Here are the Cappies reviews for West Side Story. There were 23 critics at your show,
and up to now we have received 21 reviews. If we receive late reviews, we will forward
them to you.
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-------------------------------------------------Rivalries, romance, drama and incredible voices; is what delivered to an audience
member when making the greatest decision to attend West Side Story. A play
preformed by the students of Welland Centenial Secondary School.
The play takes place in the 1950's. The story line consits of many conflits between The
Jets (Austin Wheeler, Bradley Doyle, Bryce Stadnyk, Sebastian Voth, Tim Canmpbell,
David Gangnon, Owen Alexander, Eric Egert, Isaac Lunn, Nick Galway-small, Alex Arth,
Damon Griffith, Keegan Patrick) and The Sharks (Zack Voth, Trey Whitwell, Mike
Naszadoes, Drew Kamps, Luca De Freitas, Austin Moar, Noah Fuaco, Paul Slipak, Cole
Fast, Drake Severinsky, Mackenzie Nesbitt)
The cast of the play all did an amzing job when it came to making the switch from their
regualr modern day teenager to the well known 1950's edgy New Yorker. West Side
Story, being a musical, of course had amzing voices. Anita, played by Daphne Mowat,
did an amzing job projecting her voice through the large theater, as well as creating a
very believeble Puerto Rican woman. Along with Maria played by Jessica Wilson, who
also did ana mazing job when it came to keeping the audience engaged on the edge of
their seats to see what would happen next!
Along with the great voices, there was many superior dance numbers that were seen
oon stage. It is not everyday that you see a goup of boys preforming excellent dances
while singinng all at the same time! The Jet Boys preformed GEE, OFFICER KRUPKE
amazingly. The dance moves through out the song looked very profesional and very
natrual too.
Over all, West Side Story is a excellent show presented by students who had much
dedication. The story line is intreging and very enjoyable. With amazing voices and
superior dances, this musical is not something you would want to miss!
by Nina Morales of Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary
--------------------------------------------------
It’s 1957: upper west side of New York City. The lights are low, the music is loud, and
dancing gangs fill the street for this year’s musical production of West Side Story
preformed by Welland Centennial High School.
West Side Story is an American musical written by Arthur Laurents based on the
Shakespearean tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. The musical explores the rivalry between
the opposing gangs consisting of the Polish-American Jets and the Puerto-Rican
Sharks. However, when Tony and Maria, both members of opposing gangs, meet, they
instantly fall in love. As conflict arises between the two gangs, the star-crossed lovers
find themselves caught up in confusion, leading to tragedy and despair.
Welland Centennial’s adaptation of the beloved musical, West Side Story, was truly a
student orientated production consisting of fifty-six performers, accompanied by a
student-alumni band of six, whose talents brought the classical and challenging scores
alive to the riveting story of love and tragedy.
Leading the cast was Jessica Wilson who artistically portrayed the role of Maria.
Wilson’s musical range was both striking and appealing, especially in her gripping
performance in Tonight. Along her side was Derrick Thibault, whose believable
performance of the lovesick teen Tony was evident not only in the first act, but through
out the up-beat second act as well.
Supporting actors included Daphe Mowat, who played the comedic role of Anita.
Mowat’s use of impeccable mannerisms and accents captivated audience members,
especially in her solo, America. Others included Austin Wheeler and Zach Voth, who led
the opposing ensembles. The gratifying stage presence and musical abilities of the Jet
Boys through out the musical provided an even more enjoyable piece. The
choreography in the show was both stimulating and physically demanding, which
surpassed high school expectations.
The actor’s active use of the eye-catching set pieces along with the complimentary use
of somber lighting provided a chilling environment that complimented the setting for the
musical. Although there were minor sound difficulties with actors at points, the
performers were able to overcome this with their up-lifting spirits and interactions within
the performance.
by Braden Kenny of Denis Morris Catholic High School
-------------------------------------------------A spinoff from the classic story of Romeo and Juliet and a timeless musical. West Side
Story might be an overwhelming show for a high school to put on. So was Welland
Centennial School able to pull it off? The answer is undoubtably yes.
Set in the 1950's, two street gangs are at war in the alleyways of New York. The
Sharks, a Puerto Rican group, and the American Jets. As these two gangs organize a
fight two members, one from each side, fall in love. The two lovers struggle to keep the
gangs at peace and be together. However, when blood is shed death tears the two
apart.
From the opening of the curtains, it was unbelievable that this was a high school
production. Throughout the show, each of the 56 cast members amazed the audience
with sharp dancing. Some of the dancing was intimate between characters, while most
of it was fun and upbeat.
The Jets are a bunch of hoodlums who follow their leader, Riff (Austin Wheeler). Riff
asks help from the former leader Tony (Derrick Thibault) when he decides to challenge
the Sharks to a rumble at the dance. Tony explains how he feels like he is missing
something in his life but will still show up at the dance to support his old buddies.
