West Side Story

             Did you know that your fellow students and classmates are able to sing, dance, and perform an amazing Broadway production? Those who saw the performance of West Side Story do! 

            West Side Story is a Broadway play, with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein. West Side Story is set in New York City during the mid-1950s; the musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Mr. Parker, the director of drama at the High School, directed West Side Story, along with the help of his students, brought together a spectacular play full of fantastic singers and suspenseful actors. Each audience was left feeling amazed at what talent the students and peers beheld, and talking about which scene or song was their favorite. The dark theme, extended dance scenes, and sophisticated music marked an important point in Broadway productions, and the focus on social problems changed things for American musical theatre. Popular songs are featured throughout the play such as "Jet Song", which the entire Jets gang sings towards the beginning of West Side Story. "Maria", another popular song in West Side Story, is sung by Tony, played by Tim Cooper, after the dance between the Jets and the Sharks. Tony reminisces and sings about meeting Maria for the very first time. During the song "Maria", the crowd perceived exactly how in love he was with each note that was sung and many claimed they were "on the edge of their seats" waiting to hear all of the other students sing. Bernstein's score for the musical has become extremely popular.

            I sat down with Mr. Parker, and asked him some questions about the play. Parker played Glad Hand, the chaperone at the dance between the Jets and the Sharks, and also as Doc, owner of the Drug Store. Parker and the students rehearsed Monday-Thursday from 4-8. Rehearsal lasted this way for about 10-11 weeks and held out till 9pm closer to show time. When asked how well all of the students and he worked together to make the play happen, Parker replied, "Everybody got along real well. My thespian president, Connor Goad, and Maggie Rubben choreographed the play.” West Side Story had many dance scenes, and acrobatics performed by the students throughout the play keeping the audience closely watching. “Our backstage manager was Michael Holeman, Cody Harris running sound, Bree Rose opening curtains,” who all did a fantastic job keeping the play going, “and Chance Minton on construction," who made most of the props and the set for West Side Story. Throughout the play the members of the Sharks from Puerto Rico are mocked by the Jets. Riff, played by Tyler Bradshaw, is the leader of the Jets, a white working-class group who intend on keeping their "turf". Tony one of the Jets, and the young protagonist, falls in love with Maria, played by Erin Kandlbinder, the sister of Bernardo. Connor Goad played as Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. Everyone that was working on the play and helping out really brought it all together, especially for opening night.

            Opening night was "Scary," Parker says "I knew we were ready, and I knew the students would do perfect, but you can't help but get a little bit nervous." Parker also says the "best performance and the most realistic was the Saturday night performance." A portion of the play was performed for the Junior High November 11th and for the High School on the 12th. When asked how each audience the play was performed for differed, Parker replied. "Junior High was really good and responsive. Once the High School got into the show, they were really good, and I wish we could've done the whole thing for them. Afterwards we got so many compliments from teachers, and from students." Mr. Parker and his students brought the emotion and dark theatrics of West Side Story right off the stage and into the audience. I asked Parker how he wanted people to feel while watching the play, "I just wanted them to be impressed with the level of difficulty that we were able to pull off." Parkers' favorite part of the play was seeing everybody come together. "The students were the ones who made it happen and that's really my favorite part."

            Connor Goad who played Bernardo, also helped choreograph the play, which he said, "part of it we copied just from the movie, but mostly we were just creative and it was fun." The extended dance scenes seemed hard to incorporate, but the students had a fun time working together to learn the choreography. When asked how it was working with everyone to rehearse for West Side Story, Goad said, "Sometimes difficult, but everyone was really focused and ready for the job, so it was productive." West Side Story’s' opening night wasn't just exciting for the audience but also the cast. Goad says opening night was, "Exhilarating. It was so much fun, everyone was really excited." I asked what Goads' favorite part of the play was, he replied, "I like the sense of family that was built from the cast, the story itself, and the music of course."

            West Side Story was presented in the Lake Hamilton High School auditorium on November 11th and 13th and 7 p.m. and a matinee performance was at 2 p.m. the 14th. West Side Story showed many students what their peers were capable of doing, and many students claimed they were very impressed by their talents. Parents, teachers, and peers left the play proud of how well the students worked to reach what they had been working so timelessly on. Through all the preparations, late practices, and students working together, West Side Story turned out wonderful and fun for both cast and crowd.

       Ashley Hill