From Deseret News archives:
'West Side' has energy, emotion
Issues explored in landmark '50s musical still timely
CENTERVILLE With warfare in the Middle East constantly in the news and tempers flaring closer to home over immigration and racial issues, the landmark musical "West Side Story," about hatred and tension in the streets of New York City in the 1950s, is as topical as ever.
Director Alane Schofield is blessed with a youthful cast, many of them newcomers to the Rodgers Memorial Theatre stage, and they infuse the classic spin on "Romeo and Juliet" with raw energy, as the American-born Jets rumble with the Puerto Rican Sharks in a deadly gang battle that underscores the futility of war.
Benjamin Christian Plowman and Melissa Cecala are perfectly cast as the star-crossed young lovers Tony, who is trying to shed his old, hot-headed gang ways, and Maria, anxious to test her wings in her newly adopted homeland. They perform and sing with such emotion that the characters are entirely believable.
Their circle of feuding friends include hot-tempered Bernardo (Nathan Mikami), the sensuous Anita (Taylor Allred), combustible Riff (Cameron Kapetanov) and feisty Anybodys (Jenessa Bowen).
Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's score is timeless and powerful, from the lyrical and poetic "Something's Coming" and "Somewhere" to the rhythmic "America" to the show-stopping "Gee, Officer Krupke."
Maurie Tarbox's musical direction, Susan S. Holland's choreography (a mix of wildly energetic and ballet), Jennifer Johnson's costumes and Josephine Bradbury's terrific scenery are all major pluses.
There was one slight distraction on opening weekend during the scene change when Maria's balcony was being moved somewhat noisily into place.
E-mail: ivan@desnews.com
Recent comments
I have fond memories of this show. . . .
Loved It | July 11, 2008 at 9:11 a.m.
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