Lucky Arthur Laurents. In 1955, he was fortunate enough to collaborate with Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim in the creation of a new version of “Romeo and Juliet.” For that musical, which eventually became “West Side Story,” Laurents wrote the book, about racial tensions in New York’s Upper West Side.
Now Laurents has returned to “West Side Story” as director, taking a fresh look at the work, which is appropriately enough playing at the National Theatre, where it opened back in 1957.
The most obvious change in this version is the addition of Spanish, spoken and sung by many of the actors in this story of rivalry between gang members born in the continental United States (the Jets) and Puerto Rican-born gang members (the Sharks). The use of Spanish primarily makes the production seem more authentic and credible, answering the long-standing complaint that “West Side Story” uses Puerto Rican culture without fully appreciating it. Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics remain equally beautiful and funny as translated into Spanish by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The cast of dancers and singers at the National Theatre is superb, particularly Karen Olivo, who plays Anita, Josefina Scaglione, who plays Maria, and Matt Cavenaugh, who plays her boyfriend, Tony. Under the supervision of music director Patrick Vaccariello, Bernstein’s extraordinary score vigorously propels the story. The dancing reflects the brilliant work of Joey McKneely, who reproduced Jerome Robbins’ original inspired choreography.
David C. Woolard’s costumes are whimsical, mingling bright and muted purples for the Puerto Rican characters with various ochre/orange tones for the Jets. James Youmans’ scenery is at times suggestive and subtle, at other times stunning, for instance in the “rumble” scene performed behind a chain metal fence.
While there is plenty of comedy and optimism in this production — it’s built into the script — Laurents clearly wanted to limit the play’s uplifting message. In many productions, the final scene ends with both gangs joining to remove Tony’s dead body. Here Laurents offers no such optimistic gesture of social cooperation. His Tony remains where he has fallen, Maria by his side.
If you go
“West Side Story”
Where: The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 8 p.m. tonight-Jan. 17, 2 p.m. Jan. 10, 11, 14 and 17; 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $46.50 to $91.50; 800-447-7400; nationaltheatre.org
