Peters Township Stages Successful 'West Side Story'

Two rival street gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, start a turf war in New York City on the same evening that Maria (a fantastic Rachael Ferraco) meets Tony (a charismatic Josh Reardon). The lovers are stand-ins for Romeo and Juliet in this loose-musical adaptation. Though Tony and Maria aren’t as skilled in witty repartee as their medieval counterparts, instead, they sing their story.

The musical hits all the highlights of the Shakespearean classic; the lovers meet-cute at a dance, they swoon on the balcony, and they promise to love each other despite gargantuan odds.

Meanwhile, the gangs of New York are ready to rumble. Riff (Mark Seraly), the leader of the Jet’s calls a war council with Bernardo(Jesse Scheirer), the leader of the Sharks and older brother to the newly-emigrated Maria. Even heartless and clueless Lt. Schrank (Hardy Kern) and his underling Officer Krupke (Kevin Bastos) know that there will be blood.

We know it won’t end well for Maria and Tony, but it’s a hell of a ride, especially with two talented leads.

But everthing’s good in America. Just ask Anita (a vivacious Bri Wagner). It’s her signature song. Wagner belts it out in the first act accompanied by Macy McKnight, Meg Fitzgerald, Lynnsey Garlick, Liz Egan and a gorgeous gallery of glamorous girls. If the Sharks were smart, they’d spend less time bruising and spend more time with their broads.

There is some suggestive language, but it’s a fairly gentle play considering its social themes. Some of the dialogue is stilted and dated, but the theme of racism still holds up in today’s society. Replace Puerto Rican and Polish with any other race or religion and the play would still work. The world still divides the “us” from the “them.”

It’s an amazing cast of kids. Ferraco, Reardon and Wagner have to share the spotlight with some other fantastic performers.

Action (Cole Marks), A-rab (John McGovern) and Baby John (Stephen Rothhaar) are a bunch of high-flying Jets. They are marvelous performers and talented comedians. Their rendition of “Officer Krupke” is one of the show’s highlights. It’s energetic and fun. Girl ruffian, Anybodys (freshman Morgan Kirksey) is a terrific tom-boy. Not just anybody can play Anybodys; Kirksey dons the role proudly.

The set is spectacular, a triumph for a high school production. There are sliding walls and rotating scenery, alluding to a giant urban advent calendar or West Side Story Pop-Up book. Kudos to the set designer, stagehands and crew.

It’s a loud, frenetic show. Donna Fox’s orchestra does a great job, but they stepped on the emotional beats of the story a few times. Some of the performers are sporting microphones. Seraly ought to give his away. His voice booms. Some of the other mics go out at inopportune moments.

Every show has a few small glitches, luckily, there aren’t as many as you would expect considering the monumental task of mounting this gigantic production (23 speaking roles and host of background characters).  

Director Jeremy Kuharcik and assistant director Kelly Barefoot manage to not only control a vast cast of teenagers (imagine! it must be like herding cats), they get some pretty amazing performances from them. Speaking of impressive feats, choreographer Barb Deliere gets the Jerome Robbins award of the evening. The original director and choreographer must be smiling down from musical/theater heaven, watching the students jump, bounce and leap about.  

West Side Story, produced by the Masqued Indians, tackles singing, dancing and social issues. It’s a great night out for local theater.

Catch the next two shows at the April 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and students.