Perhaps it's no coincidence that the word "chance" is in its name.
Once again making the audacious gamble to re-work one of musical theater's most sacred properties, the little award-winning theater company with big visions, the Chance Theater, is currently staging a revamped version of the Laurents/Bernstein/Sondheim classic WEST SIDE STORY for a just-extended run through August 19 in Anaheim Hills.While this production still retains the original narrative's mid-20th Century New York City setting, this WEST SIDE STORY is, no doubt, a very 21st-Century-flavored re-telling. A hybrid of a chamber musical and lyrical performance art, this well-known musical about a pair of teenage paramours caught between a turf war between their respective culturally-different brethren gets an interesting new update, motivated mostly by the theater's understandably smaller space. The end results are mostly winning—especially with this added bonus of close proximity between the actors and the audience. The whole production reminds us that just because the canvas is smaller, doesn't necessarily mean the artwork becomes a less favorable piece.While the show is certainly not 100% perfect, in essence, this superb attempt at reinvention is, without question, quite spirited and valiantly well-executed. My only gripe—and, really, it's a minor one—is that in its quest to compress the show, some parts of the narrative feel ridiculously hurried and rushed. Though teen angst and puppy love in the real world do feel like a whirling dervish of emotions, the speed at which certain benchmark events unfold in this version (the dance at the gym, for example) doesn't slow down long enough to be adequately absorbed or to be as impactful. Granted, the show's emotional power still very much resonates overall, but at times, before one sequence really sinks in, the show has already moved on to the next vignette.
Nonetheless, for the most part, the show's enacted changes are marvelously staged. Many of the show's signature production numbers such as "America" (wonderfully done here), "Cool," "Tonight," and "The Rumble" are all quite good. More particularly, the gang fight that closes the first act poses so much more of a feeling of danger, thanks to its relative distance to our seats. Most people know what occurs here, yet the shock of its tragic occurrences still manages to jolt us. It's quite powerful as close-knit theater. While, personally, I feel that their treatment of "One Hand, One Heart" and "Somewhere" aren't as searing as previous productions have classically portrayed them, this show's treatment of "A Boy Like That/I Have A Love" gets it absolutely, perfectly right.Technology also plays a huge part in this update and is one of the show's welcome additions to this classic property. For a theater with a tiny footprint, I have always admired the Chance Theater's continued effective usage of state-of-the-art lighting and video projections—besting how they're done in even some of the biggest regional theaters in the area. It's certainly more subtle here, but both add such appropriate mood to every scene.
And what's even more remarkable is seeing a cast that looks age-appropriate for the roles they play. Keaton Williams and Gina Velez, the pair that play star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria respectively, provide admirable portrayals of the infamous couple. But the show's real MVP's are Gasper Spinosa—who plays Tony's best friend Riff—and Chelsea Baldree—who plays Maria's brother's girlfriend Anita. Each are quite riveting, particularly Baldree whose character's act of pure selflessness in the second act (despite just experiencing a tragic loss) is gut-wrenching to watch. Her powerful portrait here and in several key scenes throughout are definitely worth some notices during awards season.
Along with the show's outstanding ensemble cast, a few also worth mentioning: the superb Frank Minano (as Doc), Michael Grenie (as Liet. Schrank), Amanda Sylvia (as Anybodys), and Robert Wallace (as Bernardo).Though it seems utterly futile to even try to re-work an almost flawless classic such as WEST SIDE STORY, the fact that The Chance Theater attempted such a task should be applauded, especially considering such impressive results. Here's hoping their audacious trend continues.Follow this reviewer on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQPhotos from The Chance Theater's WEST SIDE STORY by Doug Catiller/True Image Studio. From top to bottom: Maria (Gina Velez) and Tony (Keaton Williams) fall in love on a balcony; Anita (Chelsea Baldree) pleads with Maria; Tony listens as his Riff (Gasper Spinosa) makes his case.-----Due to overwhelming demand, The Chance Theater's Production of WEST SIDE STORY has been extended through Sunday, August 19, 2012. Performances are Thursdays & Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm and Sundays at 2pm & 7pm. There will be TWO added performances on Wednesday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 15 at 8pm. The Chance Theater is located at 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills, CA 92807.For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 777-3033 or visit www.chancetheater.com.
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