At the dance the audience sees that the Sharks are just as tight as the Jets. Their
leader, Bernardo (Zach Voth) excepts the challenge. The only two people from both
sides who actually mingle is Tony and Maria (Jessica Wilson). But their happiness
doesn't last long because Maria finds out about the rumble and needs Tony to stop it.
But at the fight things get out of hand. Bernardo kills Riff and Tony gets so angry that he
decides to kill Bernardo, the brother of Maria.
Anita (Daphne Mowat), who is quite enthusiastic and alive in act one turns cold in act
two at the loss of her boyfriend Bernardo. Daphne looked as if she didn't want to move
on in life, which was perfect for her character. This wonderful singer also played her role
on stage whether it was her line or she was just in the background. Despite her loss,
Anita still helps Maria and Tony be together.
Since Welland Centennial has been rehearsing this musical since September, one
could see the chemistry between the characters. Especially Thibault and Wilson. The
duets of these two are beautiful due to their voices. When one of the Sharks finds Tony
he doesn't hesitate to shoot him. Maria's reaction to seeing her love torn away from her
for good is moving. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, Maria lives on without her love which, in a
way, is worse then her dying with him.
This production was astonishing. The voices of the cast were beautiful. Having the
actors in their roles even when it wasn't their time really tied the show together. It made
it a wonderful evening.
by Ellie Kenny of Denis Morris Catholic High School
--------------------------------------------------
It’s the 1950’s in the upper west side of New York City. This is where you will find
romance, rivalries, action, and some amazing dance moves. Welland Centennial’s
production of West Side Story brought all of this to the stage.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, West Side Story brings a 1950’s spin on
the play, as well as fantastic songs and choreography. In the upper west side of New
York, two rival gangs continue their fight over ownership of the neighbourhood. The Jets
have grown up in the neighbourhood, and they are not pleased when a Puerto Rican
gang, the Sharks, come and try to steal their turf. The Jets, led by Riff, invite the Sharks
and their leader, Bernardo, to a community dance, where they will challenge them to a
rumble. The dance is where Maria, Bernardo’s sister, and Tony, former Jets leader and
Riff’s best friend, first meet. It is love at first sight for Maria and Tony, but they struggle
with their forbidden love, as the people around them continue to fight and even kill.
The dancers in this production successfully pulled off the choreography making the
show truly exciting to watch. Each dancer moved in expressive ways and added great
effect to each musical number being performed.
Maria (Jessica Wilson) was played exceptionally well. Wilson stayed in character
throughout the entire production, and she blew the audience away with her vocal
talents. She successfully played Maria as being happy and in love, but also was able to
relate the audience to her pain of losing the one she loves. Tony (Derrick Thibault) is a
sweet, and fairly independent character. Thibault expressed the character of Tony very
well, and the whole audience felt his pain and frustration as he was yelling out, wanting
to be killed.
Riff (Austin Wheeler) is a fun and exciting character. Wheeler caught the attention of
the crowd with his incredible dance moves and vocal talents. The audience got to
experience the humour of Riff and the Jets gang throughout the musical, but especially
in the musical number, “Gee, Officer Krupke”. All of the performers in this number sang
exceptionally well and successfully performed choreography that made the number truly
hilarious and entertaining.
The set was done very well, making great use of the stage by having a balcony they
could also use for scenes. There were times when some vocalists could not be heard
as well as others, however, they definitely pulled off a successful performance with
many vocal talents that made the show a memorable one.
Welland Centennial successfully brought the audience to the neighbourhoods of the
Upper West Side of 1950’s New York. The performers showed the pain and struggle we
all must go through when it comes to true love.
by Grace D'Achille of Denis Morris Catholic High School
--------------------------------------------------
Singing in the Rain, My Fair Lady, and The Sound of Music. All landmark films in the
“new Hollywood” musical era that embodied the whimsical and awe-inspiring culture of
the time. Yet there was one famous reimagining of a timeless Shakespearian tragedy
that stood out for being a truly authentic representation of the heavily occupied nature of
1950’s New York. Only through becoming as passionately edgy and bold as the
aforementioned story of love and violence did Welland Centennial break new ground in
telling the time old tale of West Side Story.
For every Montague there is a Capulet and for every Jet a Shark, the hatred these
groups have for each other remains the same only with a welcoming sense of musical
flair and a stylized setting of the modern world. Both gangs are in a constant state of
territorial dispute, progressively escalating to violent confrontation and in between the
conflict is former Jets leader Tony. After being re-introduced into gang culture by the
Jets current leader Riff, Tony finds himself colliding towards destiny when he meets
Maria, the sister of the Sharks leader Bernado. As with Shakespeare’s Romeo and
Juliet, the optimistic love that exists between Tony and Maria lives in an endlessly
pessimistic world which threatens their romance as the war of prejudices rages on.
