Mt. Hebron High School Presents _West Side Story_

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Permalink Reply by Zack Neil on March 25, 2010 at 12:23am

If you passed the Mount Hebron High gym this evening you would not have heard whistles, cheerleaders, or sports calls. You would have heard tremendous singing, striking music, marvelous dancing, and awe-inspiring acting rang through Mount Hebron High as they performed Leonard Bernstein and Steven Sondheim’s West Side Story. The Vikings conquered their obstacle of theatre renovation by staging the show on their gym. Hebron’s gym transformed into a make-shift theatre complete with unique lighting, professional sound, and a magnificent orchestra. Director, Mr. Tom Sanky, did an excellent job in using the space for a musical.
This show is about the division of races that occurred during the fifties. The two gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, fight for dominance over a neighborhood. The Jets are the all-American gang led by Riff (played by Jerald Jordan) and flanked by girls Graziella (Rian Kirchhoff) and Velma (Rachel Petti). The Puerto Rican group is the Sharks whose leader is Bernardo (Will McCorn). Bernardo’s girlfriend is Anita (Sarah Miller) and Bernardo’s sister is Maria (Emily Roenigk). The story unfolds with the Sharks and the Jets fighting, but they are challenged by Officer Krupke (Theo Sgouros) and Lt. Schrank (Joe Strunk). Riff and Bernardo decide to have a fight, which they call a “rumble”. Riff wants Tony, a former Jet to join in on the rumble but Tony refuses. Meanwhile, Anita makes her friend, Maria a dress to wear at the neighborhood dance. Maria talks about her arranged marriage prospect to Chino, another member of the Sharks. At the dance, Tony and Maria link eyes from across the room, despite being separated by their gang associations. Just as they are about to kiss, Maria’s brother Bernardo intervenes and snatches his sister away. Bernardo and Riff decide to meet at Doc’s Candy Store to discuss a war. Tony finds Maria’s house and sings a beautiful song called, “Maria”. Maria and Tony confess their love for each other. At the candy store, Bernardo and Riff decide to fight under the highway. At the rumble, Bernardo fights a Jet named Diesel until Riff steps in. Bernardo eventually stabs Riff which causes Tony to stab Bernardo to defend his friend. Both Bernardo and Riff die.
At the beginning of Act Two, Maria enjoys making dresses with her friends in the bridal shop which is brought to an end when Chino tells his future bride that Bernardo is dead. Tony comes to Maria, who punches him until they decide to run away together. The Jets try to forget their loss but they find out that the Sharks want to kill Tony so they try to protect him from Chino, the new leader, and the rest of the Sharks. Anita, Bernardo’s girlfriend, mourns her loss with Maria. Maria confesses her love for Tony to which Anita tells her friend that Chino is after Tony with a gun. Since Lt. Schrank comes to question Maria, she tells Anita to tell Tony to wait. Tony is hiding at the candy bar with the Jets. The Jets don’t allow Anita to talk to Tony and end up raping her. Anita, in anger, tells them that Chino has killed Maria. Tony soon finds out and goes after Chino, believing Maria is dead. Chino shoots Tony and the show ends with a tearful speech from Maria about hatred and how it must end. The Jets and the Sharks band together to remove Tony’s body from the stage.
The leaders of the gangs were Jerald Jordan (Riff) and Will McCorn (Bernardo). Jordan played his character with a cool confidence and he has a magnificent voice. McCorn played Bernardo with superb strength and held onto his Puerto Rican accent throughout the show. Both actors portrayed realistic characters and led their groups in countless numbers. Joey Rodis (Tony) impressed the audience with his strong acting skills and striking voice. He had a fantastic stage presence which remained until the very end. Playing opposite Rodis was Emily Roenigk (Maria) who is Broadway-ready and a pleasure to watch. She kept her Puerto Rican accent throughout the show, even when singing. Her heartfelt monologue at the end of the show was hair-raising and well executed. Last, Sarah Miller played her part of Anita with a grand style, also maintaining her accent throughout the show. Her singing was a pleasure to hear and it was evident that Miller put a lot of heart into her brilliant character. The leads of this Hebron show are strong actors, singers, and dancers which put this show through the roof.
Hebron’s talents weren’t just onstage. The technical aspect of the show was also very impressive. The set was very well thought out and enhanced the story. A simple city alley hung in the back of the stage while a New York City flat perched on the downstage left corner. Each set change was carried out swiftly and accurately. The lighting was exciting and creative. The large orchestra played Bernstein’s music with professional precision.
Howard County is lucky to have the talent, craftsmanship, and creativity at Mount Hebron High. The Vikings managed to stage one of the most challenging Broadway musicals, not on a stage but on a simple gym floor. The music is complicated, the dancing is intricate, the fight scenes are complex. And yet, leave it to Hebron to fight these obstacles head-on and produce one of the best shows the area has ever seen. Due to the talent showcased here and the excellent execution, this production is truly one for the history books. It is a production that will be remembered for the music, lights, acting, dancing, singing, creativity, sets, effects and to top it all off, it was all done on a gym floor.

