Orlando Shakes Theatre Play
The West Side story production put on by the Orlando Shakes theatre was written by play right Stephen Sondheim, and directed by Jim Helsinger. This play had spectacular acting, music and choreography, costume design, scenery, lighting, use of environmental sounds, and centralized messages. While sitting down to watch this play in the company of my ex boyfriend we had a few laughs over what was said. Tony being a Polish boy like me, and Maria being a Puerto Rican like my ex we had a bit of a connection to this play, this led us to a bit more of somber topic of why they were doing this play. My ex, and I used to visit Pulse Latin night all the time before the massacre, and could see a direct reference between the show, and tension felt from the
…show more content…
The Sharks a Puerto Rican gang wore more traditional style spanish clothing that always incorporated the colors red and black. The Jets a rivaling white gang wore clothing time appropriate for a 1960’s teenager, like collared bowling shirts, and plain t-shirts. The Jets also kept with a color scheme of blue and white. One of my favorite scenes that sums up the great job the costumes did on making the play great was when Anita, the girlfriend of Bernardo, at the beginning of the play is creating a dress for Maria, Bernardo's sister, who is constantly teasing Anita telling her that the dress should not make her look to up tight. After a good bit of whining Maria finally puts on a beautiful white dress, and continues to spin in front of the mirror admiring herself. In one of the most moving scenes of the play when everyone on stage is wearing white to symbolize purity, and innocence after two influential characters have been stabbed to death. The people who have been stabbed come out in the same white clothing, but it is covered in blood to show. This choice of clothing shows the death of innocence of the young boys who have been corrupted after the murders they committed.
Light played a large role in making the dancers stand out in such a close space. Ellipsoidal usage during the Mambo dance number was happening was the most noteable light useage. The dancers spun as if they were tops in a children's game. The dancing was complimented by a red gel that made the women's black, red, and white dresses pop with just a little bit of extra latin
The Sharks a Puerto Rican gang wore more traditional style spanish clothing that always incorporated the colors red and black. The Jets a rivaling white gang wore clothing time appropriate for a 1960’s teenager, like collared bowling shirts, and plain t-shirts. The Jets also kept with a color scheme of blue and white. One of my favorite scenes that sums up the great job the costumes did on making the play great was when Anita, the girlfriend of Bernardo, at the beginning of the play is creating a dress for Maria, Bernardo's sister, who is constantly teasing Anita telling her that the dress should not make her look to up tight. After a good bit of whining Maria finally puts on a beautiful white dress, and continues to spin in front of the mirror admiring herself. In one of the most moving scenes of the play when everyone on stage is wearing white to symbolize purity, and innocence after two influential characters have been stabbed to death. The people who have been stabbed come out in the same white clothing, but it is covered in blood to show. This choice of clothing shows the death of innocence of the young boys who have been corrupted after the murders they committed.
Light played a large role in making the dancers stand out in such a close space. Ellipsoidal usage during the Mambo dance number was happening was the most noteable light useage. The dancers spun as if they were tops in a children's game. The dancing was complimented by a red gel that made the women's black, red, and white dresses pop with just a little bit of extra latin