The performances of the night range from brilliantly subtle to emotional and heart
wrenching, all of which work wonders. The two leads of Derrick Thibault and Jessica
Wilson flawlessly display their emotions and desires with believable chemistry and
sensational vocal contributions. With such a large cast it comes as no surprise that
impressive ensembles like the Jet Boys and Shark Girls complete the show’s large
scale and lively atmosphere while also allowing significant supporting voices to shine
such as Austin Wheeler and Zach Voth. One of the show stealing performances of the
night came from Daphne Mowat, who found a perfect balance between charismatic
firecracker and mournful victim in her reluctant support of Maria’s love.
With music and set pieces as iconic as West Side Story, the challenge of adapting the
show’s production seemed effortlessly handled by Welland Centennial’s highly skilled
stage crew. From the breathtaking lights and props of the city scene to the intricate
choreography and faultless use of wireless microphones, there is always something to
look at in amazement. While the actors are sometimes constricted to one area in
between the stunning scenery, the sheer craftsmanship of the steel environment and
professional fluidity of each set transition draws attention in the best possible way.
Further developing the challenging themes of Arthur Laurent’s tableau of human
tragedy with vibrant spectacle and maturity, Welland Centennial leaves the audience
with a relatable message long after the show’s devastating conclusion.
by Graham Smith of Denis Morris Catholic High School
--------------------------------------------------
In order to tell the tale of two young lovers from rival gangs in 1950s New York, Welland
Centennial High School was faced with the challenge of transforming the setting – and
their approach was exactly what makes the show as fantastic as it is. Following the
story of Tony (Derrick Thibault), former leader of the native New York Jets gang, and
Maria (Jessica Wilson), the younger sister of the rival Puerto Rican Shark gang’s leader,
Bernardo (Zach Voth), West Side Story is an incredible musical that pays homage to
Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The cast’s adaptation brought the violent yet
passionate story to great heights, and the emotion portrayed only enhanced the
inevitable tragedy that would unfold. With soaring musical numbers and heartwrenching scenes, Welland Centennial’s cast and crew were able to reflect on the
horrible aftermath of prejudice and hatred.
The talented cast was strong from start to finish, either in musical performance or
spoken word acting – the opening ‘Jet Song’, performed by the Jets gang ensemble and
strongly led by the gang’s leader, Riff (Austin Wheeler) was a raucous start to the play.
Other songs, such as ‘America’, led by Anita (Daphne Mowat), Rosalia (Savannah
Prokopetz), and the Shark girls, or ‘Gee, Officer Krupke’, carried by Action (Bradley
Doyle) and the boys of the Jets gang, offered a comedic break from the tensions within
the play – all while flashing hints of the political problems of the time. And among all of
these loud, empowering numbers, the love ballads between both Tony and Maria offer a
sweet refuge from the drama of the story. Thibault’s execution of both solo and duet
pieces was a beautiful shift from the rowdy voices of his gang friends, and Wilson’s
voice was extremely developed and wonderfully harmonious, no matter who she sang
with or when she sang.
The set must also be mentioned, as it was both extremely minimalistic and yet more
than enough to tell the story. Welland Centennial must be commended on the fact that
they brought in roughly two thousand pounds of metal in order to form walkways and
stairs, adding to the gritty vibe of the West New York slums. Exceptional lighting and
sound gave the play a whole new depth, as did the musical contributions of the band,
which played live through speakers wired from an entirely separate room.
Welland Centennial High School has taken a beloved Broadway musical and done it all
the justice it deserves – and then some – and for that they should be proud. To be able
to tell such a powerful story is not an easy task, but the cast and crew went above and
beyond to share Tony and Maria’s story with all of the respect the characters, and the
musical itself, deserves.
by Isabella Perrone of Denis Morris Catholic High School
-------------------------------------------------Welland Centennial Secondary School took audiences back in time to the back allies of
New York City, 1957, this weekend in their production of West Side Story. Based on
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story tells the tale of two rival gangs - the
American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks - fighting to control the streets of the upper
west side. One night at a dance, Tony, a Jet, meets a girl named Maria and they fall in
love. The only problem is that Maria's brother Bernardo is the leader of the Sharks.
Chaos ensues as both gangs try to prevent the pair from being together.
With a cast of over 50 students, something was always happening on stage. The
intricate dance numbers wowed the audience, the music moved the story along
effortlessly, and the complex fight scenes had the audience on the edge of their seats.
The massive, two story set was simple and impressive and set the tone for the whole
show.
Jessica Wilson as Maria brought the audience to tears by the end of the show with her
amazing voice and emotional performance. Maria's best friend Anita (Daphne Mowat)
had enough sass in one skirt-swish alone to more than make up for Maria's innocent
attitude. Playing Tony, the "Romeo" in this Romeo and Juliet story, Derrick Thibault had
the audience rooting for his character by the end of his first song. Bernardo and Riff
(Zach Voth and Austin Wheeler) were the leaders of the two street gangs, and the
conflict between the two characters was evident right away. Both were strong singers
and dancers, and they really succeeded in defining their characters.
