Royal City Musical Theatre a The New Westminster (Canada) based theatre company has produced a breathtaking presentation of Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents’ musical West Side Story, which was originally staged on Broadway in 1957. Under the direction of Lloyd Nicholson, Musical Director James Bryson and choreographer Valerie Easton, the cast, led by stellar performances from Mat Baker (Tony), Kazumi Evans (Maria), Robyn Wong (Anita) and James Mark (Doc), gave their audience plenty of reasons to come back and catch a second performance before the musical’s run ends on April 26th.
The vintage Massey Theater with its heavy, deep red velvet curtains, vintage wood framed and red velvet backed theater seats, provided the perfect ambience for a musical which is set on the west side of New York City in 1957. The theme unfortunately is a timeless one, which is built around issues such as
racial prejudice, gang warfare, violence and innocent individuals who find themselves caught in the middle of senseless hatred, and often end up being victims. West Side Story pits a Puerto Rican gang, the Sharks, against an American gang, the Jets, both of whom are fighting for control of the same turf. The star-crossed lovers who find themselves caught in the
midst of these violent rivalries, are torn in their loyalties, and end up becoming tragic figures, are Maria the sister of the Sharks’ gang leader Bernardo and Tony, the close friend of the Jets’ gang leader Riff.
Kazumi Evans, by far is the single best performer in this production of West Side Story. She brings passion, romance, sorrow and anguish to the character of Maria, and she does so in a way that is vulnerable and genuine. Her petulance at her brother’s attempt to coerce her into a marriage with Chino (Antonio Olivito), her childlike belief that Tony can single-handedly stop the rumble between the two gangs and her anger as she points a gun at Chino, are emotions that she projects with such strength, that your eyes are riveted to the actress. You find yourself swept up in the drama, and Evans is successful in evoking from the audience strong emotional responses, as well as prompting troubling questions about the world in which we live.
Evans performance however, would not be nearly as powerful if she were not playing opposite Mat Baker, who also turns in a spectacular performance as Maria’s lover Tony. Although April 12th was only the second night that West Side Story was performed at the Massey Theatre, Baker and Evans had already established chemistry reminiscent of Vivien Leigh and Clark Cable (Gone With The Wind). Baker and Evans’ duets “Tonight,” and “One Hand, One Heart,” only heighten the sense of romance. Both put in strong vocal performances, but Kazumi Evans had the audience, in a state of disbelief as she demonstrated her extensive vocal range. At the intermission, theatre patrons were still talking in awe about her vocal performance and acting ability. There is no doubt that this young woman’s star will shine brightly for many years and no doubt, we will someday be watching an awards show, and say, ‘I saw her when…’
