ONCE the curtain has fallen on each of the Roo Theatre Company’s productions of West Side Story, the cast dissolves into tears. Such is their emotional investment in the 1957 Broadway classic.
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Set in the mid-50s in New York’s Upper West Side, the musical tells of American boy Tony who falls deeply in love with Maria, a Portuguese girl. The union complicates an existing rivalry between two racial gangs – the Jets and the Sharks.
The production was the first for the Roo Theatre Company and it returns bigger, bolder and better 23 years later with a cast of 35 and a 21-piece orchestra – Roo’s biggest yet.
Director Josif Jovanovski said his vision for West Side Story had been building for some time and although restricted by some copyright, he said he believed the production emphasised the raw elements of the story.
“I’ve pulled down all bars,” he said.
“It isn’t a very happy story at all, so that darkness is translated on stage. I’ve got the Jets and the Sharks and of course Maria and Tony a little darker than traditionally.
“You can play with light and shade, but the actor’s translation of the character itself is what really shines through. West Side Story doesn’t end happily and I’ve played with it a little bit to show that the Jets, who are perceived as loveable by the audience, are really not that different to the Sharks.
“You see the skin on every character pulled back and see their real side.
“There are elements in there that make me cry, so I’m hoping that translates through to the audience.”
Jovanovski said there was a deeper meaning to the production that he hoped would resonate with the audience.
“It’s real life. It’s fighting, angst and racism that still happens today so it’s quite a topical piece.”
Maria is played by Sarah Bestwick who said every night was an “emotional roller-coaster”.
“I find it challenging, I cry in scenes. I’ve walked off stage after the final scene and I am bawling my eyes out along with half the cast.”
“You really immerse yourself in the emotions of the scene and it changes every night, people say or do something differently, but it still feels real and that’s the beauty of working with such a great cast.”
In stage debut, Jonathon Liddle, who plays Tony, explains how he felt his character reflected many of the struggles people face today.
“I like to be a person who sticks out and does things a little different, but sometimes that works out and sometimes you get shot in the back,” he said.
“I sympathise with Tony because he was trying to do something good and get on with his life and then he has been thrown back in it, and I feel like that happens a lot in modern day society.
“Especially in terms of education and the gaps between the smart kids who are getting smarter and others who don’t find it that easy to make that jump.”
■West Side Story runs until Saturday, May 23 at the Roo Theatre Shellharbour, Addison Street, Shellharbour Village. Tickets are $30 adults and $25 concession. Available on the theatre company website, or phone 42972891.