Summary
In addition, [Euzan Palcy] and I also enjoyed the music composed by Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, both multiple [Tony, Maria] and Grammy Award-winners. With its memorable score that is still unforgettable after 52 years, collectively our favorite songs were such musical theater classics as "Somewhere," "America" and "Tonight." As such, we enjoyed this production's rendition of the music and the authenticity of the Latin rhythms, and the rich, surround-sound feel emanating from the pit as well as the balcony area. Under the direction of conductor Patrick Vaccariello and Associate Conductor Maggie Torre, the brilliant music of the West Side Story Orchestra pulled us to the pit after the show to acknowledge these brilliant, hard-working musicians. Likewise, the original Jerome Robbins choreography restaged by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely was hot, especially the "Dance at the Gym" and the fierce "The Rumble" number by the Company.
Then there is the cast. From my perspective as a former casting director, let's look at it this way. There's costume jewelry and there are real gems. WeIL let me tell you. "West Side Story" is the real thing. And what a flawless, sparkling gem! With a radiant cast of 48, the starring talent of "West Side Story" are the triple threat: actors/singers and dancers: Matt Cavenaugh (Tony), the 2009 Theatre Award winner Josefina Scaglione (Maria), the 2009 Tony Award winner [Karen Olivo] (Anita), Cody Green (Riff), [George Akram] ([Bernardo]) and Curtis Holbrook (Action).Please join us next week for Part 2, when the "Casting Pearls" series awards "West Side Story" with the "Casting Pearls" awards.[...] following a session at the 100th annual convention of the NAACP, the great civil rights organization, we left the Hilton for a quick bite and drinks with the noted Guyanese-British film curator June Giovanni, who was in town from London.See the full content of this document
Extract
'Westside Story' Delivers
So, the multiple-award-win- ning film director Euzan Palcy was in town from Paris and wanted to see a Broadway musical. However, she did not want to attend just any show on Broadway. She wanted to experience the current production of the classic "West Side ...
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