West Side Story sizzles!

Hard work and inspiration. This twin formula totally applies to the musical “West Side Story” produced by Stages which is currently showing it at Meralco Theater.

Director Menchu Lauchengco Yulo played Maria 27 years ago, and is therefore thoroughly familiar with the musical. Further, she extensively researched on Jerome Robbins’ adaptation of the Bard’s “Romeo and Juliet”, its book by Arthur Laurents, its music by Leonard Bernstein and its lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Thus, Menchu knows every role, every song, every dance sequence, every episode of the musical. And having honed her theater skills with Repertory Philippines through all those 27 years, she has a keenly perceptive awareness of the dramatic exigencies involved in “West Side Story”. Theoretically, hers is the ideal preparation for each directorial task prior to which the cast will have gone through countless auditions and, later, grinding, strenous rehearsals.

As expected, the meticulously chosen cast members are uniformly excellent as actors, singers, dancers. Each demonstrates rare persuasiveness in his/her role. Joanna Ampil as Maria combines charm and innocence. With compelling conviction, she conveys immediate attraction for Tony, momentary anger at his accidental stabbing of her brother Bernardo, and finally, utter heartbreak over Tony’s death. (Incidentally, she bends over his dead body in a rather awkward pose.)

Personable and engaging, Christian Bautista — although a relative neophyte compared to Joanna — is a Tony blindly, impulsively, impetuously in love with Maria.

Maria sparkles when she sings, exhibiting considerable vocal skill and sensitivity in “I feel pretty” and other numbers. Christian excites and holds audience attention steadfastly, particularly in “Tonight” and “Something’s Coming.” The duets, e.g., “One Hand, One Heart,” “Somewhere” etc. are rendered with striking impact.

Verona becomes New York, its streets and alleys are where heated fights erupt between the Anglo Jets led by Gian Carlo Magdangal as Riff, and the Puerto Rican Sharks headed by Jake Macapagal as Bernardo. The rough necks are riveting as they tussle, sing and dance with dazzling flair, many of them doing multiple pirouettes!

The fleet-footed dancer Pam G is a fiery, dynamic Anita, Maria’s friend and confidante; James Paolelli is strikingly drunk with power as Lt. Shrank; so is Richard Cunanan as Officer Krupke who is funny besides; the seasoned Jaime del Mundo plays Doc to perfection.

The mobile sets of Mio Infante, each creating ambiance while identifying place and occasion, appear and disappear like magic. The costumes by Eric Pineda fit the characters, the splendid lighting is by John Batalla. James Laforteza's dances are a clever recreation of Jerome Robbins' original choreography. Gerard Salonga waves his masterful baton over FILharmonIKA, infusing the songs, dances and rumbles with zest, vigor and spirit while sending the pulses beating.

The concerted, collective effort over which Menchu casts an all-seeing eye, leads to a tightly integrated spectacle that is sizzling, sparkling total theater.

The alternate cast consists of Karylle Tatlonghari (daughter of Zsa Zsa Padilla) as Maria, Rowena Vilar as Anita, Jake Macapagal as Chino, Jeff Singson as Bernardo. Presumably, they are as effective in their own fashion, having passed rigorous screening and auditions.

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Copies of a magazine bearing the title “Inside Story” were given to members of the audience during intermission. Therein, producer Audie Gemora — himself a terrific actor-singer-dancer who played Riff in Rep’s earlier production — gives credit to Carlo Orosa for persuading him to see the musical through despite the tremendous challenges it presented; super-star Lea Salonga praises Joanna Ampil; Rep stalwart Carmen Barredo likewise praises Menchu and her other Rep “babies”; popular icon Gary Valenciano reports glowingly on Christian Bautista; talented composer Louie Ocampo writes the piece “Gerard Salonga Orchestrates Success.”