SouthFlorida.com | Teen Link South Florida

With stunning sets, riveting performances, and an overwhelming roller coaster of emotions, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Art's production of West Side Story was nothing short of incredible. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Steven Sondheim, these talented players successfully managed to breathe life into this American classic, based on the book by Arthur Laurents.

Loosely adapted from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story captures the essence of Manhattan's upper West Side while exploring the ongoing rivalry between two gangs that exemplify cultural diversity, the Jets and the Sharks. The youthful heroine Tony, a member of the Jets, falls in love with the beautiful Maria who is the sister of the Puerto Rican gang's leader. As the plot thickens, the intensity surges to produce a production filled to the brim with rousing battles, passionate love sequences, and harmonious voices.

Daniel Kopystanski proves himself to be an accomplished actor in the demanding role of Tony, the leader of the pack. His strong presence dominates the stage and his vocal commitment to this complex score is unwavering. Maria, played by the talented Tessa Assari, gives a wonderful performance on every level. She manages to capture the hearts and minds of the audience members every time she enters the stage.

The production is aided by a variety of talented supporting actors who helped shape the production in many ways. Douglas Widick, as Officer Krupke, portrayed his role with an overwhelming amount of energy and vigor and his comedic timing was spot on. Marina Pires shown in the role of Anita and her vocal range and tremendous acting talent was consistent throughout.

From a technical standpoint, the show ran smoothly and each and every student should be applauded on their beautiful concept and set design. Although there were some minor sound glitches, the actors managed to compensate due to their strong sense of focus. Also, at times, it seemed as if awkward staging and complex movement overshadowed the actor's individual talents.

Though overcome with bittersweet revelations at the end of the show, West Side Story provided an excellent showcase for High School talent on a variety of levels. The professional quality and creative interpretation of a traditional piece demonstrated that Dreyfoos School of the Arts certainly does set the bar for high school theatre.