West Side Story Review: Tougher And Grittier Than You Remember

West Side Story is one of my top 5 favorite musicals of all time. It’s a Romeo and Juliet-esque love story paired with catchy tunes which haunt you for days after you see it, and if you haven’t had the chance to see the musical before – now is your chance!

West Side Story is a more modern twist on a classic tale. Boy and girl from opposite worlds fall in love. Their family and friends are mortal enemies, yet the boy and girl don’t see any of that – the world simply fades into a background moving in slow motion. All they see is each other, and all they feel are feelings of attraction for one another. The ending is poetic and predictable as it usually is with these types of stories. But what really sets West Side Story apart from other musicals is its unforgettable show tunes. “Maria”, “Tonight”, “America”, “Cool”, and “I Feel Pretty” – whether or not you’ve see the musical before, I guarantee you’ve heard at least one of these songs before.

Tony and Maria are the lovebirds in this story. They’re the Romeo and Juliet. Tony used to be a Jet and finds himself back in the gang for a rumble with the Sharks. The Sharks is headed up by the brother of Maria. Tony was played by Kyle Harris who was a splitting image for The O.C.‘s Adam Brody. Maria was played by Ali Ewoldt. They both had fabulous voices and re-etched “Tonight” into my mind for another decade, though hopefully it won’t be that long until I have the chance to see this play again.

This revival of West Side Story is a lot tougher and grittier than the more traditional versions we saw ten years ago. It feels fresh and new while keeping the same classic story intact. The musical is currently playing at the Fox Theater in Atlanta through January 30th, so be sure to grab your tickets before they’re gone!

Review By: Emma Loggins

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