While the prospect of living in America may be far from appealing in this modern age where a double dip recession looms, but back in the 1950’s the USA was truly the land of opportunity.
While the suburbs became the land of white picket fences and pinafores, baked goods and nuclear families, the cities became visceral melting pots of nationalities, immigrants moving to the world’s greatest economy to pursue the American dream.
Naturally, the mix resulted in some tensions, and one of the best examples of this era and its conflicts is captured in the timeless tale that is West Side Story, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
‘I think it’s a wonderful timeless piece and think the issues that are prevalent in this show, which was originally set in the 1950’s, are still around today,’ said Jets dance captain Brendan Yeates.
‘I think the messages that this show sends out are still relevant today with what’s going on with racism. And I think it’s a classic because of that timeless quality.’
Since it opened in 1957, West Side Story – with music by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim lyrics – has become one of the ultimate pieces of musical theatre, not only to behold but to participate in too.
‘If you’re a dancer and you’re wanting to do musical theatre and you get into West Side Story, it’s the best show you can get into because it’s so heavily dance based and the choreography is so amazing,’ explained Sharks dance captain Travis Khan.
‘For any sort of dancer it’s just one of those shows where you go wow. It’s amazing to be a part of. You just don’t stop. It’s very physically demanding on everybody.’
‘I think the quality of dancing in West Side Story is such that if you have it on your CV, people look at you differently,’ added Yeates.
‘You have to be a good dancer to have made it through West Side Story.’
Together, Yeates and Khan ensure that their respective teams are keeping up the pace in a tale that pits two teenage gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, against each other while Jets boy Tony and Sharks girl Maria fall in love, a relationship doomed from the very beginning.
‘I think in terms of this cast it’s a really young lovely cast and everyone is very fresh,’ Yeates said of the overall feel of this West Side Story.
‘It’s a lot of people’s first job so the enthusiasm within the cast and the cast morale is really great.’
What makes this production all the more amazing is the fact that choreographer Joey McKneely learnt the dance moves for this show from Jerome Robbins, the man responsible the choreography in the 1957 debut, the same choreography that won Robbins a Tony award.
‘We’ve had this show given to us from a pretty worthy source,’ Yeates explained.
‘I feel like it’s very true to the original because we’ve had that closeness to it and also our director is so passionate about it so he’s handed down that passion.’
West Side Story opens at Burswood Theatre from October 7. Tickets are available now. www.ticketmaster.com.au
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
