Review: 'West Side Story' at Musicals at Richter

“The show itself speaks volumes about both past racial tensions in the US and reflects on current social issues, making the show not only topical, but ideal for performing, no matter how small the role.” - Victor Roldan, Nibbles in Richter’s ‘West Side Story’

Danbury, CT - Musicals at Richter continues its season under the stars with the music of Stephen Sondheim in ‘West Side Story.’ Zachary Kampler serves as music director and Jimmy Locust, assisted by Liana Martinez, choreographed the classic dance numbers.

Director/fight choreographer Michael Limone just directed ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Rye HS, so the connections of ‘West Side Story’ and the Shakespearean tragedy were especially present in his mind during the rehearsal process. “...I became more and more impressed by the brilliance of Arthur Laurentis in creating his modern re-telling of the the classic story of star-crossed lovers, and their tragedy, born of hate.” Multiple connections between the two works became apparent as the actors rehearsed and the process became a “thrilling experience of treasure hunting and discovery” for both the director and I’m sure the young cast as well.

The pace of this production seemed slow to me. There was not much of the “pow pow” dialogue that I am used to and the movements felt more lyrical than hard-edged. I wrote “subdued” next to some of the musical numbers, most of which were quietly, albeit competently, performed, although some of the Spanish accents could have been better. The large orchestra that required two of the usual shelters played the classic score beautifully.

Brian Bremer did well as Riff and WCSU student Nathan Clift was Action. Jacob Schultz played A-Rab, Bethel HS junior Brian Salvador was Baby John, WCSU student Andrew N. Kocur appeared as Snowboy, WCSU student William Armstrong played the role of Big Deal and Noah Matson of Danbury was Deisel. Newtown HS student Jack Armstrong was Gee-Tar and Brian Hinger returned to this stage in the role of Tiger. Emma Burke-Covitz played the role of tomboy Anybodys.

On the Shark side was Simon Garcia as Chino and UConn sophomore Andre Grigorio was Pepe. Tim Sheehan played Indio, Brailyn Rodrigues, and 18 year old guy from the Dominican Republic, played Luis, Masuk HS rising senior Elias Levy played Anxious, Bethel HS graduate Victor Roldan was Nibbles and Matt Olencki, who is heading to Fairleigh Dickinson University, was Juano.
Kevin McCarthy played store owner Doc and John McMahon was Lt. Schrank. Steven Taliaferro was the Irish cop Officer Krupke. Robert Bria came onstage after his curtain speech as Glad Hand and Pam DeHuff was the “Somewhere” soprano.

Jet Girls dressed in the cool colors included Lilly MacFayden, Boston College student Elizabeth Koennecke, WCSU sophomore Emma Giorgio, Jillian Fredette, Danbury HS sophomore Abigail Heiden and Olivia Cotter. Shark Girls were played by Christina Kompar, Teah Renzi (‘Evita’ at Newtown HS,) Kristyn Vario, Cassidy Holmes and Bonnie Gregson.

Juliet Dale, who did the role of Maria in high school, was therefore a fine Maria and Steven Moores was equally fine as Tony. Lauren Nicole Sherwood danced well in the role of the sassy Anita. Standout performance was Sergio Mandujano in the role of Bernardo. This student at the nearby Western CT State University, where he played Aldolpho in the award-winning ‘The Drowsy Chaperone,’ can do it all on any stage.

I really liked what Lauren Nicole Sherwood did with her costume design. The Sharks and the Shark girls were dressed in shades of red and pink, the Jets and their girls in shades of blue and green. So Maria in her white dress (“White is for babies”) and purple sash stood out at the dance. Absolutely fantastic lighting designed by the director and Mike Campbell was often integrated with the color scheme and made for some stunning stage pictures, many in silhouette. The chain link fencing and two balconies that made up the set designed by Jake McGuire worked well to complete the picture.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and posts reviews of well over 100 reviews each year. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch site(s) closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417

Photos by David Henningsen Photography