West Side Story
at Woodrow Wilson High School

Reviewed on November 16, 2013

Isabel Zapata
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - DC

On the Woodrow Wilson High School stage, the rumble has begun. Gunshots are fired and hoodlums brawl in the streets of New York City. Straight in the line of fire, disregarding the fearsome rivalry between their families, two teens from contending gangs instantly find love in the American classic West Side Story.

Based off of Shakespeare's renowned Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story turned into one of the most successful American musicals in showbiz history, featuring Leonard Bernstein's music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The original Broadway production of West Side Story ran for 732 performances before going on tour and was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 1957. In 1961, the play sparked its own musical film, directed by Robert Wise and Robbins and won ten Academy Awards out of eleven nominations.

As the lovelorn Jet member Tony, Ben Topa ably takes control of the stage and uses the vast space to his advantage. Topa's chemistry with Yana Madrid, playing Maria, effectively translates on stage and provides a tear- jerking ending at the climax of the show. Madrid notably showcases fantastic vocal talent, demonstrating considerable vocal range and smooth singing quality. Sensationally working with the other actors on stage, Jonah Gigli as Riff compellingly becomes the Jets ringleader while exhibiting powerful stage presence and commitment to character. Nakfana Gidey as bold, lively Anita displays fierce characterization through movement and creates convincing chemistry with Maria and Bernardo. Zac Nachbar-Seckel as Action particularly shines in the engaging number "Gee, Officer Krupke" and aptly delivers his lines with comedic timing that keeps the audience chuckling throughout.

The Jets ensemble members exhibit outstanding chemistry, constantly playing off each other's character choices and showing strong comedic talent throughout. The Jets maintain consistent energy and commitment, never breaking character and keeping the audience immersed in the show. As Maria's friend Rosalia, Fenice Thompson terrifically uses daring physicality and bold facial expressions to create one of the most captivating Sharks members in the production. Alex Carrol-Cabanes as Baby John, Eva Monroe as Anybody's, and Tristan Huber as Big Deal exceptionally maintain commitment and energy throughout, using exuberant physicality to pull off the ruffian attitude of the gang. Marques Ross as Indio and Anita Montero as Shark member Francisca stand out from the dancing ensemble through notable enthusiasm and a spirited display of technical skill. The stage crew swiftly and soundlessly transitions between scenes while maneuvering large set pieces and props.

From engaging energy to commendable commitment to character, the cast and crew impressively deliver a spectacular rendition of West Side Story. On the Woodrow Wilson High School stage, the love struck sweethearts remind the audience that, in the end, love really does conquer all.

Emma Paquette
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - DC

Eyes meet eyes from across a crowded room and an instant connection is forged. For once, even with a backdrop of the racially charged battleground in 1950's New York, the color of their skin doesn't matter. Tony and Maria fall in love in a single moment and, from then on, their fate is sealed. There is no room for the two of them in the midst of gang rivalries and prejudiced hatred. Woodrow Wilson enchantingly portrayed this classic musical in their amazing production of West Side Story.

West Side Story, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephan Sondheim, first opened on Broadway in 1957, going on to be nominated for six Tony awards including Best Musical. In the show, Shakespeare's classic Romeo and Juliet is reset in 1950's New York where two ethnically separated gangs, the Sharks and the Jets are in violent conflict. When Tony, a Jet, and Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader, fall in love with each other, it sets in motion an inevitable tragedy.

The huge ensemble of this show should be commended for their boundless energy and limitless enthusiasm. The Jet boys were particularly notable for their natural camaraderie and endless gusto. "Gee, Officer Krupke" was filled with gut-busting hilarity; the gang moved from one verse to the next with sudden spontaneity as led by the uproarious Action (Zac Nachbar-Seckel). Baby John was another stand-out, realistically portrayed by Alex Carrol-Cabenes. He succeeded in establishing believable relationships with his fellow gang mates, particularly the equally talented A-rab (Des O'Brian). The Jets also displayed amazing talent in dance numbers such as "Cool", where difficult dance moves were performed with perfect timing and deep intensity. However, the "Somewhere" ballet was where the most talented dancers shone. Indio (Marques Ross) shared a solo with Francisca (Anita Montero) that was utterly breathtaking. Their grace and careful execution of the choreography stood out from the rest of the dance troupe.