Permalink Reply by Chris Donaldson on March 30, 2010 at 2:57pm

In light of recent NCAA upsets, basketball fans see more than ever the deep rivalries between opposing teams - however, not even seven-foot college players could match the antagonism that unfolded this week under in Mt. Hebron’s gym under the spotlights during the school’s innovative production of Leonard Bernstein’s famed musical “West Side Story.”

One of the world’s most celebrated shows, “West Side Story,” opened on Broadway in 1957, pulling audiences far and wide to see for themselves what critics had dubbed so “spectacular” and “jaw-dropping.” Set in 1950’s New York City, the show follows a similar plot to “Romeo & Juliet,” focusing on an ongoing feud between two groups - the native “Jets” and Puerto Rican “Sharks.” However, when love’s tendons broach enemy lines, the gangs must reconcile or face dire consequences.

While stimulus spending promises next year’s Vikings a renovated arts department, Mt. Hebron’s director, Tom Sankey, relocated this show to the school’s gym, which added a unique element to the overall production. Despite their unconventional surroundings, the cast and crew still pulled off a fabulous production brimming with contagious energy, powerful vocals, and a resounding message. Ensembles such as the “Jets” and “Shark Girls” had remarkable stage presence in their respective numbers, “Cool” and “America,” their faces alive with raw emotion and their movements sharp and crisp. The cast also tackled Bernstein’s intricate score well, weaving their voices seamlessly into complex counterpoint melodies in “Tonight” and using strong diction to convey words and ideas in the “Jet Song.”

As Maria, Juliet’s theatrical counterpart, Emily Roenigk sang beautifully, her soaring soprano range and vibrato ideal for the character, while her dramatic transformation after her lover’s death left the show on the perfect note. In the role of her lover, Tony, Joey Rodis tackled his high tenor notes with zeal, switching easily between falsetto and chest voice, all the while maintaining the same wide eyed expression of love.

Sarah Miller was nothing short of incredible as Maria’s confidante, Anita, owing to her bold demeanor, dramatic emotional shifts, and flawless accent, while both Mike Krzysko and Logan Pryce (as Baby John and A-Rab) provided the Jets with excellent comedic timing, priceless facials, and passionate vocals. The dance team of Rachel Petti and Eddie Yacynych graced the quintessential second act ballet, their fluid movements, lifts and leaps ideal for such a dreamlike sequence.

In their makeshift wings and light booth, the stage crew maintained professionalism at such close proximity to audience members, working swiftly and silently to ensure a flawless production. The large orchestra, too, adapted well to the new sound qualities of the gym by following the performers to a tee, while adjusting speeds and tempos to the vocals and movements of the actors.

Performing a show such as “West Side Story” is never an easy task, but Mt. Hebron’s ability to both build a stage and successfully renew Bernstein’s magic upon it should definitely be applauded. “Ya done good, buddy boys!”

Permalink Reply by Allison Woodhouse on March 30, 2010 at 3:09pm

Everyone knows the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet: boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, girl is wary of the consequences but falls for him anyway, girl dies, boy dies, the end. Not the happiest of tales, is it? The same is true of Mt. Hebron’s production of the classic musical West Side Story.