All in all, Welland Centennial's production of West Side Story was spectacularly carried
out. The quality of acting, singing and dancing was well above that of an average high
school production, and the entire show was powerful and passionate. It is a production
that is truly worth seeing!
by Shannon Timmins of Denis Morris Catholic High School
-------------------------------------------------Originally performed on Broadway in 1957, many adaptations of Leonard Bernstein’s
West Side Story have blessed the open and silver screen, a notable one being Welland
Centennial Secondary School’s performance.
Directed by Mrs. Neufeld, Romeo and Juliet are revived from the classic pages of
Shakespeare and are transformed into the relatable West Side Story. With two rival
gangs established in the 50’s fighting for Manhattan territory, bloodshed ensues. The
gang the ‘Jets’, a predominately white gang and their leader Riff (Austin Wheeler) are
constantly challenged by the Puerto Rican gang the ‘Sharks’ and their leader Bernardo
(Zach Voth). Ex-Jets member Tony (Derrick Thibault) brings Romeo to the tale and
plummets into the love with Bernardo’s sister Maria (Jessica Wilson) at a local dance.
The tragedy follows the two lovebirds in their quest to find love and to leave gangland
America behind them.
Larger actors such as Maria and Tony gave a vocally and visually stunning
performance. Important characters who not only tied key plot pieces together but made
the show gratifying to watch was the Shark girl Anita (Daphne Mowat), who was a sassy
Puerto Rican woman with the moves and vocal range to prove it, and Jets member
Action (Bradley Doyle) who gave an honest portrayal. The inconceivable cast of 50 plus
members, including hard demographics to work with, all meshed artistically.
If one just heard the band playing, one would never know it was composed of only six
members. Songs such as ‘Tonight’ exhibited Tony’s and Maria’s strong vocal ranges
and their love for each other, while songs such as ‘Gee, Officer Krupke’, showed
choreographer Ms. Wylde’s expertise. Each song, while difficult, pushed the plot along
and gave the audience a look into the characters mind. Having 24 open microphones,
singing and music to keep track the Sound and Light crew did an incredible job.
The unseen backstreets of Westside New York are given the spotlight and enhanced by
the tasteful and equally ravishing sets. The 2000-pound fire escape was the main focus
point of this minimalistic set. Sets created by Mr. K. Krasnay and team worked the entire
set around the fire escape but added small pieces such as Doc’s store or Maria’s
bedroom to give the story varied location. Despite the set having stationary pieces, it
was versatile enough to display multiple scenes but never took away from the
professional acting onstage.
The divide between the groups was not only evident because of their ethnicities but also
by their attire. Designed by Mrs. L. Martino, the difficult task of dressing gang members
similarly but still showcasing individuality was attractively executed. The Jet boys had
the greaser look completed with jeans, converses and leather, while the Sharks kept
true to their roots with slicked back hair and freshly pressed dress shirts.
Welland Centennial Secondary School “played it cool” and brought the hard streets of
Westside Manhattan to our own backyards.
by Alexandria Pozojevic of Eden High School
-------------------------------------------------Passionate, enthralling, and the last thing from cheesy. Welland Centennial’s
performance of West Side Story nearly lifts the audience off their seats.
The story covers a lot of discrimination, both of women and foreigners. This was
covered with strength, but also delicacy. This caused a flame to start in the audience,
and their consciences to start tugging at their collars, urging them to get the message.
The music was the spark. The escaping melodies, and encouraging harmonies brought
the mending of companionship between all groups in the play lovers, families, gangs, or
friends.
West Side Story features two gangs in upper west New York City: the jets, and the
sharks. The Jets led by Riff (Austin Wheeler), have grown up in the area, but now have
to share the streets with the recently immigrated sharks. The sharks, led by Bernardo
(Zach Voth), come from Puerto Rico. Both gangs want the area as their own. Tony
(Derrick Thibault), a jet becomes mystified by Bernardo’s sister Maria (Jessica Wilson)
at the community dance. She feels the same way, but their love is interrupted by the
gangs’ prides. The aftermath is much like Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet.
As in most musical’s Maria’s (Jessica Wilson) singing was incredible.Tony (Derrick
Thibault) had a voice which gave a soft contrast to Maria’s (Jessica Wilson). Bernardo’s
girlfriend, Aneta’s (Daphne Mowat) unique voice spiced up the entertainment.
Bernardo (Zach Voth) and Riff (Austin Wheeler) led their charges in music as well as
leading their gangs into the blood-pumping stage combat. This exciting and vital part of
the play, was well guided by Keegan Patrick.
Side stepping along, the Jets voices also danced their way into the audiences ear.
Especially in Gee, Officer Krupke where the choreography jumped out as well, literally.
Through the whole performance there was barely a moment to breath. Girls tossed in
their heels, and landing only to spin off to the next jump; both the Jets’ and the Sharks’
giddy dancing entranced all. With a cast of fifty six, it would be expected that the entire
group would do the same moves, but this was not the case. It excited the eyes-everyone was doing something different. The stage was full of movement, always on
beat with the groovy five piece orchestra. Just a few of sly shufflers, swingers, and
singers: Rachel Scott, Savannah Prokopetz, Maxsene Morgan, Bradley Doyle,
Sebastian Voth, and Tim Campbell.
