Broadway : West Side Story.

Tonight i was fortunate enough to be given tickets to something i never thought i would fall in love with - Broadway. It was love at first curtain opening at the beautiful Istana Budaya. And how befitting i imagined that my first Broadway experience will be of the infamous West Side Story tonight. It is after all the original Broadway musical spawned over 50 years ago. It is said to be a romantic love story, suspenseful thriller and exciting social documentation on the stage and of goose bumps and tears, enthusiasm and suspense in the audience – that is pure West Side Story.


West Side Story 50th anniversary World Tour was making Kuala Lumpur it's only South-East Asian stop and so it was a real treat. I wasn't sure what to expect at first and all i could imagine was that it was like watching a movie in the cinema except for the fact that it is played out in the flesh. Upon reaching Istana Budaya, i did not anticipate the atmosphere to be so plush. It was so easy to stand out as i stood among the sea of designer bags including one very noticeable bright orange legendary Hermès "Birkin" bag rumoured to cost over RM 30 000 but it was after all the second show to be playing after opening day the night before and rest assure, most of the elite/socialites would prefer to be the first few to be in attendance. Gives them more social credit. Nevertheless, i had stall seats which was the lowest tier parallel to the stage and comes with a-may-zing views, the kind you get if your ticket cost RM 590 each. I know, i myself couldn't believe how lucky i was, designer handbag less and all.


From the time the curtain first opened to the curtain call, i sat there perfectly enthralled. The amazing cast, the different scenes and all that infectious song and dancing will draw you into their world for all that hours you're sitting there. There were even a few songs that i was going "Oh my God, how could i have not known it was from West Side Story!". That was how little i knew about the wonderful musical scores of Broadway. But since i am now completely mesmerize, i wish for more with the likes of Chicago, Cats, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and the many great Broadway productions all coming towards our shore. But West Side Story would suffice for the moment. If you wouldn't the mind the ending that is ;)

Oh did i mention i ran into the entire crew and cast after the show backstage? Firstly, i would like to state that i am hardly excitable when it comes to meeting anyone "famous". I never lose composer ever and all i do is give a customary glance of that "famous" person and go along my way. But this, this caught me off guard. It happened after the show and we were all heading to the car park, walking along some obscure darken corridor around the building. At first a small group of people carrying bags and were in casual clothing walked past us. At that point my sisters and i were still very engross in our conversation and didn't think twice. Then suddenly as we went around a corner, a large group of 30 or more were walking past, all laughing and in high spirits in casual clothing sans make up and then it dawn on us that they WERE the cast members as we spotted the familiarity in their faces. Then as i paused for a moment to literally stop and stare, one of the main leads playing the leader of The Jets turns to me and smiles then probably thinking why this chinese girl in a floral dress is staring at them. Well you would understand if i told you that he was god damn well built, tall and not to mention had the bluest eyes i had ever stared in. See? I swear i blushed as i realize i have just gave that guy a chinese bambi wide-eyed stare. Anyway, i thought it was humbling for them all to be smile back.

Here is a little mention from the official West Side Story : 50th anniversary world tour website.

"The provocative finger snapping of the Jets, the urban sound of police sirens, the throaty laughing of the Puerto Rican women – the premiere of West Side Story in 1957 brought the New York big city jungle onto the light-flooded Broadway stages. It was fresh, authentic, never done before – and became a sensational success. A new type of musical theatre was born. Bold, realistic, vital and sharp-edged. Until today, this atmospherically dense Jerome Robbins staging is regarded as being unrivalled – despite countless copies, adaptations and new versions. Therefore, it is a stroke of luck that now the only current worldwide West Side Story, which is ennobled by the endorsement of “THE ORIGINAL”, legitimised by Robbins, is returning to international metropolises. And the enthralling performance of the Jerome Robbins student, Joey McKneely, really does breathe the spirit of the master: perfect dramaturgy, unforgettable dance numbers, extraordinary lighting design and the timeless music of Leonard Bernstein, with hits such as America, Maria, Somewhere or Tonight. Precision, passion and devotion – the magnificent ensemble of first-class musicians, singers and dancers realises the standard of the original work in a congenial manner through acting, singing and dancing"

The musical, which will run from May 12 to 24 at Istana Budaya, boasts a New York cast and crew of more than 70 members. Tickets for the musical are priced at RM190, RM290, RM390, RM490 and RM590, and can be booked by calling 03-2287 2727 or logging on to www.ticketspeople.com.