'West Side Story' is coming to River Campus

For one night only, a touring Broadway production of the hit musical "West Side Story" will light up the stage in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

Bob Cerchio, assistant director at the River Campus, helped bring the show to Southeast. A production by Troika Entertainment, the show began its tour in 2012. The same production company played at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis in January.

The original Broadway production had its debut in 1957 and put forth a new genre of musical within the industry. It pushed actors to not only play a dramatic role but have that same proficiency through dancing and singing as well.

"It has the triple threat, which has come and gone on Broadway: singing, acting, dancing," said Southeast dance professor Dr. Marc Strauss. "'West Side Story' is often given credit for forcing actors and actresses to develop their chops in all three areas. It's hard enough to do one."

The storyline is set in the 1950s within an Upper West Side neighborhood of New York. It follows the rivalry of two teenage street gangs -- New Yorkers called the Jets, and immigrants from Puerto Rico, the Sharks. One of the Jets falls in love with the sister of the leader of the Sharks. The plot was inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

Strauss points out this theme remains topical -- that a separation because of differences is timeless. "Romeo and Juliet" is still considered one of the greatest tragic love stories written, even 400 years later.

"'Why did they have to be at odds?' It's one of the age-old conflicts in society among people," Strauss said.

The production follows a revival script by original author Arthur Laurents and collaborator Lin-Manuel Miranda, using more Spanish-translated dialogue and lyrics in an attempt to better express the cultural setting.

Cerchio and Strauss said most people never realize the number of iconic songs in the show until they see "West Side Story." Strauss sang the well-known lines from "America."

"I like to be in America. OK by me in America," he sang.

Other well-known songs in the musical are "Tonight," "Maria," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere."

Whether a professional or an appreciator of music, the men said there's something for everyone. "The vernacular, jazzy, New York energy" found in the show, Strauss said, was some of Leonard Bernstein's and Jerome Robbins' best work.

"If you like musicals and you've never seen 'West Side Story,' you owe it to yourself to see what all the fuss is about because it's got all the important elements that go into all of the best musicals," Strauss said. "It's got them all. It's got great music by Leonard Bernstein, perhaps his most famous score. It's got great lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, who then went on to write words and music for dozens of Broadway shows. It's got great choreography by Jerome Robbins, who was trained in American Ballet Theatre and then worked for New York City Ballet."

"West Side Story" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Bedell Performance Hall. Tickets are available at the River Campus box office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, online at rivercampusevents.com or by calling 651-2265. Tickets range from $43 to $49.