Embedded Files
Greg Blankenbehler, Director
Greg Blankenbehler, Director
Tamra Braatz, Accompanist
Tamra Braatz, Accompanist
Virtus Presents . . .
Virtus Presents . . .
West Side Story
West Side Story
by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, & Arthur Laurents (1957)
Cast & Crew
Cast & Crew
Leads (in order of appearance):
Leads (in order of appearance):
Narrators: Dean Collier & Allison Dickman
Riff: Josiah Olivan
Action: Preston Edwards
Bernardo: Nathaniel Rodda
Chino: Anthony Duenas
Officer Krupke: Mark Bixler
Tony: Marco Lordge
Maria: Sabrina Dailey
Anita: Katerina Jimenez
Rosalia: Zariah Pinto
Virtus Choir Members:
Virtus Choir Members:
Sydney Abarca, Savannah Baldree, Reagan Barnum1, John Benson12, Thomas Benson2, Mark Bixler, Lillian Braatz12, John Brennan, Bailey Campbell, Dean Collier, Nathan Cubano1, Sabrina Dailey1234, Isaiah Del Castillo1, Allison Dickman1, Lleyton Dotoli1, Anthony Duenas, Claire Dyer, Preston Edwards1, Alina Eryomenko, Riley Fruits, Emma Hagey, Kai Henry, Kyara Hernandez, Micah Hindman, Hannah Jensen13, Rebecca Jensen1, Katerina Jimenez1, Ecaterina Lavrinenco, Isabella Lobkov, Marco Lordge1234, Addison Martin, Hannah McEndree1, Zaida Medina, Chris Merrill12, Nidhi Naidu, Josiah Olivan1, Zariah Pinto1, Nathaniel Rodda1, Ruth Rodda, Jessika Rubick12, Landon Simpson, Constance Smith1, Victoria Smith1234, Trevor Syphus, Xavier Torres1, Ella Trimpey1, Sydney Warnick1 (Recognition: 1. Honors, 2. Section Leader, 3. Regional Honor Choir, 4. All-State Honor Choir)
Production Crew:
Production Crew:
Director: Greg Blankenbehler
Producer: Zariah Pinto
Accompanist: Tamra Braatz
Drums: Christian Baldree
Choreographer: Zariah Pinto
Sound: Kiril Gavrilyuk
Lights: Polina Batishcheva, Jake Corsi
Stage Manager: Marianne Benson
Costumes: Zariah Pinto
Hair & Make-Up: Zariah Pinto, Allison Dickman
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the well-known tragedy of two young lovers caught up in the the senseless hate between their rival families, resulting in their tragic deaths. As a classic work that portrays human nature, this beautiful and touching story still resounds deeply with us today.
Tonight, we present an updated version of Romeo and Juliet, the musical West Side Story. Set in modern New York City rather than Renaissance Italy, the story portrays two rival ethnic gangs: the Caucasian Jets and the Puerto Rican immigrant Sharks. The “star-crossed lovers,” Tony and Maria, meet amidst this conflict, fall deeply in love, and plan to spend their lives together. But, their majestic dreams of blind love cannot overcome the ugly hatred between their friends and families, leading to the tragic fate of the couple.
Now, some 430 years after Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, we see that we still have much to learn from his timeless story. As long as we perpetuate hate between different groups of people – as long as we fail to treat every human being with respect and civility – we will continue to experience senseless violence and loss in our communities.
- Trouble in the Streets
The Caucasian Jets and Puerto Rican Sharks gangs form. As they begin to assert their dominance in the neighborhood, they inevitably come to blows, and are stopped by the over-worked cop, Officer Krupke. After he threatens them and leaves, the Jets mercilessly mock the faulty social forces meant to help the delinquent youth of the day.
The trouble is he’s lazy
The trouble is he thinks
The trouble is he’s crazy
The trouble is he stinks
The trouble is he’s growing
The trouble is he’s grown!
Krupke, we got troubles of our own!
Gee, Officer Krupke please take him away!
Cause no one wants an anti-social punk in their way!
"Officer Krupke"
"Officer Krupke"
Soloists: Josiah Olivan, Landon Simpson, Dean Collier, Marco Lordge, Micah Hindman, Anthony Duenas, Trevor Syphus
The lyrics have been altered from the original to be more appropriate for school.
Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke, ya gotta understand
It’s just our bringin’ upke, that gets us outta hand
Our mothers all are flunkies, our fathers all are drunks
Golly Moses, naturally we’re punks
Gee, Officer Krupke, we’re very upset;
We never had the love that every child oughta get
We ain’t no delinquents, we’re misunderstood
Deep down inside us there is good!
There is good, there is good, there is untapped good
Like inside, the worse of us is good
Dear kindly Judge, your Honor, my parents treat me rough
They make me go to school, and they get into my stuff
They said it’s for my best, but it only made me mad!
Leapin’ lizards -- that’s what I’m so bad!
