Elizabeth Moir cast get set for ‘West Side Story’
When it came to staging a musical, West Side Story seemed the perfect choice for Elizabeth Moir International. The story written by Arthur Laurents felt to so relevant in recent times, coupled with the incredible musical numbers from Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.
This week the Mirror Magazine spoke to director Anushka Senanayake, musical director Sureka Amerasinghe and choreographer Melissa Fisher, who gave us an insight into the production that will go on the boards of the Lionel Wendt Theatre on November 8 and 9.
The story depicts the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, with the central storyline inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. With the goal of presenting an honest portrayal of it, Anushka tells us their focus has simply been to understand what’s happening in that world while also trying to “communicate that world and these people and what they’re struggling with.”
As Anushka explains, the musical deals with heavy social issues such as racism, gang violence and other various issues that immigrants and young people face. “Some topics are very sensitive, so it’s been a really rewarding experience to work with the students to talk about these things very openly and how they feel about it,” she says.
The real challenge for the students, however, was to look at it through the lenses of their characters, as some of the characters have a more set point of view. Anushka hopes the experience gives them an understanding of how these problems can come up, and how often it is rooted in fear and misunderstanding. But as she puts it, she is constantly surprised by the level of intellectual and investigative questions they have.
“It’s been incredible to watch how quickly the students have been able to take the material and run with it. I’m in awe of them all over again!”.
Rehearsals for the show only commenced in September just as the term started, which was a daunting time limit for a November show. But despite having just eight weeks to put on the intensive two hour Broadway show, they make the maximum of their allotted hours.
“This is one of those classics, it’s such a brilliant opportunity for the students to learn this music and this kind of dancing,” Anushka tells us.
Since the show is known for its energetic moves, Melissa tells us you have to be inspired by what you’re choreographing. As West Side Story is one of the things that inspired her to dance, she hopes to bring out that passion and potential in the students.
The musical incorporates many genres of dance, such as Mambo, Flamenco, and Broadway jazz — which have a different set of movements to traditional Sri Lankan dance styles, which most students have ingrained into them culturally, whether they’ve learned dance or not. It’s a process of learning a whole new set of movements, Melissa explains.
Anushka Senanayake
Melissa Ann Fisher
Sureka Amerasinghe Pix above courtesy Elizabeth Moir School
Despite the limited time and rehearsal space, she adds that it was a “growing experience” for both her and the students. “The dancing is very high impact and high energy, and these kids are stepping up to it!”
In terms of the music, Sureka finds it a dream come true to work with the kids as their musical director and see everyone’s talents come out and embedded in the complexity of the music. She explains the music embodies the spirit of New York and brings out different complex elements of jazz and the Latin American music rhythms.”
Sureka loves including live music in all the musicals which the school has staged. With this production, she feels they have the right people for every role. “Serika and Leeth are both new to the school and they are both playing the lead roles. They fit perfectly because their voices are exactly right for the ranges and it’s amazing how that happened,” she says.
As Sureka puts it, the music is current, its grand and something that everyone can enjoy and relate to. This production will also feature a live orchestra comprising several students, who will play alongside the full band.
Apart from the relevance and immediacy of this story, the audience can also expect a lot of energy, and an engaging, gripping night at the theatre.
“This production is a story that needs to be told, these are characters that people need to see, and these are themes that need to be explored,” Anushka adds.
West Side story will be staged at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on November 8 and 9 at 7.30pm. Tickets will be priced from Rs 2000, Rs 1,500 and Rs 1000, and are available at the senior school reception.
Pics by Priyantha Wickramarachchi