It's Show Time - West Side Story
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Launch the media gallery 1 player - media #9Star-Crossed Lovers in a Classic Musical
This weekend, USD382 will produce its fall show, the classic musical West Side Story, at Liberty Middle School’s auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 10th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 11th at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Based on a concept of Jerome Robbins with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the musical follows the love story of two teens caught in the conflict between legal immigrant Puerto Ricans and second-generation children of white immigrants --- warring in poor west side New York City in the late 1950s. in this fall musical, Pratt High Alum have played a large part in production as well as a strong and large cast of teenagers.
Particularly, PHS graduate Brittnee Hill co-choreographed the musical with director Rose Beilman, and Hill has drawn on her experience working with WSU music theatre and a New York City casting director there after performing in award-winning Smoky Joe’s Café, and Chicago. She worked hours in the summer as a volunteer planning much of the dance, inspired by Jerome Robbins’ original choreography. Then she rehearsed the young actors who had very little background dance experience. She also set up an instructional web site, so that actors could watch video of dance to practice and so that they could also watch how to put on stage make-up.
In addition, several other alumni have put in hours on the musical. Mitch Evans and Dakota Hankins helped Beilman to set lights for the show, while Jacob Schaefer was the videographer for dance practice. This allowed the students to rehearse on their own. Johnathon Hurt worked on sets, while Zach Stone has helped with the complex sound, involving 20 actors on mics. Katie Buhler aided her mom, Sue, with constructing and designing costumes for the show.
For a musical that requires that most of the actors to be at most of the rehearsals, the cast has also shown a remarkable dedication to practice under vocal director, Brandon Wade; Hill, and Beilman. In addition to the usual acting and singing, the actors have “hoofed” their way into an energetic and lively performance.
Onstage, Tony and Maria (played by senior Bryce Stegman and junior Abby Domann) find themselves at odds with the cultures they live in when they fall in love at a high school dance. Two gangs battle over territory and turf, and the Jets strive to maintain their power in the neighborhood against the Sharks who have moved legally from Puerto Rico in search of a better life in New York.
The Jets are led by Riff, freshman Camdon NIckelson, who is surrounded by an energetic and angry group of teens. These characters are played by senior Joseph Stewart; juniors Kedric Spurgin, Drew Taylor, and Blake Becker; sophomores David Mathes, Dalton Davidson, and Jeff Kiley; freshman Donovan McAbee; and eighth graders Eli Staats and Joseph James. These young men sing such classic show tunes as “The Jet Song,” “Cool,” and “Gee Officer Krupke.”
Guest actor Josh Jacobs plays Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks, and a group of friends accompanies this leader as they fight the Jets: seniors Abe Fernandez, Brydan Whitfield, and Brandon Guerra; junior Jackson Dunn; sophomore Caden Donnenwerth; freshman Dylan Cox; 8th grader Rafe Donnenwerth; and 7th grader Ayden Stegman.
In this mix are the influential women who surround the men, including Anita, Bernardo’s girlfriend who loves her new life in New York. Junior Brynn Hampton plays Anita, while she and Maria are supported by a cast of Sharks “girls”: senior Natalie Bare; junior Amber Jellison Harris; sophomores Morgan Rogers, Payton Sheldon, and Allisan McGowan; freshmen Danielle Staats and Allison Clark; and community member Melissa Jacobs. These women sing the classic musical numbers “America,” and “I Feel Pretty” with Maria.
In addition, a young woman who is a Jets Wannabee and who is named Anybodys tries to insert herself into Jets life. This tomboy character is played by sophomore Aubrey Meyers. In contrast to Anybodys, a group of Jets girlfriends play the more traditional type. These cast members are junior Bridget Kiley; sophomore Madalynn Wilson – who has also been dance captain for the Jets in rehearsals , sophomore Hailey Hewatt; freshmen Kat Shanline and Elly Fowler; and 8th graders Bella Barker and Nikita Mehlhorn.
Other roles in the show include the “adult” parts, who are often in opposition to the teens in the plot. Senior Dillon Cochran plays Lieutenant Shrank. Guest community actors and parents include Gale Rose as Doc, Rich McGraw as Krupke, Jason Wiltshire as Gladhand, and Derese McAbee as Mrs. McDougall.
Duane Hanks plays piano for this complex musical score, as Brandon Wade plays keyboard and drums. Michelle Popovich is stage manager. Junior Isabelle Cannata designed the posters and programs. A large group of parents and community members have contributed hours to sets– led by Shaphan Staats, Jeremy Patterson, Shaphan Staats, Rick McDiffett, Allan Briney, Rich McGraw, and Bob Smith – and costumes, led by community volunteer Sue Buhler. A large backstage crew runs set changes and spotlights: Alaina Hedrick, Shawdra Bare, Ciara Hodgkinson, Kahrie Stegman, Alesha Bergner, Hugo Candia, Lindsey Bergner, Elise Coykendall, and Alex Gonzalez. Misty Beck and Scott Powell have designed sound.Because director Beilman expects a large crowd, if you would like to reserve seats, e-mail her at rose.beilman@usd382.com with the number for reservations. Also, you will need to buy tickets at the door. If you reserve by e-mail only, tickets will need to be bought by fifteen minutes before show time. This means you will need to get in the “will call” line by 7:10 p.m. on Saturday night, or by 1:40 p.m on Sunday afternoon. Please do not call Beilman nor leave messages by phone. She will accept reservations by e-mail only, due to teaching during show week.
This show is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers. The show contains some simulated, choreographed violence; some mild swearing; and mature themes.