Frequent Village Green contributor Georgette Gilmore recently reviewed The Paper Mill’s “West Side Story” for the blog Playground. Read an excerpt of Gilmore’s review below.
West Side Story at the Paper Mill Playhouse (courtesy Paper Mill Playhouse)
The most beautiful sound I ever heard was Matt Doyle singing as Tony in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s West Side Story.
My 12 year old daughter and I had the pleasure of seeing West Side Story on Sunday night at the official press opening. I fell in love with the film version as a girl her age and wanted to share the experience with her. She didn’t know anything about the legendary musical, so she watched with new eyes. By the end of this fantastic production — which is directed by Paper Mill’s Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee —she was in love too.
credit Georgette Gilmore
For those of you who don’t know (Can that be?) West Side Story is the groundbreaking and legendary musical that premiered on Broadway in 1958. The film adaptation came in 1961. It takes Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and transports the tale to 1950s New York City. Two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heartwrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.
With Jerome Robbins’ original choreography (recreated by Alex Sanchez), the magnificent music, a great set, and an outstanding cast of actors, Paper Mill Playhouse’s production is better than the Broadway Revival show that I saw in 2009.
West Side Story at the Paper Mill Playhouse (courtesy Paper Mill Playhouse)
Matt Doyle as Tony and Belinda Allyn as Maria are two of the main reasons that this production shines. Doyle’s Tony is as good, or dare I say better, than Richard Beymer’s Tony in the film. Doyle’s voice is beautiful. Stong and layered with emotion. He captures Tony’s heart in the most lovely way. Allyn, who recently made her Broadway debut in Allegiance, makes a great Maria. Her voice is also stunning and she transitions from the sweet and innocent young girl to the hardened and devastated Maria beautifully.
Read the rest of Gilmore’s review here. Photos courtesy of Paper Mill Playhouse.
West Side Story runs now through June 26, 2016. Tickets are $37 – $140. Note: Due to issues of racial tension, violence, and some sexual situations, we feel the show is appropriate for ages 11 and up.
Paper Mill Playhouse
22 Brookside Drive
Millburn, NJ 07041
Parking available at the theater ($9)