The musical opens full of anticipation and hope, and ends in utter sadness and misery. Over the course of just a few short days, new love is founded, then lost again; new friendships are formed, some broken and others made stronger.

The young people of New York City in the 1950s were divided between the Jets, a trouble causing gang of American boys, and the Sharks, the unwanted Puerto Rican immigrants. The lovely and exceptionally talented Emily Roenigk dazzled the audience with her beautiful vocal abilities and near perfect potrayal as the Juliet-esque Maria. Tony, her personal Romeo played by Joey Rodis, constantly looked as eager and adoring as a young boy experiencing first love. Together, Tony and Maria’s versions of “Maria” and “Tonight” charmed the audience. Maria’s friend Anita, the sassy and energetic Sarah Miller, brought life and excitement to numbers like “America.”

A-RAB, the goofy Logan Pryce, and animated Mike Krzysko as Baby John livened up the already hilarious tune “Gee, Officer Krupke.” While joking seemed to come naturally to them, both characters could switch gears and become serious and regretful. Riff, played by Gerald Jordan, was well cast as the leader of the Jets, with his strong speaking voice and mannerisms.

All together, the ensemble worked well to create the mood for the production; they were boisterous when called for, and completely serious moments later. At times the cast was so silent and somber, the audience held its breath, waiting for whatever would happen next.

The scene in the gym was very realistically done, mostly because the show took place in Mt. Hebron’s very own gym. Although the orchestra was situated off to the side, the cast still managed to stay in sync with the music throughout the show. The set was simple, but still performed its duty adequately. Some scene shifts were awkward, but unavoidable given the space provided. This being said, the crew worked through such moments, using light to their advantage, focusing attention on the actors, not the stage crew.

“Somewhere there’s a place for us,” and that place is in the auditorium (or gym) at Mt. Hebron, enjoying their production of West Side Story.

Permalink Reply by Sam Engel on March 30, 2010 at 4:39pm

Typically in Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” only one scene takes place in a gym. Instead of just the one scene, however, Mount Hebron High School’s entire production could’ve been titled, “The Dance at the Gym.” The audience sat in bleachers and chairs instead of folding seats to watch Mount Hebron’s entertaining performance of “West Side Story.”

Based on Shakespeare’s classic tale of Romeo and Juliet, “West Side Story” involves two gangs in New York City during the 1950’s. The White “Jets” and Puerto Rican “Sharks” battle for territory as Tony (a Jet) and Maria (a Shark) reject racial tensions and fall in love.

In a story about love, the leading lovers, Tony and Maria, are key. Joey Rodis (Tony) captured the wide-eyed-lover look that challenged gang intolerance. His coping with Bernstein’s tricky dissonances, as in “Maria,” and his ventures into falsetto distinguished Rodis’s solos. Maria (Emily Roenigk) was a fitting vocal counterpart for Rodis, managing to keep her Puerto Rican accent even in song. Roenigk delivered in her acting as well, portraying a mourning Maria with vivid emotion.

Although the solo songs were excellent, this production’s numbers only improved as the ensemble size increased. In particular, the small ensembles played a key role in depicting the gang atmosphere. Even in performance, the Sharks and the Jets had differences. The Sharks’ songs shone. They nailed the harmonies in “America” and “I Feel Pretty.” They sang and danced with an infectious enthusiasm; they had fun. The Jets excelled more in their acting. Individuals like A-RAB (Logan Pryce) and Baby John (Mike Krzysko) emoted as if they were leads. “Gee, Officer Krupke,” a Jet feature, was hilarious, due to well-executed comic choreography. In general, though, the Jets’ interactions with adults such as Doc (Matt Koch) or Lt. Schrank (Joe Strunck) led to high-emotion scenes. Careful use of silence created a powerful effect.

Again, as the ensemble grew, so did the energy. While the full cast was on stage, there was chaos. This occasionally had negative effects on the show; the larger dance numbers were not as choreographically together. But for the most part, chaos served as a useful tool. Ordered chaos evoked gang life. In the opening and the rumble, deliberate blocking conveyed the disorder of territory war. This lent excitement to the large numbers.

