Register Pajaronian 7/17/03

Cabrillo Stage's 22nd season tour de force:
'West Side Story'

July 17, 2003 - Registar Pajaronian

By JOYCE D. MANN

American icon Leonard Bernstein meets William Shakespeare. What results is the 1957 musical "West Side Story," which translates the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet into the gritty world of New York's west-side gangs. Add the book of Arthur Laurents and the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim and we have the all-time American classic.

Cabrillo Stage presents a rare full-length production of this relevant and edgy musical. "Presents" may be too mild a word. Lyle Cruse's production, under the visionary direction of Dustin Leonard, bursts onto the stage, grabs the audience and doesn't let up.

Set against a backdrop of grubby west-side tenements, we watch senseless rivalry and violence erupt between the Puerto Rican Sharks and the "American" Jets.

What turns this all too familiar story into a tragedy is the meeting between Jets' Tony (Brian Staufenbiel) and Sharks' Maria (Aimee Puentes). The two fall in love and hope for a life together, despite cultural differences and opposition from family and friends.

More mature than his gang brothers, Tony is drifting away from the Jets. When Maria persuades Tony to go and stop the rumble that is brewing between the rival gangs, the seeds of tragedy are sown. The peacemaker gets caught up in the violence. Tony kills Bernardo, the brother of his beloved Maria, and ultimately falls victim himself to a revenge killing.

Since it debuted, Bernstein's music has not been matched. Rich, intense and complex, it provides a challenge to Musical Director Cruse's 26-piece orchestra, to the lead actors and to the ensemble.

The challenge is met. The orchestra keeps a delicate balance with the singers and then lets rip in the dance numbers. This show is a musical "tour de force" for Cruse. Stuart Ponder's great sound design is also an integral part of the success.

Puentes and Staufenbiel both have operatic backgrounds, and it shows. Appropriately fragile in appearance, Puentes has a powerful voice and stage presence. Staufenbiel's rich tenor never wavers. Their duets are pure joy.

Izetta Fang brings her New York stage experience to bear on the role of the earthy Anita. Her "America," backed by the Sharks ensemble, is a showstopper.

Tyler McGee brings rough energy to the role of Riff, leader of the Jets. Ted Zervoulakos' dynamic and volatile Bernardo, leader of the Sharks, evokes a sense of danger whenever he is on stage. Inevitably these two leaders will clash.

Michele Rivard's cameo "Somewhere," sung as a backdrop to the dream ballet, is an event. Other great cameos include Doc (Brian Spencer), Lt. Shrank (Patrick Klein), Officer Krupke (Lou DeLucia) and Gladhand (David Rupert).

People may come to "West Side Story" for the romance or the music; many will come for the dance. Trevor Little's choreography is fresh and breathtaking. Little interweaves patterns of acrobatic/gymnastic movement with classical ballet and signature finger-snapping routines. As a nod to Jerome Robbins, he keeps Robbins' choreography for the Rumble scene. The Jets and Sharks ensembles display dance skills rarely seen, even in larger productions.

Set designer Andrea Bechert's New York tenement set, perfect in detail, is enhanced by special effects and by the brilliant lighting design of Ethan Hoerneman. Maria Crush's subtle costuming brings out cultural differences, particularly between Puerto Rican and American women.

This show will be the talk of the town for a long time. Don't be left out of the conversation.

"West Side Story" plays through Aug. 17 at Cabrillo College in Aptos, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. For reservations call 479-6154. ©Register-Pajaronian 2003