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Wendy February 21st, 2020
Reviews are in for Ivo Van Hove's revival of West Side Story. The production has been plagued by controversy even before it started previews, with protests against the casting and initial reviews calling it far too graphic. The musical opened officially last night, so we can finally reveal what Broadway's biggest theatre critics have to say! Much like the revised choreography and storyline, it seems you're either very much for or against this daring new revival.
Fortunately for West Side Story, there are more reviews for than against it. Deadline praised the show for its use of multi-media and video technology to add to the intensity and contribute, rather than compete, with the action on stage. Variety enjoyed Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker's updates to Robbins' original choreography, calling it "an authentic style for our own era". Only the New York Times' Ben Brantley, one of the most renown Broadway critics, was left unimpressed! He called it "unaffecting" which certainly runs contrary to the hype it has been generating. Contrary to both Deadline and Variety, he wasn't won over by either the productions new choreography or the reliance on video. Tough crowd!
Regardless of what the press say, it was clear from early on that this revival would divide audiences. Any reinterpretation of a show as iconic as West Side Story was bound to do that! So perhaps the creative team thought, "To hell with it!" and used every trick they could. After all, why do things half heartedly? As one critic aptly wrote, "It's bound to be polarizing, but it's definitely not to be missed."
It's bound to be polarizing, but it's definitely not to be missed.
The Hollywood Reporter
