The NTF presents “West Side Story” ,a show by Răzvan Mazilu, on Saturday, the 25th of October and Sunday, the 26th ,at 7.00 PM, at the Odeon Theatre in Bucharest. The festivals super-production, an ambitious idea of Marina Constantinescu- artistic director of the National Theatre Festival- and of choreographer Răzvan Mazilu, is being made real by top artists. A difficult genre to act in –the musical. A famous score, by Leonard Bernstein. An ambitious idea, of having an in-house production at the National Festival of Theatre. It bears the name of “West Side Story” and it is the manifesto of a young generation of actors who will collaborate with the colleagues in the musical sphere- The National Youth Orchestra, conducted by Gabriel Bebeșelea. Following a casting session that took place in the summer, Răzvan Mazilu, creator of the show, chose 21 talents, 21 “complete actors” ,to dance and sing on the stage of the Odeon Theatre. An article by Adina Scorţescu Saturday, 11th of October, around 11 o’clock. Less than two weeks until the beginning of the National Theatre Festival. It’s sunny in the Cișmigiu Park, a stage light shines on the stage of the Odeon Theatre; the hall is empty and cold; they’re rehearsing for “West Side Story”. On the black beam there are four girls and four boys doing the mambo. They are the Porto Rican gang which, in the story of Arthur Laurents, is competing with the Americans. They are all young and theoretically full of energy. Not so much, at this late hour. Bianca, the actor behind Maria (who falls in love with Tony from the rival gang, like a modern Romeo and Juliet) climbs down from the stage, looking for her coffee thermos. “West Side Story” is configured today, following two and a half months of non-stop labour, as the show of a young, powerful, ambitious, talented and energetic generation. A new generation of complete actors. “West Side Story” seems to have been written for them- you can find their every dreams, hopes, the need to love, the lust for living and for taking over the world of these beautiful young people. To me, as a supporter and creator of the musical, the stakes are much higher with the project, to set the musical as a major genre within the extremely varied forms of the contemporary theatrical phenomenon.” Razvan Mazilu, choreographer Judith State, choreography assistant, stands in front of them, at the end of the stage, her back towards a non-existing audience. She snaps her fingers and punctuates the rhythm “Tick-tack , tick-tack”. The dance is sensual, with hip movements, hands going over necks and chests, provocative looks. “You’re Porto Ricans! People, everything must scream SEX! Like <>”, Judith tells them, after about 20 minutes of jumps and finger-snapping. “You must be red here!” – she places her hands on her thighs and slaps them hard, as if the flesh were not her own- “It’s somehow clear to me that Petre isn’t.” “I’m noooooot…”, Petre replies, eyes gazing wide and his brow flanked by dark locks. “Pants down!” Bianca replies without smiling. And again, from the beginning. “Five, six ,seven, eight- ta, ta, tam, taram, taram.” It’s still not good enough. “We’ll do it until you all get it right. This is what I want to see.” She puts one hand on her head, she lowers it towards her neck, she performs a plié ,gathers her arms behind her and pushes her hips forward. “I don’t care that you’re in the last row and you don’t think I can see you” –she tells one of the boys- “I can see you!”. On the right-hand side, Liana Mareș , rehearsing at the same time, doubled over the piano, talks about the melody with Adiran George Popescu, the one who’s in charge of vocal training. “My sheet music is different, Mr. Bebeșelea told me he’s got less”. “Maestro Bebeșelea!”, a member of the American gang replies, while placing a beanie on his head, “…Ok, save the joked for the end”. “I’ve directed musicals before, but I admit it’s the first time when my stage partners aren’t trained singers, but actors; however, it’s precisely this novelty which I believe will make this show linger in the souls of all those involved, as well as the viewers. Another reason for which “West Side Story” shall be a benchmark is this dream team, formed from the