WEST SIDE STORY "COOL" Stratford Playhouse

The Stratford Playhouse at Stratford High School in Houston, TX performs their version of "Cool" from the musical West Side Story.

[@chrisfrenchnyc]

My. Jaw. Is. On. The. Floor. I cannot BELIEVE that you even had the ambition to do the original Robbins choreography, and to see this many of you performing it THIS well... just astonishing. People have no idea how hard some of those moves are. JET GIRLS, you absolutely OWNED those moments. And killer solos from Action & Baby John. So amazingly proud of you all.

[@RP5]

This performance is truly amazing, you're correct. My high school is about to perform Westside Story one week from today and we're doing original Jerome Robbins choreography as well. I play Action and when I tell you how many hours we've ran this number, it's insane. I am really looking forward to blowing away the audience the way the Jets did in the Stratford Playhouse edition.

[@MathOnMain]

Outstanding! From the singing ability of the actors, to the dancing ability (so moves were a bit rough but that's to be expected), to the lighting, to the camera shots; this looks so professional. Almost can't believe it's a high school production.

[@kechkur2800]

juan@ me too

[@barbapapa9741]

that is exactly what I was thinking. an outstanding performance! 😀😀😘

[@ljdeacon3845]

one of the best musical numbers in the world, done justice.

[@thomaskuklenski2545]

Wow for a high school production this is actually really good. Props.

[@detectivefiction3701]

+Thomas Kuklenski Oh, I think it's fantastic!! And "high school" is no longer a synonym for "mediocrity." There is absolutely wonderful work being done all the time at the high school level.

[@BettinaBalser]

I have seen professional productions of this show that are not this impressive. I love it.

[@ljdeacon3845]

I absolutely love seeing good theatre programs with good budgets. Art was made. Beautifully.Im auditioning for this in a few weeks and can not wait to do this number.

[@CincinnatiRon]

Outstanding! These kids show a lot of maturity and bring forth the spirit of this legendary musical. The women, especially, are great in this number. Definitely not an easy show to do, requires a lot of endurance. These kids really seemed to embrace this . . .

[@corvus1374]

not only excellent dance, but I'm impressed with the multiple cameras and the great editing of this clip. Bravo.

[@ryanm7654]

soooo good and the fact it was so good before even hitting a university level 😍😍😍

[@anitacalloway3032]

At first I thought it was a mistake for any non-dancers to attempt Jerome Robbins choreography. But yr mixture of ones with and without dance training made it all good. Impressively decent job. This is a tribute to your hard work, energy, and great coaching.

[@WWAHP]

The cast did an outstanding job, but don't forget to give props to the musicians too, they also did an outstanding job.

[@cruptbside]

That, ladies and gentelmen, was accurate. Excellent work kids.

[@detectivefiction3701]

Oh, and two more things...1.) I love how you were able to re-create that famous "Jerome Robbins moment" of the group formation moving downstage at 4:46, and 2.) even the orchestra sounds good, and this is a very challenging score to play.

[@jordankaplan8329]

super impressive video I could hear everything clearly and the picture part wasn't blurry

[@joeenglert]

I was just noticing Diesel...geez, for a big guy he sure has some very acrobatic moves....pretty impressive...the rest of the cast is just beyond great

[@christianknight727]

I love that all 3 versions of this song (Broadway, 1961 film, and 2021 film) are all unique and different from one another giving us 3 great versions of this song.

[@phangirlable]

Fricking amazing!

[@user-sx7wo1yl7y]

Incredibly difficult music, and incredible performances for high schoolers.

[@kathicampbell9258]

OUTSTANDING!!!!!

[@aplleyva]

Very impressive , set , performance, the orchestra, Kudos to All involved

[@danielsiegel1046]

A real accomplishment. Kudos to all, especially Riff.

[@isimontero6826]

Omg this is amazing....no words

[@cruptbside]

I hope every on of these kids has earned a scholarship to SOME college for SOMEthing. That means actors, dancers, musicians, camera operators, stagers etc. Fantastic. Applause, applause, applause ....