Right! Officer Krupke, you’re really a square;
This boy don’t need a judge, he needs a therapist’s care!
It’s just his neurosis that oughta be curbed
He’s psychologically disturbed
We’re disturbed, we’re disturbed, we’re the most disturbed
Like we’re psychologically disturbed.
My daddy hates my mommy, my mommy’s mad at me,
My grandpa is a commie my grandma’s KGB,
My sister’s alway anxious, my brother is depressed;
Goodness gracious, that’s why I’m a mess!
Yes! Officer Krupke, he shouldn’t be here
This boy don’t need a couch, he needs a useful career
Society’s played him a terrible trick,
And sociologically he’s sick!
We are sick, we are sick, we are sick sick sick
Like we’re sociologically sick!
Dear kindly social worker, they tell me get a job
Like be a grocery bagger, which means I’d be a slob!
It’s not I’m anti-social, I’m only anti-work;
Glory-osky, that’s why I’m a jerk!
Eek! Officer Krupke, you’ve done it again;
This boy don’t need a job, he needs a year in the pen!
It ain’t just a question of misunderstood;
Deep down inside him, he’s no good!
We’re no good, we’re no good, we’re no earthly good
Like the best of us is no darn good!
The trouble is he’s lazy
The trouble is he thinks
The trouble is he’s crazy
The trouble is he stinks
The trouble is he’s growing
The trouble is he’s grown!
Krupke, we got troubles of our own!
Gee, Officer Krupke please take him away!
Cause no one wants an anti-social punk in their way!
Gee, Officer Krupke, what are we to do?
Gee, Officer Krupke -- Krup you!
2. Premonitions
2. Premonitions
Jets leader Riff tries to persuade his best friend Tony to join him in fighting the rival Sharks, but Tony has a strange premonition that something very different is about to come into his life.
Could it be? Yes it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming, I don't know what it is,
But it is gonna be great!
"Something's Coming"
"Something's Coming"
Soloist: Marco Lordge
Could be!... Who knows?...
There's something due any day; I will know right away, Soon as it shows.
It may come cannon-balling down thru the sky, Gleam in its eye, Bright as a rose!
Could be!... Who knows?...
It's only just out of reach, Down the block, on a beach, Under a tree...
I got a feeling there's a miracle due, Gonna come true, Coming to me!
Could it be? Yes it could. Something's coming, something good, If I can wait!
Something's coming, I don't know what it is, But it is Gonna be great!
With a click, with a shock, Phone'll jingle, door'll knock, Open the latch!
Something's coming, don't know when but it's soon-Catch the moon, one-handed catch!
Around the corner, Or whistling down the river, Come on-deliver To me!
Will it be? Yes, it will. Maybe just by holding still, It'll be there!
Come on something, come on in, don't be shy, Meet a guy, Pull up a chair!
The air is humming, And something great is coming! Who knows?
It's only just out of reach, Down the block, on a beach... Maybe tonight...
3. The Debutante
3. The Debutante
Maria, a Puerto Rican girl, argues with her older friend Anita about the dress she is to wear to her first dance this evening. She is soon joined by her brother Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks, who tells his next-in-command Chino to keep a close eye on her in case the Jets cause trouble.
MARIA: Nardo, it is most important that I have a wonderful time at the dance tonight, because tonight is the real beginning of my life as a young lady of America!
4. Dance at the Gymnasium
4. Dance at the Gymnasium
In the midst of the noise and excitement of the dance, Tony and Maria find each other and rapidly fall in love. Noticing a Caucasian's interest in his sister, Bernardo angrily intervenes and sends Maria home. Tony wanders into the night singing her praises.
The most beautiful sound I ever heard: Maria!
All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word: Maria!
"Maria"
"Maria"
Soloist: Marco Lordge
The most beautiful sound I ever heard:
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria!
All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word:
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria!
Maria! I've just met a girl named Maria,
And suddenly that name will never be the same to me.
Maria! I've just kissed a girl named Maria,
And suddenly I've found how wonderful a sound can be!
Maria! Say it loud and there's music playing,
Say it soft and it's almost like praying.
Maria, I'll never stop saying Maria.
The most beautiful sound I ever heard: Maria!
5. Dreams of America
5. Dreams of America
After sending Maria off to bed, Bernardo laments the racism and danger that the Puerto Ricans have experienced in America. Anita, however, praises the freedom and prosperity that their new nation offers them.
I like to be in America!
OK by me in America!
Everything free in America . . .
For a small fee in America!
"America"
"America"
Soloists: Zariah Pinto, Katerina Jimenez, Nathaniel Rodda
Puerto Rico... You lovely island...
Island of tropical breezes.
Always the pineapples growing,
Always the coffee blossoms blowing...
Puerto Rico... You ugly island...
Island of tropic diseases.
Always the hurricanes blowing,
Always the population growing...