With such a large cast, a large space is needed. The rustic set along with the awesome
auditorium and lighting, gave the performance just that. It was simple, and practical, but
attractive, and drawing.
Not only physical space, but vocal space also needed to be controlled. This was done
smoothly by Jordan Barnartt, and Tom McKenzie. “You done good, buddy boy(s).”
Welland Centennial brought passion, love and prideless community to where it was
needed in the big ol’ gritty city.
by Eli Willms of Eden High School
-------------------------------------------------Hidden within the dark, sketchy back alleys of 1950s New York City, concealed under
thousands of pounds of raw steel and just beyond a thick curtain of mysterious fog, one
discovers the expertly performed musical, West Side Story, of Welland Centennial.
Bursting with passionate themes of hate, forbidden love and prejudice, the audience
was immediately thrust into the heart of the musical by the endless talent and bold
lyrics.
The mesmerizing tale instantly plunges into the racial tension of two rival gangs, the
all American Jets against the Puerto Rican Sharks, both sides driven by their
detestation and determined to rule the streets. Suddenly the impossible occurs at a
community dance when Tony, former Jets member, and Maria, sister of Bernardo,
leader of the Sharks, find themselves helplessly lost in each other’s gaze and in a
whirlwind of intense new love. When their affections are discovered by opposing
leaders, the two lovers are separated; could their love ever survive against the hatred
that surrounds them? The answer is unveiled when a plot of a vicious rumble erupts
between the Jets and Sharks which Tony tries desperately to prevent at the request of
Maria...but this interception ends in life-altering consequences.
The orchestra’s ability to accurately capture the essence of the time period and to
provide engaging background melodies during action-packed brawls was phenomenal.
The complex choreography and constant dancing were stunningly executed, topped off
with numerous fight scenes, which whether playful banter or to-the-death, were a
pleasure to watch.
But the song that certainly stole the night was the flawlessly performed and
immensely entertaining, “Gee, Officer Krupke”, lead by Action (Bradley Doyle)
accompanied by the Jets. With aerobic fluency and deep, vibrating voices of unified
young men, every detail was entrancing and hilariously performed.
The most captivating stage presence would gladly be awarded to Anita (Daphne
Mowat), Bernardo’s girlfriend, who left the audience dazzled during a harmonic duet
with Maria and amused by the suggestive use of her skirt. Effortlessly adopting the
accent, Mowat performed realistically and powerfully during her attack by the Jets,
blowing the audience away.
But the powerful vibrato that kept the audience clutching desperately to their seats,
willing each song to never end, belonged to the brilliant, and professionally delivered
character of Maria (Jessica Wilson). Emotional and inspiring, the duets and solos were
sung with reckless abandon and passionate volume. The duets with her partner, Tony
(Derrick Thibault), were beautiful as they sang together.
Overall the performance and messages of West Side Story were presented
passionately, drastically and unforgettably, not allowing the audience to walk away
unchanged.
by Emma Lailey of Eden High School
-------------------------------------------------Inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is, on the
surface, a romance set in a 1950s blue-collar neighborhood in the Upper West Side of
Manhattan. The Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks are rival gangs in the neighborhood.
They are forced to collide like never before when Tony, a former member of the Jets,
and Maria, the sister of a Sharks member, fall in love. On a deeper level, this production
explores biases, prejudice, hate, and violence.
This fifty-six member cast was chock full of powerful vocalists, actors, and dancers.
Anita (Daphne Mowat), the saucy girlfriend of Bernardo, delivered a swinging
performance, in both dancing and singing, of “America”. “Gee, Officer Krupke”
performed by Action (Bradley Doyle) and the Jet Boys was a positively engaging and
memorable performance. Maria (Jessica Wilson) was perhaps the most notable
vocalist. Her performance of “Tonight” was like a night out at the opera.
The set of the production accurately captured the streets and buildings of the city. A two
thousand pound metal staircase was the most remarkable and pivotal set piece. It
evoked the back alleys and fire escapes of New York. The lighting was a critical
component for the recreation of the city. The faint silhouettes of high-rises were shone
onto a dark background. This made the cast appear as if they truly were on the streets
of New York.
The costumes were reminiscent of the 1950s. As expected, the Jets wore blues and the
Sharks wore reds. Of course both gangs wore plenty of leather with slicked back hair.
The full and bustling skirts of the Shark Girls contributed to their characters. The special
effects makeup by Kyla Della-Gatta was excellent with perfectly placed bruises and
black eyes.
Welland Centennial’s production of West Side Story demonstrated the power of love but
more importantly, it demonstrated the dangers of prejudice and hate.
by Imani Williams of Eden High School
-------------------------------------------------West Side Story
It’s not everyday that a violent gang war inspires both sympathy and amusement. Oddly
enough this was exactly the case for Welland Centennial Secondary School’s rendition
of the 1950’s musical West Side Story. The story begins with two rival gangs, the New
York Native ‘Jets’ clashing with the newly immigrated Porte Rican ‘Sharks’. This tense
situation only exacerbates with the entrance of a pair of star-crossed lovers, Tony and
Maria.
