WEST SIDE STORY (2006)
Another year and another opportunity to do a production I had long wanted to do but never had the chance. The extremely difficult “West Side story” provided us with this year’s challenge. The incredible multi-level set that re-created New York tenements provided the ideal arena in which to act, sing and dance out this story. The show contained messages for our audiences that are as relevant in today’s society as they were when the production launched the era of the modern musical. The extremely challenging musical score was so capably handled by our orchestra that one theatre patron asked if it was a recording !!!! We again played the adults in the cast with adult actors (two teachers, a school custodian, and a community volunteer) and the student players played characters of their own age - it worked well.
Again we received numerous kudos: “the set design was outstanding”; “terrific show”; “...it was absolutely brilliant!”; “sincere accolades to you all for a remarkable job”; “amazing, such talent, what an amazing set”; “wow, what a production, I can’t believe it’s a school play”; “Bravo...best show yet!”
Anecdotes: the set had 7 paint treatments (by our amazing scenic artist, Mrs. Andrea Hunter) to give it its authentic look and detail (including garbage, graffiti, and bird droppings). The entire action of the play represented a time period of only 7 hours in the story.
see also: Memory Lane (Photos) - West Side Story