Being in a gym only made the quality of the technical aspects more impressive. Lighting with so few resources was excellent. Effects with blue and red lights accented the racial division between gangs. The pit orchestra knew how to play vocal jazz, backing away for singers then wailing during breaks and dance numbers. The cast, though in a gym, made tremendous use of four exits and entrances on the set.

And the production’s odd setting, the school gym, worked. It didn’t only serve as a correct backdrop for two different scenes. The gym, with its connotation of disorganized sports and high-school youth, conveyed two of the play’s main ideas: chaos on the street and tragically young death. The gym-setting, then, is indicative of the production as a whole. Actors’ enthusiasm, accented by technical elements, captured the idea, the energy, and the emotion of a West Side Story.

Permalink Reply by Cecilia Farley on March 30, 2010 at 4:53pm

Who would have thought that a high school gymnasium in Howard County would ever bear witness to the tragedy of two star-crossed lovers, gang rivalry jam-packed with animosity, and a final ear-shattering gunshot? Mt. Hebron High School embodied all of these riveting elements in their spring production of West Side Story.

Conceived by director Jerome Robbins and featuring the famed music of Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story originated in 1950’s New York City, essentially telling the timeless story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet-with a modern twist. Amidst bitter hostility between the Puerto Rican Sharks and the ‘American’ Jets, the show’s protagonists, Tony and Maria, come from two different backgrounds entirely. However, when the two inadvertently find romance, they confront opposition, eliciting tragic consequences.

The lead roles tugged at the audience’s heartstrings with their earnest and emotional portrayals of their characters. Joey Rodis delivered a classic exposé of Tony, full of a sincere and doe-eyed innocence that was convincing of the trials of young love. Emily Roenigk held herself with a certain grace and determination as Maria, depicting her character’s complexities and evolution to a tee with an incredible vocal talent.

The ensemble of Sharks and Jets was equally impressive, with their tough, finger-snapping exteriors, demanding attention as they lit up the stage with an infectious energy. A brief comedic appearance from Mt. Hebron’s principal Scott Ruehl elicited peals of laughter from the audience. Meanwhile, Sarah Miller as Anita, Will McCorn as Bernardo, and Gerald Jordan as Riff were all pivotal to the play as a whole, evoking much emotion as they exemplified the heartrending challenges of racial tension.

Set in the Mt. Hebron gymnasium, the overall experience of the play was a unique one. Such a wide space could potentially pose many problems; however, the cast made good use of the space at hand and filled the entire stage completely.

Conducted by Dan Pendley, the orchestra did a phenomenal job with Leonard Bernstein’s musical masterpiece. With impressive dynamics, the musical effect highlighted many of the show’s major points, adding significant dramatic emphasis.

Overall, Mount Hebron’s rendition of West Side Story contained many exceptional performances, delivering the important message that somewhere, someday, and somehow, love will rise above all else.

