By Tim Croner, Senior Staff Reporter

America was shocked in 1957 when “West Side Story,” a musical that recounts the tale of “Romeo and Juliet” to a more modern tune, opened in New York. When a new production arrived on Broadway this year, that shock factor was still there, but not because of the show’s story of a gang-war or cross-cultural romance. This time, audiences were shocked that such a wonderful and beloved show could be translated into such a sterile and lopsided production.

“West Side Story” tells the story of Tony and Maria, two young lovers from completely different worlds. This production’s first signs of weakness come with the two actors chosen to play these star-crossed lovers, who unfortunately come off as anything but. The chemistry between Matt Cavenaugh and Josefina Scaglione (the two lead actors) is almost nonexistent; director Arthur Laurents sloppily tries to cover this up by having them remain attached to each other throughout their scenes. The lack of fireworks between the leads is marginally made up for by how lovely they sound during their duets “Tonight” and “One Hand, One Heart.”

Individually, neither fares better than they do as a pair. Cavenaugh has a pleasant voice, but his lack of stage presence and inability to comprehend the journey that Tony takes throughout the piece makes him difficult to like. Similarly, Scaglione has a lovely soprano voice —if only she could genuinely carry out Maria’s character arc.

Even Karen Olivo, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Anita, Maria’s best friend, barely registers during the show’s first act. It isn’t until Anita is nearly raped in the second act that Olivo nails the emotionality of the part, a breakthrough that leads her to her powerful rendition of “A Boy Like That.”

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of all with this “West Side Story” is its inability to live up to the potential it had. The Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim score is considered by many to be one of the greatest written for musical theater—a view that is, in many ways, valid.  Songs such as “America” and “Tonight” have become a part of American culture, and hearing a full, dynamic orchestra play these songs was one of the production’s few breathtaking moments.  

Any potential for this revival, however, was lost with Laurents’ attempts to modernize it. His integration of Spanish lyrics and dialogue into the show feel misguided, creating an uneven emotional power between the show’s two gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. In fact, the only place where the Spanish felt organic was during the final duet between Maria and Anita, as the melding of two languages is physical evidence of the new, accepting American woman Maria has become.

Laurents, along with choreographer Joey McNeely, even managed to disappoint when it came to the show’s legendary Jerome Robbins choreography. The second act dream ballet has been significantly (and poorly) altered for this production, and much of the choreography has been toned down from its original state. The only scene that comes close to capturing the glory of the initial choreography is “Dance at the Gym,” which is upsetting in a show where dance is as much a part of the narrative as the dialogue.

“West Side Story” is one of the few truly great American musicals. But it is for this reason that the Broadway revival is such a shame: With such fantastic material and the cultural status it has achieved, any professional production of “West Side Story” should be first-rate.

Tim Croner can be reached at tcroner@stoganews.com.

Printed originally on p. 19 of the Nov. 24, 2009 issue of The Spoke

By Laura Statts, Staff Reporter

A scream splits the silence. A pool of blood splatters across the screen as the killer strikes again. Horror movies are both terrifying, and somehow addictive. Horror is a popular movie genre, especially during the Halloween season. The following is a list of ten of the best horror movies ever made, beginning with the number one flick.

1. Psycho

The first—and arguably the best— slasher movie, “Psycho” (1960) is a classic by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. The shower scene with its threateningly familiar soundtrack is a key element in the culture of the horror movie genre. A must see.

2. Night of the Living Dead

The highlight of this film is its astounding cinematography. Shot in black and white, the artistry of “Night of the Living Dead” (1968) is remarkable. Hunched, lurching zombies raised from the dead by radiation cause a number of survivors to take refuge in a farmhouse. This is a cult classic.

3. The Evil Dead

This movie is deliciously warped. “The Evil Dead” (1981) is a dark comedy with laughs twisted into chills. Six college students discover the Book of the Dead, bound with human flesh and inked in human blood. Through the night, five of the six are killed, turned into the dead. This is one of, if not the best, zombie movies. Not for the faint of heart.

4. Silence of the Lambs

Catlike Hannibal “Cannibal” Lecter runs shivers down even the bravest soul’s spine. His coldness simply makes him more frightening as he helps FBI agent Clarice Starling track down psycho killer known as “Buffalo Bill.” But when Lecter escapes from his high security prison, there are two killers on the loose. “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) is disconcerting in the best possible way.

5. The Exorcist

“The Exorcist” (1973) is one of the scariest and most troubling movies of all time. A young girl is possessed by a demon. During her exorcism, she growls and roars, twisting her head completely around. The effects are stunning and the plot is magnificently horrifying.

6. Texas Chainsaw Massacre

A top-notch thriller, this 1974 original is legendary. Disgust and fear surround the murders committed throughout “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” The special effects are not great, but the plot stands out and the killer is especially frightening.

7. Scream

This was expected to be a typical “teen scream” teeming with ludicrous clichés; however, “Scream” (1996) reminds us that slasher movies can still be excellent. Director Wes Craven scores with his most infamous thriller. A serial killer dressed in a ghostly mask strikes up kill after kill. A massive bloodbath including the death of the killer concludes this original, genre breaking movie.

8. The Sixth Sense

Bruce Willis stars as the psychiatrist for a child that can see ghosts. The inevitable line “I see dead people…” in such a young and innocent voice is bone chilling. The psychological manipulation used in “The Sixth Sense” (1999) is stunning. It might not be terrifying, but this is classic that you absolutely must see.

9. A Nightmare on Elm Street

Freddy Krueger and Jason are two of the most villainous killers of all times. Freddy flashes his metallic claws and torn up skin while Jason smirks from behind a hockey goalie mask, chainsaw in hand. Well strung together, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) is an extraordinary thriller.

10. Dracula

Bela Lugosi is the only actor who could pull off that startling vampiric glare illustrated so clearly in “Dracula” (1931). The dark vampire Dracula captures the young Mina Harker under his spell, attempting to turn her into one of the undead. When the mysterious Dr. Van Helsing tries to diagnose Mina’s recent health problems, he learns the dreadful truth about the Count. An oldie, but definitely a goodie.

Laura Statts can be reached at lstatts@stoganews.com.

Printed originally on p. 19 of The Spoke’s Oct. 16, 2009 issue.