'West Side Story' still worth telling

In 1961 Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Jerome Robbins collaborated on a magical musical and film about the realities of street life in New York City. A loose retelling of the "Romeo and Juliet," balcony scene and all, "West Side Story" asked racial, social and economic questions about America in the guise of a finger-snapping, pompadoured story about love not meant to be.

In 2003, love stories are no less tragic, and immigrants and minorities still are trying to be included in the American dream. That is why the Notre Dame Regional High School production of "West Side Story" opening tonight is worth seeing, both as an unfinished history lesson and as a work of art.

Perhaps that is one reason all four performances already are sold out.

This is a difficult show to mount, primarily due to the music. Bernstein was not satisfied with writing beautiful love songs, though in "Maria" and "Tonight" he did. The compositional innovations in the musical's overture and songs like "Something's Coming" and the Latin syncopations of "America" will keep conductor Jim Hindman, the orchestra and the singers alert throughout the run.

Charming leads

Casie Janet, who has been singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at sporting events since she was a girl, shows that her crystalline voice contains colors for joy and heartbreak as well in the role of Maria. As both actress and singer, Janet charms in the role.

As Tony, Keith Seyer complements Janet with a pleasing voice and earnest acting. The harmony between him and Janet on "Tonight" is especially pretty.

Seyer's uncle, Roger Seyer, played the same role in the high school's 1983 production. Roger Seyer, now the understudy for the Jean Valjean role in "Les Miserables" on Broadway, is expected to be in attendance for Saturday's performance.

Jake Hency is a strong presence and especially good dancer in the role of Riff, the Jets leader. As his menacing Sharks counterpart, Bernardo, Travis Siebert moves about the stage like someone you wouldn't want to cross.

Sarah Gosche is a fine Anita, Bernado's spicy girlfriend. You never catch her acting. She and Elizabeth Stewart as Rosalia are especially touching in their "America" duet.

The cast performs the show's famous dances admirably. Choreographer Deana Pecord deserves applause along with Jerome Robbins, of course.

Small performances shine

Some fine small performances in this production shine in the production like gems. Beauty queen Jennifer Kaelin plays Anybodys, the Jets tomboy, with attitude, and Joelle Trower as Miss Gladhand, is priggish without becoming a caricature.

Justin Moore as Action and his gang of Jets sing a gleeful "Gee, Officer Krupke," the production's musical comic relief.

Steve Wissinger as Lt. Shrank, Matt Unverferth as Officer Krupke and Justin Spaeth as Doc provide the not-always-adult wisdom in the play.

The other female Sharks are Jill Heuschober as Consuela, Mary "Bunny" Catrino as Franscisa, and playing smaller roles Hannah Davis, Colleen Dively, Rachael Essner, Sarah Unterreiner and Stacey Seyer.

The other female Jets are Casey Cuba as Velma, Lisa Roe as Graziella, and in smaller roles Stephanie Griffith, Emily Ivers, Gina Kuntz, Sarah Nenninger and Ashley Reinagel.

Other male Jets are Blake Fisher as A-rab, Adam Reinagel as Baby John, Andrew Strohmeyer as Snowboy, Josh Essner as Big Deal and Joe Dufek as Diesel.

The other male Sharks are Eric McLain as Chino, Adam Fenwick as Pepe, Jonathan Long as Indio, Scott Elsey as Fernando and Greg Pierce as Julio.

Cynthia King, who has been directing Notre Dame's musicals since 1973, makes this difficult show work. Katie Essner is the assistant director. Roger Mainor is the stage manager.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182