The West Side Story in Review

A great musical with a lot of ballet dance routine.

I can understand how the original creator tried his best to blend tragic element into a musical piece; it was not an easy task after all. For those into Shakespeare's, some silent moment is really appreciated. I was annoyed with the ah so next to me, munching peanuts while we were so engaged with the dialogue of Anita, Maria's sister conversing with the Jets boys. It was the most important scene, that lead to the tragic part.How come she munched peanut in Istana Budaya theatre? Very bukit, huh!

Coming back, the musical numbers played were great and oh my, Tony's Maria gave me some goosebumps with his powerful vocal. The duet of Tony and Maria was too, beautiful.

Favourite scenes?
1. When the Jets Boys, in golden-hued bomber jackets and carrot-cut pants swing dancing with the caucasian girls who are in pretty dresses and looking so blond. It was such a contrast to the latino group, the Sharks, donned in bright Armani like jackets and salsa-ing with their girls.

2. The famous balcony scene. Yup,it was romantic to climb into someone's window and sing.



3. Tony and Maria, playing bride and groom, in the bridal shop. Cute!

4. The ending when Maria, grabbed the pistol from the Shark Boy who killed Tony, pointed it to her head and screamed. It kept us so anxious coz Tony died and what happen to Maria afterwards? Ehehhehe, I do not want to tell lar.

Overall, it has been 50 years since the musical debut. So, do not expect a smooth transition between the scenes. After all, adapting a Shakespeare's tragic play into a musical theatre is challenging. Imagine an actor firing someone and sings with music played at the same time, not really dramatic kan?