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

So, as a former theatre kid, one that prefered being in musicals than plays, I initially thought it was not the best choice to go so OG choreography (I was looking for something else, stumbled on this and checked it out, but didn't have really any context) because the scene is so, iconic and the moves and that angles with a camera and having options for more takes etc. Just makes it... illogical and overly ambitious, but even if done correctly, it's been done before and likely better, again and again... That's where I started. I've seen the musical performed live, variously, and watched the film many times, but never had the pleasure of doing so myself. This was really, quite well done. Just flat out. Knowing they weren't professional dancers and actors to the degree of an iconic film, they really still were able to embody the moments, which is no small feat for ANYONE. Taking a little effort to see what's going on and who, just adds to the impressive quality of the outcome here. I've done various dance numbers, been given the dancers equivalent to a solo in a similar high school setting, and even been pushed to greater heights of difficulty by choreographers because they knew I could meet the challenge, and even teach and choreograph others or influence that aspect of a production as such a level, but this, is really something to be proud of for everyone involved, because it isn't a few skilled dancers, it's a team of dedicated performers doing justice to a professional scene, that isn't easy for professionals. Kudos to you, and all involved. Big risk, big payoff, even from someone that started out watching it and thinking it was not a great choice with limited info. Well done. Standing ovation.

[@davids6898]

A little too fast. A bit slower tempo allows for the spider web-like quality of the score to come through. That being stated for a high school production they all did quite a good job considering.

[@ualflygal]

That was OUTSTANDING!!! BRAVO!!

[@clbomo67]

First Rate. I saw the original on Broadway so many years ago...this is SUCH a great recreation . What talented people you all are!

[@mystrokeyboardist]

ALL OF THE KIDS IN THIS PRODUCTION NEEDS TO RUN TO HOLLYWOOD AND GET A TALENT AGENT ASAP!!! BRAVO!!!

[@Maggielicious21]

This was a damn fine production!

[@chrisbungostudios]

That's an amazing lead trumpet we hear at 5:34. Nice playing!

[@meluuunia6949]

Take a shot every time someone says “boy” But no really this production is AMAZING AS HECKKKK

[@glabella7920]

Great and the music. Great Loved it very detailed Pete sr siny

[@2thePtBassTuT]

Great! I want to see the whole production!! :^)

[@richardmcmurry9102]

Fantastic!!!!

[@salcedo47]

Awesome Guys! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@redfox-bs4cq]

This is awesome!

[@Gkh_lx]

fantastic! very similar to the dance routine in the film really impressive and a good lighting design. I cant believe that this is a high school?!?!

[@internaliproductions2177]

This is excellent!

[@elfowl6873]

Really good!!!!!!

[@MultiEquations]

Can you please upload the whole musical?

[@jmnny85]

That was impressive! 😃👏👍

[@edwardmartinez]

Beautifully done in control.

[@user-eo9um6td4c]

good show

[@Cablecol]

I'm super impressed🎶💯👏...these are high school kids?? They can all be very proud of this production.👍 This was performed in 2014-- I wonder what they are doing nowadays on 2023.💖

[@cory3518]

Damn this is so good!!

[@treytostie1408]

like this song.

[@ericascott626]

I know right 😮❤ ..

[@countalucard4226]

The kid who started at 3:10 was very good.

[@barbapapa9741]

That is the choreography from the movie (jerome robbins)

[@kechkur2800]

it’s not from the movie it’s from the broadway show! 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡 ok riff please come to my house and cool me down 😡

[@corvus1374]

After watching all of this show multiple times now, I have to say that McGregor Dalton is the star of the production.

[@mcgregordalton]

corvus13 ty :)

[@parley78]

Which one is he? Riff?

[@corvus1374]

@@parley78 yes

[@parley78]

@@corvus1374 thanks, yeah, he’s phenomenal. Do you know if he still acts or sings?

[@corvus1374]

@@parley78 I just looked him up, he's performing in Japan right now.

[@SeaSparklesLP]

Every clip I've seen from you guys is really well done! I was very impressed by the choreography in America and the title song in Anything Goes; you can tell everyone is very committed to their dance. My main grievance though is that I wish the actors related to their characters more so they could deliver their lines naturally. You can tell they wanted to be certain ways (flirty, threatening, mature), but they come off as high school students and it's hard to take in the stories when there's no suspension of disbelief. That said, will you be posting clips from The Addams Family? I'd love to see Full Disclosure.

[@michaelg3074]

Well done.

[@jmromerogomez1416]

Estupenda interpretación. Felicidades.

[@sirkkuhoikkala3601]

This is very good! Congrats!

[@needleboy17]

Perfect music for puzzle games.

[@alexvalencic8942]

Excellent

[@nickcomposer]

Is there a way to purchase this performance on DVD? I looked on the Stratford Playhouse website and didn't see a place where DVDs can be ordered.

[@laurenjcoates]

Really cool lighting design!

[@vfutrell2416]

Very good

[@fernandabluntkrasinski9026]

I said it again, the actor who plays Riff looks like to Ansel Elgort, the actor who will play Tony in the Steven Spielberg remake of West Side Story coming in 2020

[@kechkur2800]

no no he looks like young mickey kallan how do i know him if i’m nine?