Tony (Derrick Thibault) an ex-Jet whose close friend Riff (Austin Wheeler) keeps
drawing him back into gang life unexpectedly falls for Maria (Jessica Wilson) an
innocent Porte Rican girl whose brother Bernardo (Zach Voth) happens to be the
Shark’s leader. However the heart wants what the heart wants and who can blame it for
wanting an awesome duet partner? Seriously though, Maria’s voice was clear, beautiful,
and incredibly powerful. Unfortunately for the lovebirds, their songs and attempts to end
the feud prove futile, for despite both gangs having some excellent dance moves they
simply refuse to get along. Go figure.
A word of comfort for those less inclined towards the angst and passion of forbidden
love, there are plenty of stunts, fight scenes and general testosterone-fuelled rowdiness
to quench any action enthusiast’s appetite. One mustn’t forget the tomboy Anybodys
(Rachel Scott) who not only proved fully able to hold her own with the Jet boys, but also
invaluable due to her clear thinking under pressure.
Despite the heaviness of the plot the cast carried it well, filling the stage with their
continuous kinetic energy. A few minor audio problems failed to distract from emotional
and action packed scenes. There were Jet Boys doing flips and flipping out (both of
which they did will great skill and intensity) Then not to be second to a Jet, Anita
(Daphne Mowat) a Shark and Bernardo’s girlfriend danced, sung and sassed her way to
the heart of the musical (in heels by the way) as she shone in both areas of comedy and
anguish.
Such blending was a common thread in the musical as the cast masterfully walked a
line between light and dark, silence and noise, stillness and chaos. They not only
portrayed the vivaciousness of youth, but also the pain of lost innocence. The musical
while entertaining with playful numbers like “Gee, Officier Krupke” also left the audience
musing over deeper themes concerning discrimination and senseless violence. After all
these issues are just as pressing in our world today as they were 60 years ago.
by Jade Muileboom of Lakeshore Catholic High School
-------------------------------------------------Rival gangs, sophisticated music, elaborate dancing, and hair gel; all elements
commonly associated with Arthur Laurent’s musical West Side Story. Welland
Centennial’s rendition of West Side Story stayed true to the original musical and proved
that young, new talent can be taught old tricks.
Set in New York City in the mid-1950s, West Side Story follows the rivalry of two
teenage street gangs of different ethnicities- the Jets and the Sharks. The Sharks gang
consists of Puerto Rican members who were constantly antagonized by the Jets, an
Eastern-European group. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, the
young protagonist, Tony (Derrick Thibault) of the Jets gang falls in love with Maria
(Jessica Wilson), sister of the Sharks gang leader Bernardo (Zach Voth). Maria’s friend
Anita (Daphne Mowat) is smitten with Bernardo and helps to keep Maria’s lover a
secret. It is when the two gangs decide to rumble that things begin to turn tragic and
many of the teens question their actions.
Welland Centennial used a 2,000 pound staircase to incorporate the grunge feel of the
West Side of New York. The actors made excellent use of the stage, and incorporated
the large stairs into many scenes that created a thrilling, and action packed
performance. Thibault and Wilson also employed mannequins as their parents in “ One
Hand, One Heart” adjusting and moving them about to create a comical scene of what
their first encounter would entail.
Shining as an incredibly strong female lead, Jessica Wilson was consistent in
maintaining a firm grasp of her character’s emotional state. Wilson provided a
passionate delivery of all lines and revealed even more talent throughout many
remarkable songs in which she dominated the stage and radiated into the audience,
exceeding all expectations.
Daphne Mowat displayed an immense amount of talent and skill through her true
embracement of character. Mowat preserved a continually strong stage presence and
captivated the audience with her large movements and fierce attitude, especially noted
in “America”. Mowat effectively portrayed a true sense of character development as the
plot unraveled many misfortunes for her character.
The Jet Boys which were led by Austin Wheeler (Riff) demonstrated skill and unity
throughout impressive choreography and group formations that filled the stage with
excitement. Wheeler embraced his character and administered the depiction of a
passionate gang leader who truly believed in his boys.
Simply put, Welland Centennial’s rendition of West Side Story portrayed the angst of
forbidden love, the tension amongst gangs and dangers of pride. The cast created an
accurate image and managed to transport the audience into the ‘50s through their
character identification and consistency. Filled with passion, energy and ethnic flares,
Welland Centennial told an old tale with excitement and dignity.
by Julia Van Brussel of Lakeshore Catholic High School
-------------------------------------------------Passion and Violence on Stage at Wellend Centennial
Imagine life on the lively streets of New York City in the 1950s. With the sky-scraping
metal bridges, authentic rusty stairs, quarrelling gangs and star-crossed lovers. Wellend
Centennial’s West Side Story brings that imagery alive with their delightful presentation
of the classic musical directed by Mrs. I. Neufeld.
