Chicago Tribune: For all the grant money expended on theater that is designed to combat youth violence, there's a case to be made for just buying those at-risk kids a ticket to "West Side Story" instead. Or, more specifically, to the unstintingly expressionistic, empathetic and dark-hued Jim Corti production of "West Side Story" — rendered as more Twyla Tharp than Jerome Robbins — that you currently can experience at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.
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I really enjoyed this article. West Side Story has some of my favorite choreography in it. I think as time has passed since it first opened in 1957, it has become more acceptable to show highlight the force behind the characters through the means of dance. Paramount's production of WSS is said to be as powerful as it is because of the way the dancing emphasizes the lack of control the Jets and the Sharks have on their bodies, minds, and the world around them. Sadly, a lot of times, choreography is intended to only look good and has no meaning behind it. I am very glad that this production put a concept behind the choreography rather than just being pretty. I would really like the chance to see it, probably won't have time to. But I do hope this inspires other choreographers to include more story in their dancing and affect the audience visually and intellectually/emotionally.
One of my most embarrassing theater factoids is that I've never seen West Side Story. Even though I've made theater my career, I still manage to somehow miss out on the monuments of the world I inhabit, the shows that are spoken of with reverent tongue and heaven-cast eye. (I have, however, managed to see Rita Moreno's one woman show, which was fantastic, but that's another story for another morning.) while this article waxes a bit poetic with mention of the "milk of human kindness" and other such slightly grandiose terms, I find myself intrigued, drawn in by the barest of plot summary that this reviewer includes. i am delighted at the mention of the crisp choreography and inspired performances, and the pictures included in the article have me admiring the spectacle of the show, from design to staging. I would love to see Kevin Depinet's "typically expansive" set, and observe the accomplished singers and actors in their elements. Someone take me to the theater, dammit.
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