[@christianknight727]

I don’t see it but I do think he sounds a lot like Mike Faist who played Riff in the 2021 film.

[@joeenglert]

I really would love to see more musicals from this particular group...I am assuming they did more as they were at Stratford for at least three years? So I am a big fan of the 1. WSS 2. By By Birdie and 3. Chicago...So those 3 accounted for one year? So I'm hoping to see more in the future...if possible...

[@THATBILLMOORE]

So, WSS was Feb.2014, Chicago was Fall of 2014, and Bye Bye Birdie was Feb. 2015. Their big show in Feb. 2013 was “Crazy for You”. 2012 was “Will Roger’s Follies”. Those are the musicals that I shot and edited and posted some of. Also check out dramatic stuff they did - “Almost Maine” and “The 39 Steps”.

[@tb4522]

Who's Riff? He was great!

[@veronicageorge3825]

the music sounds similar to the music used in the last episode of phineas and ferb.

[@barbapapa9741]

2:55 the movie choreography is showing up ....

[@kechkur2800]

i have no dancing experience but i know every move to the prologue and cool

[@4021971]

This is a difficult number that is done well. I don't even think anyone can surpass the original movie though. That won't ever happen again.

[@raz3905]

I know this is part of the musical but there were so many double negatives in between 0:38 and 0:43

[@MichaelDJ68]

Good job!

[@needleboy17]

*Cool.*

[@GospelOutside]

This is BROADWAY worthy!

[@johnfennessy3117]

As Butch said to Sundance... Who ARE these guys. As good as it gets.

[@raymondruiz5839]

Nice job.

[@kechkur2800]

i’m a big big fan of wss

[@orangexlightning]

This play makes me wish I wasn't half Black half white. I love the Jets.

[@barbapapa9741]

could it be that they use the coreography from the movie (Jerome Robbins)?

[@chlomo368_2]

super cool

[@chlomo368_2]

i know right it’s pretty cool

[@chlomo368_2]

literally

[@kechkur2800]

this seems like a movie because of the cuts

[@veronicageorge3825]

What is this school's budget for their theater department ?

[@THATBILLMOORE]

Not really sure what the school's budget is, but I do know that the program has a very active Booster Club with parents who donate a lot of time helping with costumes and such, plus different fund-raising events to help out.

[@cindchan]

You kids did a really good job on these dance numbers! But the lighting is a bit odd, as it blacks out and is too dark a lot of times.

[@lpslovergirl1234]

Why are they walking into doc’s??? Isn’t that for Gee Officer Krupke?? Why are they doing that scene before Cool? Cool is supposed to be after Riff dies

[@THATBILLMOORE]

Cool is Riff's song ... so not sure how he's supposed to do it after he dies - he's prepping the Jets for their meeting with the Sharks pre-rumble.

[@lpslovergirl1234]

Bill Moore okay but when cOoL is preformed, it’s after riff dies in the movie version. So why is riff alive for cool and why are they going to docs before the rumble?

[@THATBILLMOORE]

@@lpslovergirl1234 - this production does it exactly as it was done in the original stage version - this is not the movie version. Things were changed and adapted differently for the movie.

[@lpslovergirl1234]

Bill Moore oooooooooooooo I had no idea, my bad

[@THATBILLMOORE]

@@lpslovergirl1234 That's OK - I didn't know the movie was the way you described until just recently (I've never actually seen the movie from start to finish - only in bits and pieces).

[@kenzie1r016]

Choreo is amazing in this but their riff was a little flat on a lot of notes :/

[@BethElaineSmith]

Kenzie Elizabeth that's the origin Jerome Robbins Choreo

[@mattbrown2190]

Beth Smith They have to use the original Jerome Robbins choreo because they signed a contract with Musical Theatre International. I have to use his choreo right now in my production of WSS

[@hasmiktumasyan846]

action is to west side story as race is to newsies

[@SchoolDaze13]

Did they purposely make Anybodys look exactly like Juno?

[@user-vo3wl4mm3z]

これが？近所にいるんだから不思議だよな？？

[@drock276]

lol

[@gatoman3002]

i can't take riff seriously with that thing on his forehead! what is that? he looks like a little princess, or a druid carrying a little glass of potion or a tiny flower, what the heck is that??

[@THATBILLMOORE]

That's his stage microphone

[@gatoman3002]

i want a stage mic to wear daily.

[@user-vo3wl4mm3z]

マヤ！あのこにあいたい！はるさん、だめですよ！めかみえないのに

[@onishake5740]

ぬるい笑笑

[@noxomox]

it was ok . . .