“Could it be? Yes it could. Something’s coming, something good…” Tony sings with a floating falsetto, played by San Lorenzo Valley High School’s very own junior, Jack Calden. His expressions illuminate center stage and he excitedly sings his centerpiece solo for the legendary musical, West Side Story.
Ever since the first nerve-wracking day of auditions, the cast and crew of San Lorenzo Valley’s big musical production of West Side Story have been working and perfecting the show for months, each day getting closer to the show’s opening. Masterfully directed by veteran of the stage Will Guilford, skillfully choreographed by Whitney James-Heskett, and with beautiful vocal direction by Nicki Kerns, the show has made rapid progress under their guidance and should prove to be one of the most exciting productions in recent SLV memory. Guilford, an ardent fan of the show itself, has been ecstatic from the very first day of rehearsals to get the show on the road.
The high school’s upcoming production of West Side Story is filled with elaborate dance numbers and emotionally-charged songs that have more rawness to them than any musical theater lover could imagine. The cast members of West Side Story have put tremendous effort into realizing the characters in the story, from the toughness of Riff, the boldness of Anita, the fervor of Tony, and the dreamlike modesty of Maria. The show’s tension between the two major gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, keeps an audience riveted throughout the performance. The show is action-packed, heart-wrenching, crude, and tragically romantic all at once. West Side Story juggles themes of race and class, and awakens the spirit with classic Broadway songs that are forever etched in the American musical theater repertoire.
Performances run from the 26th of April to the 6th of May at the SLVHS Performing Arts Center, where tickets will be sold at the box office or online at hs.slvusd.org. The production has mature themes, but all ages may attend. Ticket prices range from $9-$15. There will also be an available donation center to help support hurricane relief in Puerto Rico.
The Sharks and Jets of San Lorenzo Valley High urge you to come watch West Side Story, and see as, “The air is humming…and something great is coming!”
- Kayla Penny is a sophomore at San Lorenzo Valley High School. She very much enjoys running cross-country and track as well as swimming, musical theater, singing and playing or listening to music and being involved in the community.
