👏 TRAINING. I’ve never seen a Tony approach this like the Shakespearean monologue that is actually is. Brilliant. Although “Maria” is nowhere near Sondheim’s most intricate lyric, it IS one of Bernstein’s most challenging melodies, and I love the approach, because it leta the actor lean not only into Sondheim’s lines, but Bernstein’s too. VERY cleverly done. Note how Mr. Powell seems to discover something *new* the first time he sings the famous tri-tone interval? A brilliant ACTING choice that gorgeously highlights how Sondheim knew how to ‘get out of the way’ when the music needed to do its work. Easily the most original performance of the song I’ve ever seen. Appropriately youthful, spunky, and exactly representing the kind of coming-of-age moment that Shakespeare so indelibly wrote for Romeo (“what light thru yonder window breaks?”). As another commenter pointed out, his ‘E’ vowels are extra delicious, but those final notes are absolutely gorgeous.
I'm in the minority, but I actually loved this production of WSS. This was the most compelling and believable WSS I'd ever seen. I was lucky enough to have seen it in previews December 2019. Apparently Sondheim was somewhere in the audience the night I went. Issac Powell was a revelation in the role, I thought. It's unfortunate that it never reopened. The Spielberg version wasn't bad. It just didn't have the edginess I loved in this revival.
I’m compelled by the juxtaposition of a Tony who presents like a contemporary gang member expressing his feelings through this beautiful, soaring music. Issac is exciting - I didn’t look away once.
Simply amazing, such incredible emotion in his voice! We missed this on Broadway but so love his voice. We were there right before in opened and it closed so fast that we didn't get back, broke my heart not to see him as Tony. This is a great gift for all WSS fans.
This production was equal parts exciting, innovative, and baffling. Isaac was the best part. Had he not gotten injured and the opening pushed back I have a feeling his awards shelf would be a little more occupied right now, especially considering the abbreviated season. I can't thank you enough for sharing this!
If you ask me, it was a big mistake for the Tonys to move forward with giving out competitive awards to a smaller pool of contenders than usual. I think it would’ve been a much better idea to have just given out honoree awards to the shows that opened during the abbreviated 2019-20 season. It especially did not help that the all the Best Musical nominees were pretty much these middle of the road/lowbrow jukebox shows.
Isaac Powell should've played Tony in Steven Spielberg's recent film adaptation. While I understand that Disney/Fox probably wanted them to cast an actor who general audiences were already familiar with, Ansel Elgort to me still came off as emotionally plain a lot of the time. I agree with others that he was easily the weak link of the cast.
Thank you so much for posting this video. I've always loved west side story. I was "chino" in a high school production of it and I saw Jack Wagner as Tony in west side story many years ago, at the westbury music fair. Isaac Powell has a phenomenal voice. He performs maria like I've never heard anyone else perform it. Many of us are deeply saddened that the broadway production never went on, due to the covid quarantine ban in new york. Hopefully isaac will star in another broadway production in the future. 🙏. PS he's also a great actor.
Beautiful voice on a good looking guy, but his movements and interpretation seemed a bit "boy band-ish". I loved the way he sang "Some Girls" in Once On This Island. Still a fan. He's very talented!
Please tell me there is more clips of this production. The only video bootleg we have is insanely low video resolution and no full stage picture. If you could possibly send me a link to this production I would die haha.
Thank you, auroraspiderwoman! Like the previous commenter, I have also NEVER seen a video of this production. It feels like a closely guarded secret. Either that or I’ve just lost my touch finding hidden bootlegs 🫣
Thx god this exists. Isaac is so gorgeous and talented omg
👏 TRAINING. I’ve never seen a Tony approach this like the Shakespearean monologue that is actually is. Brilliant. Although “Maria” is nowhere near Sondheim’s most intricate lyric, it IS one of Bernstein’s most challenging melodies, and I love the approach, because it leta the actor lean not only into Sondheim’s lines, but Bernstein’s too. VERY cleverly done. Note how Mr. Powell seems to discover something *new* the first time he sings the famous tri-tone interval? A brilliant ACTING choice that gorgeously highlights how Sondheim knew how to ‘get out of the way’ when the music needed to do its work. Easily the most original performance of the song I’ve ever seen. Appropriately youthful, spunky, and exactly representing the kind of coming-of-age moment that Shakespeare so indelibly wrote for Romeo (“what light thru yonder window breaks?”). As another commenter pointed out, his ‘E’ vowels are extra delicious, but those final notes are absolutely gorgeous.