Supported by this amazing ensemble were the two star-crossed lovers, who carried the story with their sincerity and charm. Maria (Yana Madrid) possessed a heavenly voice, soaring to gorgeous heights with a sweet tone that captured hearts. Her short and tragic relationship with Tony (Ben Topa) was poignantly developed with authentic chemistry. Topa treated his love with delicacy and tenderness, his dopey smile summing up the strength of his character's feeling without the need for words. The lovesick Jet also developed excellent connections with his gang mates, wrenchingly displaying the difficulty of being torn between his love and his family

Finally, those among the supporting cast finished off the carefully created story. Riff was masterfully embodied with swaggering confidence and undeniable charisma by Jonah Gigli. He brought depth to the cocky gang leader through his care towards his gang and his friendship with Topa, as well as solidly going beyond expectation in terms of dance and vocals. Anita (Nakfana Gidey) also dedicated herself to her character with sassy physicality in both her acting and her dancing.

The deeply saddening finale of West Side Story has remained a desperate call for understanding between those who are different and resonates even today. Behind every color of skin is a human being that is the same as any other human being. Woodrow Wilson's stunning production served as a reminder of both the powers and the limits of love.

Stuart Pratuch
West Springfield HS
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

The Atomic Age, The Nifty Fifties, whatever you call it, the 1950s were a source of innovation. However, not everything during this era was "nifty" which Woodrow Wilson High School's remarkable production of West Side Story proved superbly.

West Side Story originally opened on Broadway in 1957 with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The first run received the Tonys for choreography and scenic design. The show has since been a heavy source of revivals in regional, national, and internationals tours. The story follows that of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, placed in the Upper West Side of New York City during the 1950s. The musical replaces the family feud with that of racial struggles dominant in the 50s: the Montagues and Romeo with the Polish-American Jets and Tony and the Capulets and Juliet with the Puerto Rican Sharks and Maria. Complexities and depth are added by a Bernstein score as the tale of young love was explored impressively by Wilson's cast and crew.

Yana Madrid's approach to Maria's songs were incredible as she switched between two vocal registers flawlessly. Her renditions of "Tonight" and "I Feel Pretty" were especially impressive. Madrid's chemistry with Tony (Ben Topa) truly expressed the youthful love they had for one another. While Topa had troubles hitting the higher notes in Bernstein's score due to a cold, he fully committed to his role and established clear relationships with every character he encountered. Other standout performances include Riff (Jonah Gigli) and Anita (Nakfana Gidey) who both consistently sustained character and carried a great presence on stage. Both displayed a wide range of emotions from anger to despair to optimistic happiness.

Overall, the ensembles kept up energy. "America" was packed with power, while the comedic "Gee, Officer Krumkee" received a boisterous laugh from the audience. The Jets' outstanding chemistry shined as each member portrayed realistic characters who were both part of the ensemble itself and also their own person.

While the cast performed fantastically, the crew working behind the scenes executed their jobs with precision. The set changes in between scenes were quickly executed while the pit orchestra played diligently to keep up with the fast paced and demanding score. The costumes reflected the time period accurately. Some light and sound troubles occurred yet the actors' devotion to their roles allowed their mannerisms and actions to forward the story. The choreography became progressively complex yet the actors again undertook their hardships with the dances and fights outstandingly. Twirling dresses and realistic stage combat overtook the stage in a frenzy of excitement and shock.

Woodrow Wilson High School's production of West Side Story tackled this challenge head on creating an evening full of love, hope, and tragedy that ultimately conjured many tears from the audience.

Yvonne Nguyen
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Georgetowner

Feuding foes, shifting loyalties, and star-crossed lovers. Sound familiar? We all like to believe that love conquers all, but when rival gangs are involved, the outcome isn't pretty.

West Side Story sets the tale of Romeo and Juliet in the 1950's. Written by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story tells the tale of two rival gangs: the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks.

Ben Topa starred in Woodrow Wilson High School's production of West Side Story, as Tony, a Jet who dares to fall in love with the sister of Shark. Topa played a very earnest and endearing version of Tony, pulling on the heartstrings of audience members. He brought a youthful energy to the stage and had the audience rooting for him. Yana Madrid played opposite him as Maria. Her voice was truly the highlight of the show, a beautiful, clear soprano. In songs such as "Tonight" and "One Hand One Heart" the passion and chemistry between Topa and Madrid was evident and heartwarming.

Nakfana Gidey played a vivacious and lively version of Anita, bringing the character's spirited nature to life. In the song "America" Gidey's comedic character choices worked well and contrasted with the deep emotions she was able to portray later in the show. Gidey's ability to show variety as an actress was both refreshing and impressive.