Permalink Reply by Amanda Ascoli on March 30, 2010 at 10:43pm

Feuding families, young love, and a balcony scene. Sounds a lot like Shakespeare, right? Wrong! Mount Hebron breathed new life into the classic love story with their production of Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story March 24, 2010.
West Side Story initially opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 26, 1957. It was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins and produced by Robert E. Griffith and Harold and Prince, and was acclaimed lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway debut. The show won a Tony award for choreography, and the 1961 film version won ten Academy awards. West Side Story upholds the classic Shakespearean story of Romeo and Juliet, but sweeps our star-crossed lovers from Verona to 1950’s New York City, and replaces soft-spoken Juliet with sassy Maria, and peaceful Romeo with gang member Tony.
Emily Roenigk truly did the part of Maria justice: her Puerto Rican accent was flawless, her singing voice pristine, and she presented just the right amount of sauciness combined with a desire for peace between battling gangs the Sharks and the Jets. Her chemistry with Tony, played by Joey Rodis, was flawlessly executed: their passion for each other was showcased in “One Hand, One Heart” and despite the far-fetched idea of falling in love in a matter of minutes, the pair made it believable with their physical affection and evident attraction. Roegnik covered Maria’s vast emotional range effortlessly, conveying her ecstasy at meeting Tony in “I Feel Pretty” and her desperation at discovering Tony’s death in the “Finale.” Rodis was clearly comfortable in his role: in “Maria” he provides a poignant snapshot of young love, and in “The Rumble” his role as a murderer was equally convincing.
The ensemble was extremely energetic, making numbers such as “The Dance at the Gym” and “America” enjoyable. Standout performances include Logan Pryce as A-RAB, the comic relief for the Jets, and Joe Strunck as jaded, angry Lieutenant Schrank. Sarah Miller was a true star as flippant Anita, and her impressive vocal abilities were exercised in “America” and “A Boy Like That.” Her emotional versatility was equally impressive, and the change Anita undergoes after Bernardo’s death from saucy to somber was communicated through Miller’s body language and tone of voice.
Despite being performed in a gymnasium, the sound, light and stage crews did a fabulous job. Scene changes were executed quickly and without problems, and the set ensured the maximum amount of space was appropriately utilized. The lighting changed to mirror the events onstage, from being bright in “The Dance at the Gym” to low in “Cool.”
Its mature themes make West Side Story a difficult show to perform at the high school level, but the captivating individual performances and general smoothness made Mount Hebron “Somewhere” to be!

Permalink Reply by Sophie Keane on March 31, 2010 at 5:33pm

The mid 1950s, west side of Manhattan - a dangerous time, and a dangerous place. Gang violence is prevalent. Young men kill and are killed. And it the midst of it all, a magnificent love story transcending all the surrounding hatred. The audience was held at the edge of their seats as Mt. Hebron brought West Side Story to vivid life on March 24th.
West Side Story, conceived by Jerome Robbins and based on the classic play Romeo and Juliet, opened in 1957 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York. That year it won two Tony awards, and was later translated into a critically acclaimed film, winning ten Academy Awards. West Side Story tells the tale of the bitter rivalry between two gangs, the Sharks (recently immigrated from Puerto Rico) and the Jets (the hostile white boys of the West Side), and the unprecedented love that emerges between the leader of the Sharks’ sister, Maria, and the former Jet, Tony.
With its soaring score, iconic choreography, and gut-wrenching characters, the students at Mt. Hebron were faced with a challenge. This endeavor was made even more demanding with their location - as their main theatre underwent serious renovation, the actors performed in the school’s gym, transformed into a functioning, if not perfect, theatre. However, multiple places of entrance and excursions into the audience that were made possible by this unique set-up only intensified the production.
Several of the leads connected with the audience particularly well, which is difficult in any circumstance. Anita, the lover of Maria’s brother Bernardo, acted by Sarah Miller, provided depth and development of character that only grew as the show progressed. Her belting, powerful vocals in “America” transformed into a low growl suitable for “A Boy like That.” Emily Roenigk, in the role of Maria, projected her well-enunciated soprano voice and filled the entire gymnasium with clear, beautiful sound, blending perfectly with the voice of Tony, played by Joey Rodis. The two personified young, innocent love, and Maria’s anguish was felt by everyone in their seats as she received the news that her brother was dead, and as the shot was fired the killed her beloved Tony.
This emotion and energy was matched, if not eclipsed at times, by the members of the supporting cast and ensemble. Logan Pryce, in the role of A-RAB, exemplified the Jets’ “Cool,” angst-ridden attitude and remained completely immersed in his character. In fact, all of the gang members, Jets and Sharks alike, threw themselves into their characters, at times literally with carefully choreographed fight scenes that seemed like genuine chaos. The voices of the ensemble stayed relatively strong, despite the athletic leaping and jumping of the Jets in the Prologue. The Shark voices harmonized perfectly in “America,” and the counterpoint melodies of “Tonight”, a difficult feat for adult performers, seemed pitch-perfect, despite minor volume issues with some of the microphones.
As the show was performed in a gymnasium, certain technical elements were not ideal. Full black outs were not possible and crew members were therefore visible in transitioning from one scene to the next. These changes were handled well by careful lighting choices, such as a single spot following Tony as he roams the audience in “Maria,” distracting from the scene change.
The full string orchestra was out of the actors’ range of sight, and yet the performers hardly faltered, despite not being able to see and follow the conductor. Aiding in this was the orchestra’s superb ability to execute Leonard Bernstein’s difficult music with seemed ease, maximizing every pregnant pause and every dramatic crescendo.
And yet, as the last chord sounded, there was no applause. The audience was hesitant to clap as the few adults of the play stood alone on the stage in the final, profound moments. The young “hoodlums” had exited, three conspicuously missing from the defeated throng. A somber, jarring end to the world’s most famous tragedy-turned-musical, successfully brought to vivid life and despondent end by Mt. Hebron High School.

