Romeo and Juliet Reloaded
Montclair, NJ- West Side Story continues to change the perspective of the traditional love story. On the west side of New York City, the Jets and the Sharks are an Italian and Puerto Rican gangs who hate and battle each other over territory in the neighborhood. The modern Romeo and Juliet story ultimately connects with two lovers who struggle to love who they choose despite major tension and backlash from their feuding families.
From the beginning of the two-hour play, we are introduced to a fight between the American gang, the Jets, and rival gang the Sharks, who have recently moved into the Jets’ territory from Puerto Rico. At this time we are also introduced to one lead Jet, Action. Action, played by sophomore musical theater major, Jeremy Lipton, has no problem being combative and threatening. Throughout the play, we see Action being the main aggressor and in numerous disputes against the Sharks.
Lipton, a previous member of The Broadway National Tour, is no new face to acting. Lipton’s first show was at seven years old, and from that moment on; he knew musical theater was his passion. “I loved theater from such a young age, but this has been my most challenging role yet,” said Lipton.
An average day for Lipton while rehearsing for the role of Action was hectic. “I would have class in the morning, get food at the student center, and then head to Life Hall for rehearsal,” he said. On top of four-hour rehearsals on weekdays and six-hour rehearsals on weekends, actors also had to attend mandatory tech rehearsals, which took place one week before the shows premiere, that lasted 12 hours.
While time management was challenging yet manageable, Lipton says putting himself in a darker place was the ultimate challenge. Often time’s actors have to put themselves in different mind frames to obtain complete control of their character, Lipton’s situation was no different. “Personally I didn’t really relate to Action, I’m a nice guy and always have been. Action on the other hand is very unpleasant and aggressive, so removing my personal self from Action was the only way I was able to succeed; ultimately playing Action helped developed me as an actor ” said Lipton.
All of Lipton’s (and entire the cast of West Side Story) hard work really paid off once he (and the cast of West Side Story) was notified that all six show dates were sold out including the dress rehearsal. “It feels great to know that all of the work we put in was going to be appreciated,” said Lipton. All six shows being sold out was also great news for production manager, Peter Davis. “There’s a lot of behind the scenes work that the audience doesn’t know, such as it takes one year in advance to plan, so sold out dates are awesome to hear” said Davis.
While the plays ends in a dramatic fatality (spoiler alert), Lipton hopes the audience left Alexander Kasser Theater with an important message. “Don’t do what others want you do, do whatever makes you happy,” he said. Like previously noted, all show dates have ended, however “all of the choreography was the same as the original West Side Story,” said Davis. If you missed West Side Story, Kasser Theater will host additional future shows such as Michigan Murder, Company, and Punk Rock, which will be based on the infamous Columbine shooting.
