Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Here's what is most important: You could take a young person to see this and leave feeling that they had a full-on "West Side Story" experience. Given that this is a sacred show - there is no other such score, which means repeat viewings are no chore at all - that is of utmost importance. Somewhat cheaper than normal tickets are available to see at least a couple of future Broadway stars, I'd wager. And the pit contains an impressively full orchestra of fine union musicians, whose work is all you'd expect."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Directed by David Saint, this "West Side Story" (staged on James Youman's artful scenic design, which is beautifully lit by Howell Binkley) is the latest non-Equity production (at Equity ticket prices) to arrive under the Broadway in Chicago banner, and it might best be described as a very accomplished but uneven conservatory-level effort. The dancing is excellent, but the acting and singing is something short of stellar, with accents that are all over the place, and diction that is spotty at best. (A technically weak balance of singing, speaking and orchestra doesn't help matters.)"
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Musical relevancy is a hard notion to determine. What was considered groundbreaking fifty years ago now maybe considered superfluous for today's audience. Not so with the 2009 revival of West Side Story, which returns to Chicago via a non-equity tour by Troika Entertainment. Under the direction of David Saint, who restages Arthur Laurents Latino infused vision, it can be argued that West Side Story is more vital now than it was at its outset."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...this Non-Equity National Tour is still a worthy and sometimes moving theatrical event. Bernstein's music and the Robbins' inspired dances are so exquisite that this production is a terrific show to introduce teens to the magic of classical Broadway musicals. West Side Story certainly captures the angry voice of urban youths in the 1950′s. Much of that angst still resonates today. But in this high energy production - dance and a heart-throbbing score dominate. And that is all that is needed to make WST worth seeing."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...For many theater-goers, "West Side Story" represents one of the greatest musicals- an inspiring book by Arthur Laurents, stunning music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by newcomer Stephen Sondheim- this is a special list of names, plus we can add to this, the inspiration of the entire concept by director/choreographer, Jerome Robbins. The story is based loosely on "Romeo and Juliet", but instead of two families who are at war, it is based in New York City and is about the rival gangs, The Jets ( the already existing residents of the West Side) and the new comers, The Sharks ( the Puerto Ricans, who are changing the complexion of the area). The story is about "turf wars" and love as Tony (Addison Reid Coe) , a young man who wants to end the gang wars, finds himself falling in love with the young sister of the Sharks leader, Bernardo ( Andres' Acosta), Maria ( the lovely Maryjoanna Grisso)- which of course is the Juliet to Tony's Romeo."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...This splendid production, here for one week only, deserves a look, if only to hear Bernstein’s beautiful score played by a full orchestra and to see some up-and-coming young professionals acting, singing and dancing their hearts out."
Splash Magazine - Somewhat Recommended
".....For a story about love in the face of hatred, this production was almost completley void of both conflicting elements. The chemistry between Coe's Tony and Grisson's Maria is about as lackluster as any high school production. There was no passion and no yearning sexual desires radiating from them. And thus every scene they have together feels fake. It's like they're both trying to ignite fireworks without any matches."