Permalink Reply by Sarah Gordon on April 2, 2010 at 3:20pm

The story of Romeo and Juliet is a tale as old as stereotypes themselves. Since the days when Shakespeare penned his most renowned play, many spin-offs have been constructed around the star-crossed lovers and their ardent affair. Bernstein and Sondheim’s West Side Story is perhaps the most famous of all these adaptations, gracing the stage and the big screen since 1957. Mount Hebron High School brought 1950 New York City to life in their version of the Broadway classic.
The streets of New York are divided by gang wars, most notably between the Sharks, Puerto Rican immigrants, and their nemeses, the Jets who are the white natives of the area. The cycle of unfounded hatred and revenge that blinds them all is intensified as a result of the magnetism between Tony and Maria. He is a Jet who dreams of a better life, she the guileless younger sister of the leader of the Sharks. Their coupling triggers a maelstrom of reactions between the rival gangs, culminating in a finale shaking with an uncertain future.
Emily Roenigk brought a soaring soprano and an endearing innocence to her portrayal of Maria. Her pitch perfect renditions of “I Have a Love” and “Tonight” beautifully captured her hopefulness for the future. Tony (Joey Rodis) showed his ingenuous adoration for her through his dramatic facial expressions. Anita (Sarah Miller) displayed an impressive depth of character with her seductive sauciness around her boyfriend, Bernardo (Will McCorn) standing out against her tender maternal nature around Maria.
Each of the named Jet members developed their own personality by expressing themselves individually by singing, speaking, and acting even out of the spotlight. Baby John (Mike Kryzsko)’s undeveloped voice betrayed his age and innocence against his attempted tough persona. A-RAB (Logan Pryce) displayed a knack for hilarious accents during “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Action (Joe Humm)’s consistent physicality during his explosive anger fits inspired the passion of the rest of the Jets. The group numbers such as “Jet Song” “The Dance at the Gym,” and “America” were each performed brilliantly through well-executed choreography and unceasing enthusiasm from the ensemble. Mount Hebron also boasted an impressive pit orchestra, including a full string section, to play out Bernstein’s complex harmonies. The songs were done their justice, as well as carefully balanced in volume so as not to overwhelm the actors.
The vivid red themes of the Sharks’ costumes (designed by the Costume and Props Crew) versus the more varied pastels of the Jets’ nonverbally reminded the audience of the fissure between the gangs. Integral set pieces such as the balcony ladder and the chain-link fence kept the set simplistic but highly versatile. The entire play was performed in Mount Hebron’s gymnasium due to auditorium renovations, an unusual contention for a high school performance. The cast rose to the challenge, spacing their choreography and blocking to nicely balance their voluminous space.
Bernstein and Sondheim’s timeless tale of anguish and love, prejudice and pride, is captured only as well as the actors can perform it. Mount Hebron High School kept all of the original grace of the show and supplemented it with their own intriguing flavor to create an ageless masterpiece.

Permalink Reply by Kaitie Benedek on April 26, 2010 at 8:31pm

The world’s most well known tragedy, in 1950s form, comes to Mt. Hebron in “West Side Story.” With their theatre under renovations, Mt. Hebron astounded the audience in the gym with heart-felt ballads, group numbers, elaborate daces and a remarkable orchestra.

Star-crossed lovers Tony (Joey Rodis), a Jet, and Maria (Emily Roenigk), a Shark, meet at a dance one night, but are forced apart by their gangs. The Jets, the all-American punks of New York, are led by Riff (Gerald Jordan), while their Puerto Rican rivals, the Sharks, are led by Bernardo (Will McCorn), Maria’s brother. Numerous conflicts arise between the gangs resulting in fights, known as “rumbles” ad a blood covered ground by the end.