The script itself is a take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and is widely driven by
the rivalry between the foreigner Sharks and the tireless Jets. Right from the top of the
show this conflict was introduced with a thrilling dance number that not only showcased
the extreme separation of the groups, but the talent on stage. Their movements were all
synchronized and performed with incredible enthusiasm throughout the entire musical.
At a dance involving both gangs, the optimistic and Puerto Rican Maria (Jessica Wilson)
meets the former Jet, Tony (Derrick Thibault) and fall in love instantly. When their
feelings are exposed, it lights the brewing fire and turns it into an intense flame.
Jessica Wilson and Derrick Thibault’s voices blend together just as well as their onstage chemistry. In particular, Jessica’s singing was capable of filling the enormous
auditorium and blew the audience away. Derrick, who was not as lively as his rowdy Jet
friends, looked at his love interest with a genuine softness and appeared truly smitten.
Together, they have the ability to convince a skeptic that love at first sight truly does
exist.
The two leads weren’t the only actors to stand out. Amongst the massively
accomplished cast of 56, the benevolent leader of the Jets named Riff (Austin Wheeler)
and the sassy girlfriend of the Sharks leader, Anita (Daphne Mowatt) were also stars on
stage. Austin Wheeler sang clearly whilst in character and performed with strong stage
presence. Even when his role wasn’t as dominant at the time, he’d add extra motions
that were accurate to the scenario and visually fortified his sense of character. As for
Daphne, she held such a powerful energy from head to toe until she was fully off stage
consistently. Daphne walked, talked, danced and expressed her emotion as Anita
would, resulting in an overall bold and believable performance.
The cast participated in a variety of dazzling numbers. There is an effective contrast
with the mix of using the total space for when a vast amount of actors were on stage
and then isolating it for the simpler and more heartfelt moments.
Lighting in this show manipulated the audience’s focus on stage ideally and also set the
mood during ardent circumstances. Jordan Barnett and Tom McKenzie were in charge
of the wireless microphones and did a marvellous job at making sure that the speaking
actors were clearly audible. Additionally, they had to manage the sound of the skillful
band that played finger-snapping jazz tunes with a perfect touch of Puerto Rican
influence.
Wellend Centennial’s West Side Story is a definitely must see whether you’re a musical
enthusiast or not.
by Alexa Ballis of Laura Secord Secondary
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Two gangs, two sides, one love. On Saturday, April 26, 2014, Welland Centennial
students lit up the stage with their riveting performance of West Side Story.
Similar to Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is about two forbidden lovers. They come
from different sides (family-gang) of rivals, but fall in love at first site. Facing many
obstacles, Maria and Tony try their best to be together, but is it all too much?
Sister of Sharks leader, but in love a Jet, Jessica Wilson took the stage with confidence
in her role as Maria. Wilson shocked the audience with her astonishing voice. Powerful,
clear, and diverse her voice commanded the staged with an impeccable range. In both
singing and acting, Wilson`s talent shone through. It was obvious that she is
comfortable on stage, staying in character and always being focussed. Wilson exhibited
excellent, realistic emotion that carried across the auditorium. From happiness, to lust,
determination, and devastation, she had a strong presence on stage. Wilson was the
overall package in this performance.
With the large cast, it was impressive to see all of the dancing and fighting. The dancing
was executed very well, with a high degree of effectiveness. The males were especially
impressive. They worked hard and accomplished great dancing, which was always on
time and in sync. The fighting scenes were excellent. Very realistic , it added great
effect to the plot line.
The set was very simple, but perfect. The 2000 pound stairs and walk way were a sight
to see. These large stairs truly brought life to the stage, creating the actual look of an
alley. The smaller set pieces were quickly transitioned and appropriate. This worked
very well with the dancing in the scenes; allowing for easy movement around the stage.
Another asset to the set was the lighting projected on to the wall; created to look like
building windows. This truly aided in creating the idea of a New York alley.
Overall, Welland Centennial's performance of Westside story was very well executed. It
kept the audience on edge and wanting more.
by Montanna Riley of Laura Secord Secondary
-------------------------------------------------Welland Centennial Secondary School brings back the well loved and well known West
Side Story to the stage with a bang. An impressive production equipped with realistic
violence, extensive choreography and a complex score showcases the story of the Jets
and the Sharks, a classic spin on the tragically famous tale of Romeo and Juliet.
It’s 1957 in the riff-raff of New York City, the Sharks from Puerto Rico have made the
Jets their sworn enemies since their arrival to America. This rivalry of the two gangs
results in the tale of forbidden love between Maria, a Shark, and Tony, a Jet. The play
highlights the conflict between oneself, society, and one another, and what it means to
put one’s differences aside.
The lead, Maria (Jessica Wilson), demonstrates a voice similar to that of a highly
talented Opera singer. Moreover, the choreography was unbelievably well executed for
a group of high school students. Every actor was focused in all aspects of acting,
singing, and dancing and gave a well-rounded performance.
