September 2003

Original Choreography by:
Kelley King

Lighting Design: David Schmidt
Settings: Harwood Gordon
Costumes: Caryl Jackson
      Mary Sims
Stage Manager: Robert Zims
Photographer: Sandy Underwood

The three words West Side Story are instantly recognizable. When Tatyana asked me to choreograph an all dance production of the now classic musical and movie, I thought " Why not?" The score is amazing. The lyrics, unforgettable. The tragic story line, timeless. So, this is how I spent my summer vacation…

Hey! Let's put on a show! O.K. We need some dancers. We hold auditions. Lots of wonderful young dancers! Only one problem… no guys! All that kept running through my mind were scenes of the " all girl rumble". Oh no! This won't work. As we nweared rehearsal we found some gentlemen, lost some, found more again. So now we had a cast.

Rehearsals were underway. Lots of "updates". Too few guys dancing. Well, there are many more young females involved in gangs these days. I can see this working. Also, I wanted to bring a "collection" of West Side Story music to the production. Then there was the issue of no dialogue. Question… how do we tell this timeless story without a word? Answer… teach the dancers to act. So I began teaching my young suburban dancers about racial tension, passion, love, hate and murder.

Meanwhile, we still had no Tony. I was glad when Tatyana talked Steve Irwin into the part. Steve, Oliver and Jessica (our principals) have brought so much to the production and have helped guide the young performers to such excellence just by their example. I recall how much it excited me the first time I performed in West Side Story.

And so, I happily invite you to become involved in the musical evening of dramatic gangs, conflict, love, combat and passion as Next Generation Dance Co. presents West Side Story.

Kelley King