West Side Story

The best thing about Queensland Musical Theatre’s production of West Side Story was the vocals of Sam Huybregts as Tony. His singing of “Something’s Coming”, “Tonight” and “One Hand One Heart” was exemplary. But it was his tour-de-force performance of “Maria” that was a heart-breaker.

Jo Willans was a vocally assured but mature-sounding Maria and acted the role with a nice vulnerability. Natalie Ridoutt’s Anita and Will Boyd’s Bernardo were a good match and managed to elicit the requisite Latin fire, while newcomer Lachlan Dalby’s Riff although a bit light-on vocally, was a presence. He had the right look and swagger for a gang member and danced extremely well. Also noticed were Liam Wigney, previously seen being brilliant as Young Peter in Ignations The Boy From Oz, turning in another accomplished performance as Baby John, and Ailsa McKeon making her mark as Anybodys.

Obviously the chorus had worked hard on Julianne Burke’s routines which were executed with precision. They weren’t Jerome Robbins, but at least they had some style.

Deian Ping’s direction missed all of the musical’s inherent emotion time and time again. How she could stage the “A Boy Like That” and “I Have a Love” scene, one of musical theatre’s iconic duets, without either of the performers looking at each other was beyond me.

The set design was poor. Tony and Maria’s balcony scene looked like it was a flat in St Lucia rather than a New York tenement, and the lighting was all over the place and unfocused - certainly not focussed on the drama that was happening on stage. And finally, someone should tell the wardrobe department that torn jeans were not part of the fashion food chain in 1957.

But despite the flaws the show still shone through, and I shall forever remember the production for Sam Huybregts’ superb “Maria.” It was a true highlight!

Peter Pinne