By Amanda Berg
West Side Story at the Grand Theatre in Salt Lake City is a classic musical by Arthur Laurents, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, which transports you to 1950s New York City, where two young lovers from opposing gangs meet, fall in love, and try to obtain their gangs’ acceptance. If it sounds like a 20th century Romeo and Juliet, that’s because it is—except for one small difference: I love West Side Story (because Bernstein is a musical genius), and I hate Shakespeare. When given the opportunity to see West Side Story, I will immediately jump on it. I loved the small yet significant changes the directors Anne Stewart Mark and Kenneth Plain made to this version, which I believe, made it better than the original, such as having the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, speak and sing in Spanish. Mark mentions in the program that these Spanish lyrics and dialogues are written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the hit musical Hamilton. My husband doesn’t speak Spanish, nor has he ever seen this show, so he was a bit confused, but the actors portray the ideas so well he could understand what was happening despite the language barrier. Subtitles above the stage would have been quite helpful for him, though.
Leads Barbara Camara (Maria) and Dayne Cade (Tony) are both graduates from the University of Utah, with degrees in musical theater and vocal performance, respectively, so even just looking at their biographies you know they’re going to be talented. But you have no idea how talented, however, until you watch them shine onstage. Their chemistry is beautiful and tragic, exquisitely displaying the themes of love, prejudice, and hate throughout West Side Story, but especially during the pieces “Tonight” and “One Hand, One Heart.”
Supporting roles are usually secondary, but in this performance, their talent is purposely at the forefront. Riff (Brock Dangleish) is a fantastic dancer, and my husband appreciated his tattoo sleeve. Though it may not technically be part of the costume, it makes him more realistic. Whitney Harris (Anita) is likewise a great dancer, and the emotional connection she creates with Camara (Maria) during “I Have A Love” is so touching, people cried in our audience. Bernardo (Alek Hernandez), the leader of the Sharks, is an intimidating and terrifying leader, who, despite his scary demeanor, creates a wonderful relationship with Harris. Jaiden Castelton (Action) is hilarious, as well as the rest of the Jets, especially during “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Anybody’s (Kailey Azure Green) is profoundly talented, though this role is usually understated in performances of this musical. She is a female who desires to be a member of the Jets but is rejected constantly. As such, when she sings “Somewhere” (when Tony and Maria traditionally sing it), it is perfect, because she is an outcast just as Maria and Tony are. I never thought of having her character sing this piece, but it is perfect. Joel Applegate as Doc, whom I have seen perform in many shows, is an incredibly versatile and powerful actor and sines in this character role.
The performers aren’t the only people who astounded my husband and I with their over the top proficiency. The group songs such as “Mambo,” “Tonight,” and “The Dance at the Gym,” as well as all the fight scenes, have hands down the best choreography of any community performance I have seen (choreographers Christine Moore, Frida Moses; assistant choreographer Lexi Lilley; fight choreography Kathy Curtiss). The sets are simple yet powerful, as is lighting (set design Keven Myhre; lighting design Michael J. Horsejsi) and the costuming is perfect for the era and cultures being portrayed (Shannon McCullock, assistant costuming by Dianne McCullock).
The Grand is an architecturally beautiful and intricate theater, and because it is on Salt Lake Community College’s campus, they provide ticket discounts to SLCC students and staff, as well as middle and high school students, groups, and veterans. If you’re in the mood for some incredible song and dance with a hint of Shakespeare tragedy, be “Cool” and go “Tonight.”
The Grand Theatre presents West Side Story by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Steven Sondheim
Grand Theatre, Salt Lake Community College, 1575 South State, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
May 16-June 8, 2019 7:30 PM, Wed-Sat, 2:00 matinee on Saturdays
Tickets: $9-23
Contact: 801-957-3322
West Side Story Facebook Event
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