Dutch Apple's 'West Side Story' Delivers Love, Tragedy, and Heartfelt Emotion

I have fond memories of playing percussion in the pit of West Side Story during my junior year of high school. I remember as if it were yesterday the feel of the claves in my hands as I started the song "America" and the ring of the chimes as I struck them following "The Rumble." As I sat in Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, watching their production of West Side Story, I couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic as every song and line came back to me.

West Side Story brings a version of Romeo and Juliet to the West Side of New York City, where the Jets, an American street gang led by Riff, are trying to defend their home territory from the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. Riff's best friend Tony falls in love with Bernardo's sister, Maria, and tries to make peace between the two gangs. The result is a delicate balance between tragedy and love, where either could end up winning.

Dutch Apple's West Side Story is an energetic production that is as enjoyable as it is emotional. It alternates between upbeat moments and tender moments, with a few powerful, dark moments that create an intense environment. The quick and seamless transitions from a lighthearted scene where the characters seem like traditional high school students having innocent fun to a darker scene where these same characters draw knives and guns makes the intense moments that much more intense.

The characters are just as opposing as the story itself, with the pure Maria, played by Alexis Semevolos, contrasting with a vibrant Anita, played by Zoe Raphael, and trustworthy Tony, played by Carver Duncan, contrasting with an always-up-for-the-challenge Bernardo, played by Chris Kane.

The entire cast demonstrates consistent vocal and acting talent, especially Raphael who dominates her role and at moments steals the show. But what really stands out in this production is the dancing. With high energy music numbers such as "America," West Side Story is a show that demands considerable dancing talent on top of the usual vocal and acting talent required of other less energetic musicals, and these performers don't disappoint. From the jazzy "Dance at the Gym" to the dreamy "Somewhere," the dancing is both dynamic and heartfelt.

Featuring a talented cast that sing and dance their hearts out, West Side Story at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre promises to be an enjoyable time. Oh, and the asparagus/ricotta ravioli at the buffet was one of the best things I've ever had to eat at Dutch Apple (aside from the desserts, of course!).

West Side Story plays at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre through September 19. For details and tickets, please visit www.dutchapple.com.

Dutch Apple Will Present 'West Side Story'

It’s 1957, and summer is ending in the West Side of New York City. A dance at a local gym brings Tony and Maria together, and it's love at first sight! However, their love is threatened by a strong rivalry between two gangs: the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, and the Jets, made up of ‘American’ boys. Maria is the sister to the leader of the Sharks, and Tony is an ex-member and the best friend of the leader of the Jets. Preparations are being made for one big rumble to settle the rivalry once and for all. Can Tony and Maria bridge the gap between the gangs and bring peace to their love before it’s too late? West Side Story is a modern take on the classic love story of Romeo and Juliet, and you can catch it at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre August 6 – September 19.

Fresh out of the roles of Dream Curly and Cord Elam in Dutch Apple's Oklahoma, Carver Duncan is hitting the stage as Tony, which he refers to as one of his dream roles (thanks to his parents who introduced him to the show when he was eight). Duncan also played Caleb in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, both at Dutch Apple and on the national tour. Maria will be played by Alexis Semevolos, who is reprising this role from a run at Dutch Apple’s sister theatre, Broadway Palm in Florida. Semevolos’ Off-Broadway credits include The Love Note, and regional credits include La Dispute and Macbeth at Hartford Stage, A Proper Place at Goodspeed Opera House, and Blood and Fire at Tru Voices.

Bernardo, leader of the Sharks and Maria’s brother, will be played by Dutch Apple alum, Chris Kane. Kane just performed in Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of Victor/Victoria and was seen at Dutch Apple last season as the heartthrob Link Larkin in Hairspary. He is also a three-time professional ballroom dance regional champion. Bernardo’s girl, Anita, will be played by Zoe Raphael, who is also reprising this role from the Broadway Palm production. Raphael’s favorite credits include the reading of A Proper Place for Goodspeed Opera House, Les Miserables at North Shore Music Theatre, Footloose at Maine State Music, and singing with the Boston Pops.

Dutch Apple’s production of West Side Story will be directed by Dean Sobon, who just finished directing Oklahoma! and also directed the national tours of Fiddler on the Roof and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He has a history with this show, performing in an international tour and two national tours. Sobon has worked for the Dutch Apple for 11 years now and is also an acting teacher for their Broadway Bound summer camps.

Samantha Hewes Cramer will be choreographing the production. She has worked with Dutch Apple since she was young, appearing on stage in Gypsy at the age of nine. Cramer is now excited to be on the other side of the stage with her work most recently being seen on the national tour of Memphis, The Musical as the Assistant to the Director, and she recently choreographed Crazy For You at Dutch Apple.

The score, by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, features songs such as "Tonight," "I Feel Pretty," "Maria," "(I Want to Be in) America," "Somewhere" and "One Hand, One Heart."

West Side Story will be at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre August 6 through September 19, 2015. Ticket prices range from $49 to $56 for meal and show with a special rate for groups of 16 or more. A limited number of show-only seats are available for $34. Call 717-898-1900 to make a reservation or order your tickets online at DutchApple.com.