Fresh

buttered and salty

‘West Side Story’

HHH1/2 PG-13, 2 hours 36 minutes – Drama, Crime, Musical Opens today

Let’s lay the cards on the table right out of the gate here: I don’t particularly like musicals. I’ve declared as much before in this column but considering the subject matter of this review, it bears repeating. I’ve never liked them. I grew up acting in theater before the age of 12 and always kept them at an arm’s length.

“Are you going to audition for ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’?” Nope.

“Will you be trying out for ‘Grease’ this spring?” Not interested.

Don’t be tempted to ask if people actually wanted to hear me sing any of the numbers from these shows. I’ll spoil that one for you now: probably not.

Musicals have just never worked for me. I’m a drama or comedy guy (sans singing), save for a few select musicals I actually do like (“Hamilton” comes to mind in recent history). Because of this I wasn’t especially looking forward to the screening of “West Side Story” like I would most Steven Spielberg films. Well color me shocked! Fifty years after his feature film debut, Mr. Spielberg has delivered a wonderful and perfectly cast remake of the 1961 classic musical about forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks. Those darn songs were stuck in my head all evening!

If you are going to take on the challenge of remaking such a beloved classic of both stage and screen, the first thing audiences are going to look at is the casting of Tony and María, played this time by Ansel

Elgort and Rachel Zegler, respectively. Unsurprisingly, Spielberg has nailed the casting. The duo have exceptional chemistry and are wonderful together, especially Zegler (this is her first Joshua B. Porter feature film), who absolutely carries this

Democrat correspondent movie with charm and heart. High marks for Ariana DeBose who plays Anita as well. DeBose delivers an energetic and fiery performance that might catch the attention of voters during awards season as a possible “Best Supporting Actress” contender. Unsurprisingly, the film looks incredible. Cinematographer Janusz Kaminski — who has worked with Steven Spielberg since 1993’s Best Picture winner “Schindler’s List” — photographs Production Designer Adam Stockhausen’s sets with flair and zest. The camera zooms back and forth between characters during the musical numbers and the wonderful choreography, capturing the excitement and mood of the film throughout. A classic story based directly on “Romeo and Juliet,” “West Side Story” plays with issues of love, race, gentrification and violence. I’m a sucker for the unrequited love aspect, be it because of race, religion or class, and composer Leonard Bernstein and lyricist Stephen Sondheim delivered music and a story that feels just as fresh today as it did 60-plus years ago. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a few nominations for Mr. Spielberg’s remake. It’s the kind of film the Academy Awards loves and it’s expertly made by one of the best of all time. Joshua B. Porter is a writer/director/ producer. His most recent project, the feature film “No Evidence OF Man,” is now being submitted to festivals. He still needs more sleep and can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@mtdemocrat.net.

Winter lights festival comes to Tahoe

Tahoe Daily Tribune

The holidays are coming in hot at Lake Tahoe as the city of South Lake Tahoe presents this year’s Festival of Winter Lights.

The multi-day event will run Friday, Dec. 10, to Sunday, Dec. 12, at the South Lake Tahoe Museum, 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd. The city partnered with the Lake Tahoe Historical Society to put on the family-friendly event to kick off the winter season.

“It’s a winter celebration designed to bring our community back together during the holiday season,” said the city’s Special Events Coordinator Emily Abernathy.

From 4-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10-11, the city and the historical society will host an variety of events and activities, including an outdoor lighted holiday market with 20 local vendors sponsored by Winters Electric, photos with Santa Claus, carriage rides with Borges Slay Rides and holiday performances from the Lake Tahoe Unified School District choir. There will also be food trucks, hot drinks and live music from Bread and Butter.

On Friday night, guests can bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Live Violence Free.

On Sunday, Dec. 12, the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena will host a holiday Watch n’ Skate, with a special showing of the holiday favorite “Elf.” Those who bring a new toy to donate to Toys for Tots will receive a free skate rental.

For more information visit cityofslt. us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1819.

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