline Jones Watson. Sound design: Julie Ferrin. Costume design: Sharell Martin. Stage manager: Lisa Malmire.