West Side Story: TUTS gives classic a contemporary edge

Discrimination. Intolerance. Violence.

They were themes taken from the headlines nearly 60 years ago, when Arthur Laurents penned what was to become one of the classic musicals of all time.

They are themes that, sadly, still resonate in the world today – and that’s one of the reasons why Caleb Lagayan, Kai Bradbury and Damon Jang are looking forward to taking to the stage in the Theatre Under the Stars production of West Side Story this summer.

West Side Story opens in preview July 7, with official opening July 13. Lagayan, Bradbury and Jang are all from Burnaby, and all three appear as members of the Sharks, the Puerto Rican gang that faces off against the white Jets in the Romeo and Juliet story set in 1950s New York City.

The musical – with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins – is best known by most audience members from the hit 1961 film.

But if the movie and its classic dancing, finger-snapping gang members are what you picture when you think of West Side Story, then think again.

“West Side is quite different from how people remember it being,” said Bradbury, noting that most people just seem to remember it as “two gangs dancing.”  “It has so much more depth than that. The story is more relevant now than it was in the ’50s.”

He notes that the plot of the film was taken straight out of the real headlines following a gang murder in 1950s New York City.

“It was fresh off the headlines then and definitely it feels like it is now, still,” he says.

Jang agrees, noting that this version of West Side Story, as envisioned by director Sarah Rodgers, will be different than audiences have seen before.

 “It’s darker, grittier, not as clean,” he says. “It leaves the audience with a feeling of loss.”

Jang says that, even in rehearsal, the power of the rumble and death scenes isn’t lost on the performers.

“I am holding my breath, I’m literally shocked and emotionally impacted by the work everyone is doing,” he says.

Jang says a big difference for audiences will be the choreography by Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, with an emphasis on contemporary and modern lines – all rooted in research into lesser-known forms of street dance that appeared in New York City in the 1950s.

 “This will appeal to a much wider generation of dance artists,” Jang says. “It feels different, it’s got a street feel.”

All three are grateful for the chance to appear in a classic like West Side Story.

“The music is fantastic,” Bradbury points out. “Everyone knows I Feel Pretty, everyone knows the Jet Song, America, Maria, Tonight … At rehearsal sometimes, I pinch myself. I think, ‘Wow, are we really singing this song?’ It’s so special.”

The 22-year-old actor is thrilled to be working with TUTS – which he calls “kind of a dream” for musical theatre performers in that it has the luxury of an extended rehearsal period for a professional-quality show.

For Lagayan, appearing on the TUTS stage is an eye-opening experience. The 18-year-old, who has just finished up his first year in the musical theatre program at Capilano University, points out TUTS offers a chance to work alongside and learn from performers with substantially more experience.

Among those performers is Jang – the veteran of the Sharks at the age of 30 – who has served as a community theatre instructor and choreographer at Byrne Creek Secondary, where Lagayan went to school.

Now onstage in his third TUTS production, Jang makes his way in the theatre world by taking on a whole host of roles – directing, teaching and performing are just a small part of what he’s done, alongside choreography, publicity, arts administration and backstage work.

He particularly appreciates TUTS, he says, because actors who have other skills are encouraged to bring those skills to the table – the performer appearing as Bernardo (Alen Dominguez) is also an assistant director; another performer with acrobatic skills has a chance to incorporate those into the gang choreography.  And Rodgers, when coming up with her overall vision for the show, gave each actor a chance to share their own vision for their character’s look and costuming.

“In addition to performing, we get to have our own ideas represented,” Jang notes.

While each of the three is immersed in bringing to life the nuances of his own character – Jang appears as the frenetic Anxious; Lagayan is the young and naïve Indio; and Bradbury as the gang leader’s right-hand man, Chino – they say the audience will be left impressed by every aspect of the production, from the sets and costumes to the dancing, singing and acting.

“It’s truly a piece of art,” says Jang.

 “Get ready,” adds Lagayan, “because this is not something you’re going to see coming. It’s definitely going to be something very different.”

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West Side Story runs at Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park from July 13 to Aug. 20, with previews July 7, 9 and 11. It alternates with Beauty and the Beast in the outdoor theatre. Tickets start at $30 for the regular run, or $20 for the previews. See www.tuts.ca for all the information.