Allsun O’Malley as Maria and Jordan Andre as Tony. (Photo Provided)

“West Side Story” is on stage at the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, Warsaw, through June 27. Set in the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City in the mid-1950s, the show is powerful. It involves the Jets, a Caucasian gang, and the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang.

Tony (Jordan Andre) is a former member of the Jets and the best friend of gang leader Riff (Sean Watkinson). He falls in love with Maria (Allisun O’Malley), sister of Bernardo (Danny Burgos), leader of the Sharks. Their love comes at a time when the two teen-age gangs are fighting for control of the neighborhood and it’s not approved by either side.

It’s a show that contains heighten emotions, often done through song and dance. Tony works at Doc’s Drugstore. Maria works in a bridal shop with Anita (Monica Brown), Bernardo’s girlfriend. Maria has just arrived in the USA from Puerto Rico and is set to marry Chino (Angel Lozano), a friend of Bernardo’s in an arranged marriage. But she doesn’t love him: She’s confused.

At a school dance, Tony and Maria meet, dance, kiss and make Bernardo unhappy. Much of West Side Story is about the gangs and the two young lovers who are forced to meet in secret and make plans to marry and run away.

Andre and O’Malley are fabulous as the young lovers. Their voices blend and their dance steps flawless. Burgos and Brown also show their talent as a Puerto Rican couple. Likewise, Watkinson is great as the Jets leader.

While the gangs are trying to gain control, Lt. Schrank (Scott Fluss) and Officer Krupke (Andy Robinson) try to put a stop to their actions. This duo adds a little laughter to an otherwise serious production.

They decide to meet. Tony convinces them to have a fair fight and use fists, not weapons. He then promises Maria that he will stop fight and sets off to do that. The gangs don’t go for that idea. They want to fight. The fight begins, and soon knives are brought out and Bernardo kills Riff. Tony is enraged and kills Bernardo. The gangs scatter.

The musical is very fast paced after that, as Chino goes after Tony, Maria and Anita are sad over the loss of Bernardo but Maria is still in love with Tony and still wants to run away with him. Doc is upset over Tony’s involvement. The audience is kept in suspense as to what will happen next until the final scene.

Others in the Jets are Action (Keaton Eckhoff), A-Rab (Alex Dorf), Big Deal (Asher Dubin), Baby John (Tom Sweeney). Their girls are Graziella (Elaine Cotte), Velma (Audrey Kennedy), Minnie (Clara Cox) and Anybodys (Laura Plyler).

Other Sharks are Indio (George O. Vickers V), Nibbles (Jonathan Tilkin), Juano and Pepe (Dylan Troost). Their girls are Rosalita (Clara Cox), Consuelo (Alison Schiller), Teresita  and Margarita (Carina-Kay Louchiey).

The dance moves are outstanding and fast-paced. A tip of the hat to all for super performances.
Mike Yocum does his usual terrific job as Doc and Glad Hand.

“Songs like “Something’s Coming” “Maria,” “America,” “One Hand,One Heart,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “Gee, Office Krumpke ” keep the production moving.

It’s a must-see production. Call (866) 823-2618 or (574) 267-9041 or go online at wagonwheelcenter.org.