On Theater: A stirring “West Side Story” at Vanguard

Few American musicals have enjoyed a more consistent shelf life than “West Side Story,” born in 1957, winner of the best picture Oscar for its 1961 movie version and currently on Broadway in an “updated” interpretation.

Locally, the Jerome Robbins/Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim creation surfaced at Garden Grove’s GEM Theater last year and now is on stage in a viscerally engaging production at Vanguard University’s Lyceum Theater in Costa Mesa.

The staging by guest director T.J. Dawson and choreography by Vanguard’s brilliant Bretlyn Schmitt-Lazaris, who both work wonders on the theater’s tiny stage, is captivating. The intimacy of the Lyceum Theater creates an added sense of immediacy for the audience.

The theme is timeless — tensions between a white gang (the Jets) and a Puerto Rican one (the Sharks) are exacerbated over a battle for “turf” and a Jet youth‘s love for one of the Sharks’ girls. The latter plot device is especially emphasized in the Vanguard production.

Both Robert Ball’s Tony and Vanessa Burch’s Maria exhibit outstanding vocal prowess and deliver solid dramatic performances. Cynics may wince at the desperation of their passion considering they’ve barely just met, but this is a thematic element as well.

Charlton Hughes as Riff, the Jets’ leader, simmers with fury, as does Christopher Aguirre as the Sharks’ jefe, Bernardo, evidenced by their “war council” prior to the rumble. Bernardo’s slyly vivacious lady Anita is well played by Elisabeth Iniguez.

Some doubling in casting is necessitated with Barek Brzezinski functioning both as the gruff police lieutenant Schrank and the community leader Glad Hand, while Levi Fosterplays both Officer Krupke and his youthful lookalike Big Deal (additional dialogue points out the similarity).

Choreography, always a highlight at Vanguard, is sharp and pulsating, particularly in the dance at the gym where rival gangs compete. The dream ballet is impressive but superfluous, impeding the momentum of the story.

Dawson has borrowed a change from movie director Robert Wise and brought the Sharks into the “America” segment but stops short of transposing the “Cool” and “Gee, Office Krupke” numbers, another Wise move.

“West Side Story” ends on a plea for tolerance which could have been strengthened by having both gangs carry off Tony’s body as the lights fade, a memorable movie moment. Nevertheless, it’s a powerful and sensitive revival.

If You Go

What: “West Side Story”

Where: Vanguard University, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa (enter from Newport Boulevard)

When: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 and 7:30 through March 15

Cost: $15 to $19

Information: (714) 668-6145; vanguardtickets.com

More Theater in OC

Santa Ana’s Attic Community Theater is staging “The Full Monty,” a musical comedy about male strippers, running weekends through March 15. The theater is located at the intersection of Fairview Road and Segerstrom Avenue (enter from Segerstrom). Reservations: (714) 662-2525; ocact.com

Golden West College opened “Acting: The First Six Lessons” over the weekend. The play centers on the relationship between an aspiring actress and her demanding teacher. It runs through March 15 and reservations are taken at (714) 895-8150. gwctheater.com

Callboard: The Westminster Community Playhouse will hold auditions March 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. for the musical version of “Little House on the Prairie.” The theater is located at 7272 Maple St., Westminster. wcpstage.com/auditions

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