'West Side Story' lackluster

"WEST SIDE STORY," Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Ivins, through Sept. 3 (435-652-3300 or 800-746-9882). Running time: two hours, 30 minutes (one intermission).

IVINS — Maybe it was the draining heat wave that dulled the performance of Tuacahn's "West Side Story" on Friday evening before a less-than-full house.

That's as good an explanation as any for the show's lackluster opening sequence, which features a "gang" of clean-cut guys, the Jets, combing the stage, er, I mean the mean streets of New York, looking for the Sharks, a rival Puerto Rican gang invading the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, when we meet Riff (Scott Bleazard), the Jets' ringleader, he fails to build the needed tension or give us a reason to suspend disbelief.

Jason Celaya, who plays the Sharks' leader, Bernardo, is more convincing — both in his flamboyant swagger and thick Puerto Rican accent.

The Jets and the Sharks will eventually face off in a choreographed rumble that leaves their respective gang leaders dead, but not before we endure a number of dull scenes that set up the fatal fight.

While the cast members sing and dance well, there's still a need for the audience to feel emotionally engaged with the characters, which doesn't happen.

Clayborne Elder is lovestruck Tony, a Jet determined to win over Bernardo's little sister, Maria (Sarah Darling). Elder has a fine voice but seems miscast in this pivotal role. At no point do we believe that Tony is truly, passionately, madly in love with Maria, or that he's desperate to change what appears to be his destiny.

Darling, on the other hand, carries much of the show with her beautiful voice and delightful characterization of a young woman who falls hard for the wrong man. Even Darling, however, can't help us shake the nagging feeling that Maria ought to choose family over that wimpy American guy.

Maria's impassioned plea, offered after her beloved is shot and killed in front of her, reminds the audience that hate begets hate, and that hate kills. The lesson is timely, according to Marion Bentley's director's notes, in light of current conflicts between Muslims and Christians.

Several cast members offer notable performances, including Nicole Riding as Bernardo's girl Anita, Kenneth Cavett as drugstore owner Doc, and Christian Whelan as a bitter, angry, racist cop, Lieutenant Shrank.

John Wayne Cook's incredible scenic design and Michael G. Handley lighting both shine.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com