"WEST SIDE STORY"
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

SPRING MUSICAL 2009

• Director: Barbara Ridenour
• Music Director: Rick Murphy
• Choreographers: Kim Alexander, Alicia Cross Engelhardt
• Costume Design: Mary Stasheff
• Performances: Thursday, April 2-Saturday, April 4, North Attic Playhouse, all shows sold out

UNI'S SPRING MUSICAL, "West Side Story," is all about the romance between Tony and Maria.

Sure, there are gangs and girls and policemen and fights, but when it comes down to it, the whole show is all about some drugstore hired hand and some gangster's sister who get together when no one's looking.

And, in fact, everything else in the production kind of pales in comparison to that.

Because that Caucasian hired hand, co-founder of the Jets, and that Puerto Rican sister, whose brother leads the rival Sharks, have a love for each other more powerful than any social taboo, and the gang violence that marks the play revolves around their relationship — everyone who dies, dies for them.

Because that drugstore worker is forced to listen to the worst news anyone could hear when he is told of his beloved's death.

And because that sister is pushed farther than any person can endure.

This modern-day "Romeo and Juliet" hit the North Attic Playhouse stage Thursday night in the first of four sold-out performances. Audiences have been mesmerized by the bravura performances of actors and musicians alike.

At the center of it all have been Tony and Maria: seniors Daniel Borup and Sheri Grill. Here's a look at Uni's "West Side" Romeo.

Becoming Tony

"Tonight, tonight/ Won't just be any night": Daniel Borup as the lovestruck Tony. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

Though he's playing the male lead in the Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim classic, Borup has actually been in only one other Uni production, 2007's "Anything Goes."

This is because he's not a thespian, but a musician. A talented violinist and violist, he also sings for Uni Chorus and Madrigals, earning All-State Musician honors twice.

Though now involved in vocal music, Borup says he'd never really been in a choir before starting at Uni.

A strong background in music, though, made the transition easy, and he joined Chorus subbie year, Madrigals freshman year, and Orchestra as a junior.

"I'd done some singing and stuff at church before I came to Uni," he said. "But it was really the first time I'd sung with a large ensemble, and working with Madrigals has really helped me a lot, along with the All-State Music Festivals."

When Daniel auditioned for "West Side Story," he was unsure of the part he'd get, knowing he had a strong voice but not much experience in acting.

"I wasn't really surprised to get the part of Tony, but I wasn't really expecting it," he said. "I just went in to see what I ended up with. I would have been happy with any part … but I really like playing [Tony.]"

Triple Threat

Jet gang members Riff (junior Zack Goldberg, left) and Diesel (freshman Will Erickson) hold back Tony during a showdown with the rival Sharks. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

There's a lot to learn in order to star a musical. Singing, dancing, acting.

And though a more-than-competent singer, Borup had never had much experience with the other two before embarking on "West Side Story."

As Tony, a big part of his role is falling in love on stage.

"It's hard, coming up with that much emotion out of nowhere," he commented. "Of course, nothing I've been through is anywhere near as dramatic as what Tony and Maria are going through."

As recommended by director Barbara Ridenour, Borup has used a technique called "substitution" to more effectively portray those emotions.

"Basically I draw on things that have happened in my life, and I change those to whatever I'm supposed to be feeling," he said. "It helps."

Dancing, too, is not something that came especially easily to Borup. "West Side" is full of complicated choreography, especially in the opening scenes.

"Fortunately, though, Tony doesn't actually have to dance a lot," he said modestly. "I don't think I'm very good."

Fellow actor Stefanie Senior, who plays the tomboy Anybodys, disagreed.

"He's a fine dancer," she said a few weeks before opening night. "He just needs a little more practice."

Music is a lot easier for Borup.

"I'm more familiar with classical singing, the kind of things we do in Chorus, rather than musical theater," he noted. "But learning the music has been less of a challenge than it is fun. The whole thing is fun."

The greatest fun for any performer, of course, comes when all the hard work of rehearsing pays off in front of an audience.

"It's been hard to try and fit everything into the day," Borup said while rehearsals were still in full swing, "but it's been going pretty well. And the show should be really good."

No doubt the hundreds of fans who packed the North Attic for four memorable performances would say in reply: Mission accomplished.

Tony pays a visit to the bridal shop where Maria works. Gargoyle photos by David Porreca (click any photo to enlarge and to create your own slideshow)

Tony and Maria (senior Sheri Grill) imagine their wedding-to-be.

Tony tries to talk reason with Bernardo (senior Teddy Zamora-Mills), leader of the Sharks.

"WEST SIDE STORY" CAST, Orchestra, and Crew MEMBERS

The Jets

• Tony: Daniel Borup (sr)
• Riff: Zack Goldberg (jr)
• Action: Jared Doyle (jr)
• Diesel: Will Erickson (fr)
• A-Rab: Ben Zehr (so)
• Baby John: Charlie Newman-Johnson (so)
• Snowboy: Johnny Shapley (fr)

Their Girls

• Velma: Brittany Scheid (jr)
• Graziella: Anna Gooler (jr)
• Anybodys: Stefanie Senior (so)
• Minnie: Erin Berl (su)
• Clarice: Sierra Marcum (sr)
• Pauline: Vivian Robison (jr)
• Jet Girls: Brianna Hajek (su), Ella Lubienski (su), Juliana Trach (su)

The Sharks

• Bernardo: Miguel Zamora-Mills (sr)
• Chino: Aramael Pena-Alcantera (fr)
• Pepe: Rodney LeNoir (fr)
• Luis: Stirling Lemme (su)
• Toro: Jack Gillette (su)
• Shark Members: Kaila Simpson (su), Alex Valdez (su)

Their Girls

• Maria: Sheri Grill (sr)
• Anita: Sarah Lake-Rayburn (sr)
• Rosalia: Karen Han (sr)
• Consuela: Lauren Piester (sr)
• Teresita: Kahlilah Cooke (so)
• Francisca: Martha Yoshida (so)
• Margarita: Maia Gersten (fr)
• Shark Girls: Melissa Rosas (su), Kaila Simpson (su), Alex Valdez (su)

The Adults

• Officer Krupke: Steve Rayburn (English teacher)
• Doc: Rob Diehl (sr)
• Lt. Schrank: Jeremy Kemball (sr)
• Glad Hand: Hannah Leskosky (sr)

Orchestra

• Percussion: Adam Joseph (so), Chris Mathy (so)
• Clarinet: Jacob Druker (sr), Katherine Floess (so), Leif Hague (su)
• Saxophone: Clement Dossin (sr)
• Tuba: Hannah Johlas (fr)
• Bass: Carl Pearson (sr)
• Violin: Chelsea Edwards (su), Annie Rong (fr), Joey Smith (fr), Chae Won Park (su)
• Trombone: Aaron Wilson (su), Lisa Sproat (so)
• Trumpet: Robbie McMillen (fr), Ian Slauch (so)
• Flute: Francois Dossin (fr), Marie Lilly (fr)
• Cello: Petra Rantanen (su)

Production Staff

• Directing Assistance: Steve Rayburn
• Stage Manager: Tianna Pittenger
• Lighting Design & Board Operator: Natsuki Nakamura
• Sound: Natsuki Nakamura
• Set Design: Sierra Marcum
• Poster: Margarita Mouschovias
• Program: Lauren Piester
• T-Shirt Design: Lauren Piester