NKHS Dazzles With Musical Production

The North Kingstown High School Music Department last night staged a truly impressive production of the musical classic "West Side Story."

Friday’s performance was the first of a three-day run, and the high school’s auditorium was filled to capacity well before the curtain.

The production was not without its opening-night wrinkles, but these were speedily dealt with and did not affect the performance itself.

An initial seating shortage caused some confusion, and the performance was delayed for 20 minutes due to unspecified technical difficulties, but when the curtain parted it was to enthusiastic cheers. 

For those who might be unfamiliar with the plot, "West Side Story" is a musical update of Shakespeare’s "Romeo & Juliet," with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a script by Arthur Laurents.   

The feuding Montague and Capulet families are replaced by 1950s-era New York street gangs, and Shakespeare’s title characters here appear as Maria and Tony, young lovers separated by gang rivalry (the Sharks versus the Jets) and racial prejudice. 

As the story begins the two gangs are in the process of escalating their long-simmering conflict over control of the neighborhood.

Seniors Nicholas Jorgensen and Lindsey Sampson star as Tony and Maria, with a cast of more than 50. 

Lines were remembered, difficult dance moves executed and the evening was blissfully free of the blunders which so often plague high school productions.

In this case it is not enough, however, to applaud the cast for their failure to commit any serious errors. This was not merely a performance without incident, but a display of surprising talent and ability from a young but highly capable cast.

The lead performers, including Tyler Greene as Riff, Troy Crawford as Bernardo, and Helena Tafuri as Anita, all brought true talent and passion to their roles. 

The entire cast turned in forceful performances, executing complicated dance numbers with energy, grace and confidence.

The orchestra, comprising NKHS students and several community members, brought an extra touch of professionalism to the production, setting the mood masterfully with Leonard Bernstein’s challenging score.   

The evening concluded with a well-deserved standing ovation for the cast, to the continued accompaniment of the orchestra.

A manifestly accomplished production team was headed up by director Norma Caiazza, musical director Michael Iadevaia and choreographer Linda Taggart, with set design by Benjamin Green.   

The show has something for every taste; song, dance, action, comedy, tragedy, romance and a message of tolerance. Parents of younger children should be aware that the musical contains brief, highly-stylized violence and some use of racial epithets.  The occasionally ribald humor is safely beyond the comprehension of small children.

If you didn’t make it to last night’s premiere, you have three more chances to catch the show; Saturday, March 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 13 at 2pm.

Tickets are $15 at the door, $10 for students with ID.