• West Side Story (360° version)

8/18/19 (Sun), Tokyo

The highlight in this specially packaged production of the ever-popular West Side Story was not the show but the theater. Inspired reportedly by a similar venue in Amsterdam, the IHI Stage Around Tokyo has a donut-like structure with a stage that wraps around the audience, who sit at center on a revolving platform. Unlike Kabuki, where the stage revolves, it is the audience seating that turns in this case, stopping in each scene at the point at which a specific set has been arranged. Since the sets do not have to be struck for each scene, this allows for incredibly lifelike scenery decked out in eye-popping detail. Nearly all the locations – New York streets, tenement housing, dress shop – were more like movie sets than stage scenery. Doc’s drugstore happened to be positioned near the exit at intermission, and I nearly walked in, thinking it was the theater bar. The image that came to mind was the NBC Live musicals, which use huge sound stages rather than normal sets. This is complemented by intricate lighting effects and curtain projections (designed respectively by Broadway veterans Ken Billington and 59 Productions) as we revolve to the next scene, such as the shadows of a dancing Maria projected against the curtains as Tony strolls and sings her praises. The actors would often walk with us along the 360° stage or out into the audience as we revolve toward the next scene, passing other actively engaged set pieces along the way to create a continuous momentum. It was an innovative approach, to be sure.

Whether that in itself will appeal to audiences is an open question. Continue reading →