The song Gee, Officer Krupke provided a great release of tension which this play loves
to instill, with its fun tempo complete with amazing singing and dancing. As a whole, the
play did well in providing this comic relief with its subtle comedy use throughout.
The set that Welland Centennial brings forth sets a new standard for high school
productions, with an enormous 2000 pound staircase as the centerpiece, beautifully
woven into each scene. The stage was uncluttered, which allowed the audience to
focus on the huge cast of over 50. With the large cast, the actors did a fabulous job of
using the entire stage throughout.
Welland Centennial managed the difficult task of putting on a fantastic performance of a
fantastic play with what seemed like ease, staying true to the classic but adding in their
own special touch.
by Sarah Jones of Laura Secord Secondary
-------------------------------------------------Welland Centennial Secondary’s production of West Side Story on Saturday night
showcased the incredible talent at the school. The show was beautifully put together,
and each member of the cast gave an outstanding performance.
The play, set in 1957 New York, tells a story of both joy and woe. The two main actors,
Maria (Jessica Wilson) and Tony (Derrick Thibault) are in love, but find themselves
stuck between the two conflicting gangs, the Jets which Tony belongs to, and the
Sharks, which Maria belongs to.
During each scene that she sang in, Maria vocalized an unbelievable range of notes!
Another actress in the play was Anita (Daphne Mowat) who’s captivating personality
kept the audience intrigued whenever she was onstage. In the first Act; Anita, Rosalia
(Savannah Prokopetz) and the Shark Girls perform a number called America, and both
the dancing and singing were superb. During the second Act, the cast went through a
series of movements where they had to hold tableaus for quite an extensive period of
time, and they executed that scene amazingly.
The choreography was very well done, and the actors made a great use of the whole
stage during their dance numbers. The orchestra and the cast did a great job of
syncing with each other throughout the entire play, despite not being able to see one
another. The stage design was simple, and that suited the play perfectly. The stage
wasn’t too cluttered and that gave the audience a better ability to focus on the acting.
With all of the intense scenes in the second Act, it was a very nice contrast when the
musical number Gee, Officer Krupke came on. This number was performed by the Jets,
and it was very light and comedic. Riff (Austin Wheeler), who plays the leader of the
Jets, was an amazing actor. Near the end of the play, Tony and Maria share an intimate
last moment in which the audience could really feel the raw emotion between the two.
The production, West Side Story, put on by Welland Centennial Secondary goes to
show the tremendous amount of skill that the students at this school have! A definite
must see!
by Victoria Kahari of Laura Secord Secondary
-------------------------------------------------The oldest story ever told graces Welland Centennial's stage
Vibrant reds and slick blues collided in a tangle of perfectly orchestrated violent chaos,
and the audience was immediately transported to the streets of 1950s Upper West Side,
New York, New York. Amidst a backdrop of skyscrapers and fire escapes, the Welland
Centennial High School cast lured old and young alike into the timeless tale of love from
the wrong side of the tracks in their version of Arthur Laurents’ classic: West Side Story.
Two gangs, the Jets (the old kings of the streets) and the Sharks (the new and vibrant
gang of young Puerto Ricans) struggled for power in a violent war of prejudice while
former Jet leader Tony—as played by Derrick Thibault—and Puerto Rican beauty
Maria—as played by Jessica Wilson—fell deeply and hopelessly in a forbidden love.
Thibault and Wilson expertly transitioned from the tender sweetness of a first kiss to the
agony of losing a soul mate, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats through
every last perfectly sung note.
Personality dripped from the voice of Riff, the new Jet leader (as played by Austin
Wheeler), and Wheeler’s cool and suave demeanor and ability to tap his feet to a
perfect rhythm with the help of a well practiced dance crew showed the contagious
feeling of the streets of the 50s. Daphne Mowat, who played vivacious and sexy Anita,
kept the audience cackling at witty jokes, as she impressed with her flawless Puerto
Rican accent. Her crew of Shark Girls keep the Latin energy at an all time high with
forays into the world of Mambo and Cha-Cha, performing impressive dance moves
while singing—quite a feat!
A crew of experienced musicians accompanied singers (who didn’t miss a single cue!)
with a variety of challenging music, from slow and classic violin solos to lively music with
a definite Latin flare while a simple set designed by students proved to be exactly what
the play needed; a metal fire escapes weighing over two thousand pounds as well as
other versatile set pieces were moved in and out from scene to scene with flawless
grace.
Costumes fitting of the era and student done makeup, as well as near flawless lighting
and sound, gave the play mood and feeling, allowing the audience to become captured
in the violent turf war between young New Yorkers. A strong crew allowed for hilarity
and disaster, in seamless moment-to-moment action.
A story as old as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Welland Centennial’s West Side
Story cast expertly captured the idea of love in difficult situations, as well as pointedly
portraying prejudice, making the play relevant to a 2014 audience. Bravo, Welland
Centennial, and “buenos tardes”!
by Justine Hamilton-Arvisais of Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
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