West Side Story
at Godinez Fundamental High School

Reviewed on March 15, 2014

Allison Cruz
Aliso Niguel High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

"One Heart, One ‘Story' at Godinez Fundamental"

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Allison Cruz is a sophomore at Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Niguel


Whether in fair Verona or the urban jungle of New York City, love has the power to break down the ignorant walls of hatred and prejudice. Godinez Fundamental High School's production of Bernstein and Sondheim's "West Side Story" resounds with this universal message of love's undying strength.

A contemporary spin on the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet, this iconic musical features Tony and Maria, star-crossed lovers of the Upper West Side. Their relationship, forbidden by rival gangs (the Jets and the Sharks), tests the strength of emotion in the face of adversity.

Through a strong yet sweetly feminine physicality, the angelic Maria (Jocelyne Ramirez) quickly establishes herself as the pure hearted protagonist. Her expressive eyes and genuine smile highlight her first interaction with Tony (Gabriel Andrade), creating the perfect example of a love at first sight. Ramirez's light and airy soprano voice serves as the ideal complement to Andrade's rich, confident tone. In "Tonight," they prove that their love is as harmonious as their dulcet voices. Andrade, adroit in his ability to go from soft to loud, and vibrato to falsetto, demonstrates outstanding flexibility as both a singer and actor.

Also a standout character, the sassy and independent Anita (Wendi Regalado) impressively carries out a balance of energetic acting, singing and dancing in "America." Regalado's Puerto Rican accent, consistent throughout, only adds to the boldness of her personality. Just as bold is the hot-tempered Bernardo (Sergio Franco). His stentorian voice commands focus and indicates his leadership of the raucous Sharks. Riff (David Agosto) takes charge of his Jets as well, finding a comfortable medium between angst and pep.

The Sharks and the Jets, differentiated between unique clothing styles, express disdain and contempt that further separates them as warring ensembles. Each character has a distinctive charm, especially Action (Josue Diaz) and his animated, comedic spirit during "Gee, Officer Krupke." Still, they share every scene as equals, never truly overpowering the others or distracting from the overall scene.

Tactical lighting choices, most notably the blue wash during the dreamy scenes between Maria and Tony, skillfully reflect the sentimental mood of the tragedy with symbolic colors. Smooth set changes, in addition to consistent transition music, facilitate the fast-paced nature of the show.

In this moving production, Godinez Fundamental High School inspires with a powerful message of love that is as timeless as the story itself.

Sean Soper
Mater Dei High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Love and Passion at Godinez Fundamental

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Sean Soper is a junior at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana.

"West Side Story" tells the classic tale of Shakespeare's most famous work, Romeo and Juliet, set in the 1950's amongst the growing racial tensions between the immigrant youth hoodlums in New York City. The cast of Godinez Fundamental's production captures the essence of the classical musical through their provocative and exuberant story telling.

Leads Gabriel Andrade and Jocelyne Ramirez play the star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, each belonging to a different rival gang. Andrade's dreamy presence sets the tone for his beautifully sung lyrical ballads such as "Something's Coming" and "Maria" that mesmerize audiences. Likewise, Ramirez's playful and innocent Maria delights as she creates lovely and passionate moments with Andrade's Tony. Their amorous chemistry heightens the stakes as rivalries form and fights ensue.

The supporting cast is littered with immensely talented performers. David Agosto plays Jet leader Riff, and leads his gang of young boys through his distinct and commandeering hand gestures and body movements. Wendi Regalado portrays the sassy and confident Anita. Regalado's most remarkable talent is her ability to play an eccentric young woman in the first act, dancing wildly in songs like "America", and in the second act, she changes to become an emotional and passionate widow. Regalado and Ramirez display effective raw emotion in their passionate duets of "A Boy Like That" and "I Have A Love."

In a smaller yet significant role, Ashe Ryan, playing tomboy Anybody, delivers a ravishing "Somewhere" as she hopes for a better place beyond the hatred and violence that racism promotes. Likewise, Action (Josue Diaz) stands out from Jets through his physicality, conveying angst, and his comedic timing, especially in the hilarious comedic relief number "Gee, Officer Krupke."

As a company, the ensemble works as one cohesive unit that effectively tells the story, supplying a great amount of energy to the show. Of the ensemble numbers, the most remarkable of these is the "Tonight (Quintet)", which displays a harmonious mix of brash intensity from the gangs, and sweet melodies from solo performers.

Praise is due to stage manager John Westmyer, who successfully monitors microphone levels and calls cues during the show and keeps everything running smoothly throughout the entire performance.

Godinez Fundamental's expert cast of "West Side Story" has taken a timeless work of art that promotes acceptance and toleration and has moved audiences with their poignant story telling and impassioned performance.

Siena Brown
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Godinez Tells a West Side Story
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Sienna Brown is a sophomore at SOCSA Dana Hills in Dana Hills

A whirlwind tale of love at first sight, fatal rivalry, and perfectly synchronized snapping have made the musical "West Side Story" a classic, and Godinez Fundamental High School presents all of the above and more. Emphasizing the point where love meets hate, their production is one that shows the depth of drama, passion, and hope.

The show follows Tony (Gabriel Andrade), a romantic boy living in 1950's Manhattan. Andrade uses a gentle voice to portray his peace-loving character, growing ever sweeter as he sings about his sweetheart "Maria". His smooth vocals and clear falsetto give him a dreamlike aura, further establishing his role as a starry-eyed lover. However, in his moments of danger, Andrade is quickly able to transform Tony into a wild state, with a tightened body and a clenched jaw, as he focuses fervently on a mission to find happiness with Maria.

Maria (Jocelyne Ramirez) contrasts from her love interest as an ingénue with both heart and smarts. Ramirez's portrayal is one painted with beauty, from her reverberating soprano to her elegant twirls about the stage. A cheery smile and flouncy skirts make her seem the epitome of girlish youth, especially in her standout number, "I Feel Pretty." Ramirez also presents Maria with a sensible nature, showing her character as a bit hesitant in the fast paced romance her dreamy lover proposes. However, her golden moment lies at the end of the musical, where her wide-eyed madness and frantic arm thrusts show the toll the loss of love has taken on her.

Another notable performance is that of Wendi Regalado (Anita). Regalado's broad vocals and sassy hip swivels create a character teeming with confidence. Her strong acting skills reach their brightest point in "A Boy Like That" where she tearfully berates Maria for falling for Tony. Having said that, she also displays comedic genius in "America", where she makes use of a raised eyebrow and a ruffling skirt to display her freedom, a saucy scene that leaves the audience in stitches.

For ensemble, the Jets stand tall, snapping and tapping their way into the audience's hearts. Despite being a large group, every member is able to find individuality through their hilarious facial expressions, which never fall flat.

Godinez's take on this classic story of romance is utterly enjoyable and pensive, displaying their ability to truly play it cool.