association of highly talented actors with one of the top orchestras – the fantastic National Youth Orchestra, everything being sprinkled over with the direction of Razvan Mazilu, while the binding factor is this generation which we’re all part of” Gabriel Bebeselea, conductor At 12 and a half , Marilyn Monroe enters the stage, blonde- as usual-, smiling from the black shirt of Răzvan Mazilu. “Now you know the moves. I want you to listen to the music, this time we’ll rehearse with the piano. Take great care about who’s to your left and who’s to your right. Don’t dance alone. And more expressivity . Nothing else matters if you can keep the stage on you with your eyes!”, Mazilu tells them, while fiddling with a whistle strapped to a rope. “Don’t tell them nothing else matters…”, Judith comments dryly. “No, I’m done, I stopped”. Cue music. 16 people, walking in circles of opposing directions. At Mazilu’s whistle, they separate and form the two gangs- Americans and Porto Ricans. That is to say they run towards the back of the stage, like primary school students upon hearing the bell ring. The piano dragged behind. And then it stopped altogether. “Noo, you didn’t hear it, you didn’t pay attention to the orchestra! Play it to them again, Liana!” Mazilu says. And again. The second time- slightly better. “We haven’t the time to pass in front of them”, a boy says, heaving- American, Porto Rican, it doesn’t matter. “Yes, you do if you spice your paces up a bit.” Mazilu replies. “Go on. Attack!” Again with the jumping, the hip movement, youth ,energy. “Goood!” Mazilu shouts, from the back of the hall. “Wow, do you know what you were like just now? Supercool!”. Then, as if to himself: “I began talking like they do: <>, <> ,<>…”. He smiles. So does Marilyn. “I am very glad to be able to work with Răzvan Mazilu again, with whom I’ve been collaborating for 15 years. I am impressed by everybody – they’re all working with such passion and self-abnegation. I recommend the show to everybody, now that it’s <> .” Doina Levintza, costume designer for West Side Story “Here is a project which combined two such attractive arts, music and theatre, where the performers, including the musicians, shall dance (here’s a third art form!), sing and recite alongside the members of the National Youth Orchestra, one of the most beloved score for this genre of the XX Century. A text with such a background which continues to impress the new generation of listeners.” Marin Cazacu, artistic director of the National Youth Orchestra “I went and saw a rehearsal at the National Theatre and ,believe me when I say this, I started crying when I saw how good they were, how dedicated. They are exceptional! I hope it turns out well. There’s enough money for two showings this year, and two more next year.” Doina Lazar, manager of the Odeon Theatre “West Side Story” , by Răzvan Mazilu, is being performed on the 25th and 26th of October, at the Odeon Theatre. The Costumes are by Doina Levintza, while the music is being performed by the National Youth Orchestra, conducted by Gabriel Bebeșelea. Cast: Petre Ancuţa, Aylin Cadir, Nicholas Catianis, Idris Clate, George Albert Costea, Eugeniu Cozma, Alexandra Duşa, Anca Florescu, Lucian Ionescu, Emilian Mârnea, Silviu Mircescu, Alina Petrică, Simona Pop, Ana Bianca Popescu, Ioana Maria Repciuc, Gabriel Sandu, Rareş Florin Stoica, Andreea Şovan, Alexandru Ştefănescu, Sânziana Tarţă, Daniela Tocari, Constantin Cojocaru, Ionel Mihăilescu, Mircea Constantinescu, Istvan Teglas. BRD-Groupe Société Générale proposed to turn supporting the cultural and creative industries, especially those of show arts into a central axis of its social responsibility. Romania has the opportunity, through each artists, musician, actor or writer, to place creativity at the nexus of its development, and we trust completely in the contribution these artists may pose for the country. The support we granted in the making of West Side Story and the National Theatre Festival symbolically represents the trust we place in the young generation of actors and musicians. They all deserve our applause ,support and admiration! Flavia Popa, General Secretary of BRD-Groupe Société Générale Photo: Petrică Tănase 23rd of October 2014