The ensemble in this production really enhanced the show. The Jets Boys in particular, had such chemistry, that one would believe they had been friends all their lives. In "Gee, Officer Krupke" the Jets had the audience laughing out loud. Zac Nachbar-Seckel (Action) was especially an asset to the ensemble. His full commitment and energy radiated from the stage and made the performance much more enjoyable to watch.

At some points in the show, there were issues with the sound. Between these issues and the Puerto-Rican accents, some lines were hard to hear. However, what they lacked in sound, the production made up for in lighting, costumes, and orchestra. The clever costuming made it easy to tell who was a Shark and who was a Jet, while still keeping the distinctions subtle and natural. The orchestra was a force to be reckoned with as they aggressively tackled the difficult music in West Side Story. The orchestra elevated every scene, reinforcing the dramatic atmosphere in the auditorium.

Overall, Woodrow Wilson High School pulled off a dynamic show, filled to the brim with energy. The ensemble and leads worked well together to create a heartwarming as well as heart wrenching performance of West Side Story.

Tiffanie Snyder
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Submitted for publication to Current

A wise man once said, "Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none". This was William Shakespeare. Based off of Shakespeare's most well known play, Romeo and Juliet, the musical West Side Story, performed by the school Woodrow Wilson, demonstrates this love, trust, and wrongdoing.

West Side Story, ingeniously crafted by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim, takes place in the Upper West Side of New York in the 1950's. The story involves two teenage gangs of different ethnicities: the classic American Jets, and the Puerto Rican-American Sharks. Within the two rivalries, "a pair of star-crossed lovers" named Tony and Maria fall in love.

Yana Madrid's Broadway-caliber voice captivated audiences with her performance as Maria. She seamlessly transitioned between her chest voice to her head voice for songs such as "I Feel Pretty" and "I Have a Love", and sang with an electrifying amount of clarity. Charm and poise was evident in her acting choices, and her dancing was also exquisite. To counter her gentle femininity, Tony, played by Ben Topa, dominated the stage with his infectious energy. He consistently maintained the same level of energy throughout the performance. Together, the pair shared natural chemistry. Topa's deeper register contrasted beautifully with the airy, delicate soprano notes of Madrid.

The Jet boys' ensemble, led by the confident Jonah Gigli as Riff, had undeniable chemistry. They truly seemed as if they were all brothers. The number "Gee Officer Krupke" in Act Two, was the highlight of the show. Sang by Action, who is Zac Nachbar-Seckel, the song incorporated flawless singing with hilarious accents, goofy movement, and comical yet spectacular acting. Not to mention, Nachbar-Seckel and the rest of the boy Jet gang mastered their enunciation gloriously.

Although West Side Story includes difficult dance combinations and vocally advanced songs, Woodrow Wilson High School gave an outstanding performance.

Aliya Qureshi
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to

Turf wars between two New York street gangs sets a backdrop for an unlikely love story amidst rival factions. Colorful costumes and challenging choreography characterize Woodrow Wilson High School's West Side Story. The Sharks and Jets outperform each other in a frenzied attempt to mark their dramatic territory.

The 1950s spin on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet had 732 original performances on Broadway and four revivals since its debut in 1957. West Side Story (a collaborative effort from Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Jerome Robbins) was nominated for six Tony Awards; the 1961 film adaptation won ten of eleven Oscar nominations.

The Upper West Side is run by the all-American Jets, but the Puerto Rican Sharks are moving in. Although at times it appears as though some actors are marking the difficult dances, this heavily choreographed show is impressively executed by Woodrow Wilson's high school troupe. Even when winded, actors maintained their stage presence and energy, and wow the audience by singing big numbers full of physical exertion. Typically challenging for a high school production is the dramatic authenticity of a fight scene, but again, Woodrow Wilson's production is visually hectic and believable.

Although some accents are overdone or inconsistent, Yana Madrid's glorious vocals as Maria set the tone for the love and angst in the show. She maintains her Puerto Rican accent throughout, and depicts Bernardo's mourning sister beautifully and realistically. Ben Topa's Tony is a more twitterpated and teenage take on the role than other versions, but it makes his reckless and spontaneous Romeo motivations more understandable than those adult depictions. Jonah Gigli's Riff is stellar; his perfect New York accent, comedic timing, and handle on the choreography are apparent. Elizabeth Harrison's comedic contribution as Glad Hand at the intense high school dance where Tony meets Maria helps the audience pinpoint the distinction between the adults and teens.

The Jets each make strong character choices, creating a dynamic ensemble. The Puerto Rican Shark girls performance of "America" was physically and vocally executed perfectly.

Woodrow Wilson's classic depiction of West Side Story is visually impressive and physically entertaining.