‘West Side Story’
Based on Shakespeare’s classic tale about a pair of star-crossed lovers, “West Side Story” offers a musical and modern twist to a romantic tragedy.
After hundreds of hours of practice and work, Utah State Theatre’s cast of theater and music students combine to add their own flare to the production appearing in the Morgan Theater April 14-15 and 19-22.
With music written by Leonard Bernstein and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, “West Side Story” has been a perenial favorite of music and theatre lovers alike since its Broadway premiere in 1957.
The production’s choreography is one way the cast can present a distinctive style and fresh approach to a well-known musical and avoid possible tediousness, choreographer Artemis Preeshl said. The focus on dance in the musical allows an enormous amount of originality and personality to be displayed, Preeshl added, particularly in the most difficult scene, the gym.
In the gym (a choreographer’s dream or nightmare Preeshl said), a cast of 42 members is required to demonstrate talent in five different dance styles including the jitterbug, mambo, cha-cha, jump and paso doble. Though Preeshl said teaching these specific dances to a cast with different abilities is a patient process, the cast takes pride in the overall effect.
Amber Orlfe, one of the production’s dance captains playing the role of Velma, noted that her part consisted of only one line. Yet Orlfe said she makes the best of her performance by defining her character’s relationship with other actors and actresses on stage.
Kurt Christensen, a dance captain playing the role of Chino, also finds explanations for his character’s actions, like the way he dances with all the women besides the woman he is engaged to. By establishing an imagined background with other actors and actresses, Christensen hopes to portray a multi-faceted interpretation of Chino, inspiring a unique element of the musical that gives this production of West Side story a distinctive depth.
The set is based on a design by the productions’s set designer and technical director Bruce Duerden. Though a number of different designs were suggested, he ultimately decided to use a city roof top. Duerden said this basic setting will allow the flow of the story to go uninterrupted but still achieve the desired surroundings.
Some cast members, including Mike Gardner who plays Action, found the integration of a live symphony and the use of microphones and other technical details of the play difficult to adjust to.
“This musical requires the cast to accomplish performing, singing and dancing, which creates a real challenge,” Gardner said.
Preeshl adds that in the theater business, that’s referred to as a “triple threat.” Perfecting dance, music and acting elements alone can be a difficult undertaking, yet the greater challenge to some may be playing a role that is distinctly separate from their own personality.
Jed Broberg, who plays A-Rab, addresses this difficulty with humor saying he’s had to “work on being a tough guy.”
Along with Broberg, other cast members are presented with the challenge of using an accent or attempting to portray a different ethnicity.
Kimberly Roderick, the actress who plays Maria, said she added her own style to the part in the hope that the audience would catch the vision of growing into the character. She described her process of characterization as an evolution, forming from the interaction of other characters and the way that interaction influences and refined the character.
Hopeful that the audience will detect this progression, Roderick said that audience members can relate to at least one character in the story, learning from their lives and how it can enrich their own.
“It’s got everything: Humor, love and tragedy,” Roderick said.
For the cast members, the production has greater meaning after seeing the production come together and being an integral part of the result.
“It’s a classic story with a timeless message of love and forgiveness of which every generation and every culture needs to be reminded,” Gardner said.
Tickets for “West Side Story” are available in the USU Ticket Office and are free for students with a valid ID. Adults can purchase tickets for $9, USU faculty for $7 and non-USU students for $6.
-cynthiadiane@cc.usu.edu
West Side Story boys sing. (Tyler Larson)
Tony and Maria (Tyler Larson)
West Side Story dancers (Tyler Larson)
Cast dancer. (Tyler Larson)