And the money owing,
And the babies crying,
And the bullets flying.
I like the island Manhattan –
Smoke on your pipe and put that in!
I like to be in America!
OK by me in America!
Everything free in America
For a small fee in America!
I like the city of San Juan –
I know a boat you can get on!
Hundreds of flowers in full bloom –
Hundreds of people in each room!
Automobile in America,
Chromium steel in America,
Wire-spoke wheel in America--
Very big deal in America–
I think I’ll go back to San Juan
When will you shut up and get gone?
Everyone there will give big cheer!
Everyone there will have moved here.
I like to be in America!
OK by me in America!
Everything free in America
For a small fee in America!
6. Love in the Boutique
6. Love in the Boutique
In the dress shop where they work, the other ladies can't help but notice that Maria is unusually distracted and dreamy today. Little do they know that the object of her affection is not her betrothed Chino, but Tony.
I feel stunning and entrancing
Feel like running and dancing for joy
For I'm loved by a pretty wonderful boy!
"I Feel Pretty"
"I Feel Pretty"
Soloist: Sabrina Dailey
I feel pretty; oh, so pretty
I feel pretty and witty and gay
And I pity any girl who isn't me today
I feel charming; oh, so charming
It's alarming how charming I feel
And so pretty that I hardly can believe I'm real
See the pretty girl in that mirror there
Who can that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face, such a pretty dress
Such a pretty smile, such a pretty me
I feel stunning and entrancing
Feel like running and dancing for joy
For I'm loved by a pretty wonderful boy!
7. The Vow
7. The Vow
After the other ladies have left, Tony sneaks into the dress shop to visit Maria. They pantomime getting married, and then agree to meet the next evening again.
Now it begins, now we start
One hand, one heart--
Even death won't part us now.
"One Hand, One Heart"
"One Hand, One Heart"
Soloists: Sabrina Dailey & Marco Lordge
Make of our hands one hand,
Make of our hearts one heart,
Make of our vows one last vow:
Only death will part us now.
Make of our lives one life,
Day after day, one life.
Now it begins, now we start
One hand, one heart-
Even death won't part us now.
8. A Night of Consequence
8. A Night of Consequence
The leaders of the Sharks and Jets meet up to plan a rumble to settle their territory disputes once and for all. The plan is to meet that evening; the best man from each gang will slug it out. Meanwhile, Maria and Tony pine away the daytime hours until they meet again, and Anita worries about the effects of the dangerous rumble between the two gangs.
Today, the minutes seem like hours,
The hours go so slowly, and still the sky is light . . .
Oh moon, grow bright, and make this endless day endless night!
Tonight!
"Tonight"
"Tonight"
Soloist: Sabrina Dailey & Marco Lordge
Tonight, tonight, Won't be just any night,
Tonight there will be no morning star.
Tonight, tonight, I'll see my love tonight.
And for us, stars will stop where they are.
Today, The minutes seem like hours,
The hours go so slowly, And still the sky is light . . .
Oh moon, grow bright, And make this endless day endless night!
Tonight!
9. The Rumble
9. The Rumble
The two gangs meet and Bernardo and Riff begin to fight. Tony suddenly bursts in and tries to stop them. As the fight intensifies, knives are drawn and Riff is stabbed. In anguished retaliation, Tony stabs Bernardo. The gangs scatter as police sirens wail in the night.
Boy, boy, crazy boy – Stay loose, boy!
Breeze it, buzz it, easy does it – Turn off the juice, boy!
Go man, go, but not like a yo-yo school boy –
Just play it cool, boy. Real cool!
"Cool"
"Cool"
Boy, boy, crazy boy – Get cool, boy!
Got a rocket in your pocket – Keep coolly cool, boy!
Don't get hot, 'Cause, man, you got some high times ahead.
Take it slow and, daddy-o, you can live it up and die in bed!
Boy, boy, crazy boy – Stay loose, boy!
Breeze it, buzz it, easy does it – Turn off the juice, boy!
Go man, go, but not like a yo-yo school boy –
Just play it cool, boy. Real cool!
10. A Place for Us
10. A Place for Us
Returning to Maria, Tony makes plans for the couple to run away from the hate and violence all around them. Before they can leave, Chino sneaks in and stabs Tony in the back. Shocked by all of the death their rivalry has caused, the Sharks and Jets are chastened by Maria's condemnations and work together to bear Tony away.
There's a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we're halfway there.
Hold my hand and I'll take you there
Somehow, Some day, Somewhere!
"Somewhere"
"Somewhere"
Soloists: Sabrina Dailey & Marco Lordge
There's a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us.
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us Somewhere.
There's a time for us,
Someday a time for us,
Time together with time to spare,
Time to look, time to care,
Some day! Somewhere.
We'll find a new way of living,
We'll find a way of forgiving;
Somewhere
There's a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we're halfway there.
Hold my hand and I'll take you there
Somehow, Some day, Somewhere!
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