All four actors were strong leads, with good vocals. Broadway- bound Roenigk, and McCorn held Spanish accents throughout the show, even during songs. Sarah Miller played Anita, Maria’s best friend and girlfriend of Bernardo. Miller portrayed well the dynamic changes her character makes during the show, whilst talking and singing with a Spanish accent.

Logan Pryce, as A-RAB, and Eddie Yacynych, a Jet, remained enthusiastically in character whether singing, dancing, or just fighting. This extra push by some of the actors made the show that much better. The Shark girls, namely Bonnie Phillips (Rosalina) and Margaret Tian (Consuela) also had the devotion to character and genuine performances, in songs “America” and “I Feel Pretty.”

Other group numbers, such as “Cool,” “Tonight,” and “Gee, Officer Krupke” were the high points of the play. The singing was up to its usual standard, and the dances were interesting, original, and well executed. The choreography included jumps, flips, and other ridiculous moves. Another feat was their ability to keep in time with the orchestra, playing the complicated cannons of Bernstein, without a pit. A line or two was missed occasionally due to actors’ reliance on microphones, but nothing to take away from the overall meaning of the show.

Mt. Hebron made good use of their limited space, stretching the “stage” as far as possible, and using one main backdrop the entire show. One almost forgot there were students running laps in the same room only hours prior.

Permalink Reply by Matthew Zuchero on May 5, 2010 at 7:20am

weak sauce:

It has been spoofed in an Academy-Award winning short film, and its score has been crooned by Robert DeNiro. The play in question, of course, is West Side Story. It is the closest approximation to a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, and the two have become equally timeless. Knowing this, Mt. Hebron High School decided to do justice to an indisputable classic, and succeeded, literally, with leaps and bounds.
The plot is the standard “forbidden love” story: Tony, a retired member of the all-Caucasian gang the Jets, happens upon Maria, the sister of the leader of a newly-arrived Puerto Rican gang dubbed the Sharks, at a community dance. Soon, the two find it difficult to maintain their love while being compelled by friends and family to show allegiance to their respective gangs.
Joey Rodis (Tony) capably handled the most difficult vocal part of a very challenging play. His occasional use of falsetto added a degree of tenderness when he professed his love to Maria. Emily Roengik (Maria) maintained a masterful Hispanic accent throughout the play, even while singing. Her vocal range was equally impressive, and when harmonized with her onstage lover’s, it created some wonderful duets like “Balcony Scene” and “One Hand, One Heart.” However, Sara Miller stood out in particular. She captured her character Anita with just the right Latino sassiness, and carried herself with a poise that made her a formidable presence while either singing or speaking.
It is a consequence of a play with two large gangs and only a handful of principal characters to have a substantial ensemble. But the students at Mt. Hebron dazzled the audience with energy, physicality, and precise dance moves. Fight scenes and small tussles became expositions of graceful gymnastics as people were lifted and tossed through a sea of red and blue. The number that pleased the crowd most was “Gee, Officer Krupke” as the Jets climbed ladders and roughhoused one another in perfect time with timpani hits (provided by Mr. Dan Pendley’s orchestra) that showed the extent of the actors’ skill.
Interestingly, of this show was set in the school gym. This allowed for several staging areas and quick transitions between scenes, and for a largely static set that featured Maria’s bedroom with a fire escape, and a city backdrop that hovered over neighborhood dances, Doc’s bar, and all sorts of brawls. It also left ample room for Tony to run down narrow lanes carved through rows of folding chairs in the audience as he frantically searched for a supposed killer. The lighting crew did well by not shining the spotlight too close to the audience members’ faces during this unorthodox scene.
Even if its subject matter is iffy for families with grade-school children, Mt. Hebron’s West Side Story is a spectacular way to grab a piece of American theatrical history. Just pick a seat in the bleachers and prepare to be wowed by brilliant displays of dancing and singing as the show goes out with a bang!