Can we talk about the absolutely delicious vowel placement on "how wonderful a sound can *be*"? Truly, how wonderful.
I'm in the minority, but I actually loved this production of WSS. This was the most compelling and believable WSS I'd ever seen. I was lucky enough to have seen it in previews December 2019. Apparently Sondheim was somewhere in the audience the night I went. Issac Powell was a revelation in the role, I thought. It's unfortunate that it never reopened.
The Spielberg version wasn't bad. It just didn't have the edginess I loved in this revival.
I’m compelled by the juxtaposition of a Tony who presents like a contemporary gang member expressing his feelings through this beautiful, soaring music. Issac is exciting - I didn’t look away once.
wow the last note was like butter
Simply amazing, such incredible emotion in his voice! We missed this on Broadway but so love his voice. We were there right before in opened and it closed so fast that we didn't get back, broke my heart not to see him as Tony. This is a great gift for all WSS fans.
This production was equal parts exciting, innovative, and baffling. Isaac was the best part. Had he not gotten injured and the opening pushed back I have a feeling his awards shelf would be a little more occupied right now, especially considering the abbreviated season. I can't thank you enough for sharing this!
If you ask me, it was a big mistake for the Tonys to move forward with giving out competitive awards to a smaller pool of contenders than usual. I think it would’ve been a much better idea to have just given out honoree awards to the shows that opened during the abbreviated 2019-20 season. It especially did not help that the all the Best Musical nominees were pretty much these middle of the road/lowbrow jukebox shows.
Thank you Spiderwoman! I have never seen a single video of this production
This was the first show I saw on Broadway! I’m so sad there’s no cast recording, but this video just made my day!
This actually brought me to tears. I don't know who he is, but I'll never forgive Bway for not giving us this show again after the closures. 😭
I’ve been looking for this forever!!! Love him so much
YAASSS!! Isaac!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Thank you!!! I'd heard so much about Powell's performance, and it's wonderful to see actual footage of his interpretation.
this is actually unbelievable
Isaac Powell should've played Tony in Steven Spielberg's recent film adaptation. While I understand that Disney/Fox probably wanted them to cast an actor who general audiences were already familiar with, Ansel Elgort to me still came off as emotionally plain a lot of the time. I agree with others that he was easily the weak link of the cast.
Antonio Cipriano would’ve been good too
Thank you so much for posting this video. I've always loved west side story. I was "chino" in a high school production of it and I saw Jack Wagner as Tony in west side story many years ago, at the westbury music fair. Isaac Powell has a phenomenal voice. He performs maria like I've never heard anyone else perform it. Many of us are deeply saddened that the broadway production never went on, due to the covid quarantine ban in new york. Hopefully isaac will star in another broadway production in the future. 🙏.
PS he's also a great actor.
ohohohohohoh...better delivery than Jeremy Jordan!!! Unique and mesmerizing ..
I wasn't big on the staging of this revival, its condescending or the Bernardo's hiring, but this man and the rest of the cast were fabulous.
Hey! Do you have the full show by chance?
Beautiful voice on a good looking guy, but his movements and interpretation seemed a bit "boy band-ish". I loved the way he sang "Some Girls" in Once On This Island. Still a fan. He's very talented!
Maria
Please tell me there is more clips of this production. The only video bootleg we have is insanely low video resolution and no full stage picture. If you could possibly send me a link to this production I would die haha.
Is there any way to get a copy of this? I am desperate to have it!
@1:25 how does he do that without hurting his voice?
Maybe they pre-record and he lip sings the scream, mean girls did this w screams
I wondered the same thing. Breath support I guess?
The jacket is meant to be mustard yellow... and that's all I'll say :)
Look at us matching :)
The Coldwell Banker look was iconic but then he wasn't actually singing! The green screen was awesome for that scene.
Wrong director for this revival. (IMHO)
Thank you, auroraspiderwoman! Like the previous commenter, I have also NEVER seen a video of this production. It feels like a closely guarded secret. Either that or I’ve just lost my touch finding hidden bootlegs 🫣