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Youth Production Feels Pretty, Stands Up Big
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Putting 40-plus teenagers together with no adults could be, well, chaotic.
In the case of Geauga Lyric Theater Guild's production West Side Story, it is only wonderful -- at least as much as the audience sees.
The performance, which continues weekends through Feb. 5, features a cast composed entirely of teens from Chardon High School, Berkshire, Cardinal, Ravenna, St. Mary's and St. Helen's, St. Anselm's, as well as some who are home schooled working both on and backstage -- but this diversity doesn't lead to incohesion.
"We're all goofballs before the show starts," admitted Chardon's Gabby Nedrow (Velma), "but as soon as we start the show, we're in our serious mode, we're in the show rather than ourselves."
Instead, live pit band music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephan Sondheim and impressive choreography well handled by the young cast make this a memorable performance for Geauga Theater.
Experienced director D. Roger Dixon, a humanities adjunct professor at Lakeland Community College by day, makes his debut on historic Chardon Square with West Side Story.
"I've directed shows with music before but never a musical," said Dixon, who will attract many family, church friends and students just by his involvement.
Maybe it's this first venture by Dixon that helps make the show feel so fresh -- that paired with the strength of numerous leads.
West Side Story, a popular classic adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, portrays Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks.
Hate, violence and prejudice separate Tony and Maria from "somewhere a place for us, peace and quiet and open air," as the tune goes.
Ryan Scott (Tony) and Maddy McClusky (Maria) play these roles with realistic flair. Could it be because they are also from opposite ends of the tracks in real life? (Ryan is a thespian at Berkshire High, Maddy attends Chardon and sings with Free Harmony Show Choir.)
Cohesion may also benefit from numerous pairs of siblings in this production -- for instance, Maddy and Connor McClusky (Officer Krupke), performing for the first time in a main stage show together, and oft-winners of the most "Unalike Twins" in the Twinsburg Twins Festival.
Also of the same brood are Andrew and Ashley Kotlar (A-rab and behind the scenes) and Jonathan and Chloe Porter (Riff and Teresita).
Shows so far have nearly sold out, said producer Civia Wiesner.
It's no wonder: "Most of the teens in the show are actively involved in the arts in varieties of ways with virtually all of them performing in theater productions," she said. "Julia Mihalich (Rosalia) and Michael Gault (Bernardo) performance at Ravenna High School; Julia is involved in Kent State for post-secondary opera productions. And Sarah Wyatt (Anita) and Joey Giel (Chino) both spend time taking acting lessons and are working toward professional work in theater and film performance."
Also count the very talented group of young musicians, dancers and singers who clearly take their skills seriously. Highlighted ballerina Tia Workman actively studies ballet and other types of dance; sisters Isabella and Annamarie Mastrey are ballroom dancers; Maddy McClusky, Catherine Masiello and Casie Griffis take vocal lessons; and regular musicians include Jacob Hamblen, Casie Griffis, Connor McClusky and Jonathan Porter.
And if all these aren't enough reason to see it, go for "Gee, Officer Krupke." Suddenly it's like we're all back in high school.
For information on times or to purchase tickets, visit www.geaugatheater.org or call the box office at 440-286-2255.
