Avon Old Farms Presents West Side Story

Avon Old Farms School will open West Side Story, a musical based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, to the public on Feb. 26, free of charge.

The premier of the show is on Feb. 25 for Avon Old Farms students, and the show closes on Feb. 27 with another private showing.

After bouncing around a few ideas for this winter’s musical, Bryan Zaros, director of choral activities, suggested West Side Story to Gayle Robinson, theater director, and she agreed.

“It is always a good thing to let young people play young people,” Robinson said.

According to Robinson, most high schools avoid West Side Story because it’s an “incredibly challenging piece” with intricate dance numbers and demanding vocals.  Triple threats—talented actors, singers and dancers—are required for this production. Fortunately, Robinson is well equipped with 33 “incredibly talented” actors. 

Students from Miss Porter’s School in Farmington will perform the female roles. 

“Those girls are absolutely amazing … and so professional,” Robinson said.

Auditions were held in the middle of November and rehearsals started after Thanksgiving break. 

“For this particular show, it was really difficult [to cast the roles.] … We’re getting more people auditioning that are really … good, so it makes it tough to make the final call,” Robinson said. 

Shortly after beginning rehearsals, the cast traveled to New York to see West Side Story on Broadway.

“I think a lot of them were shocked because [the stage production] was so different from the movie. … I’m really glad they were able to see that, because I’m often telling them theater is not cinema,” Robinson said. “We can’t act the same way that we would in a movie. … You can’t do a Johnny Depp on the stage of a high school show, because it’s not going to read to the person in the last row.” 

While watching the show, one student expressed concern because he couldn’t dance. Robinson assured him that Rebekah Wilcox, the dance director, would teach him. She turned out to be correct.

“In terms of dancing, I would say 80 to 90 percent of the students had not danced before this,” Robinson said. "If we could have a blooper reel and show the first day of dance rehearsal and then show the finished product, it’s a miracle what Rebekah has been able to do with these students over that time."

In order to get additional cast members, Robinson went to the weight room and grabbed a few boys, “literally by their shirts.” They were reluctant to participate at first, but now she “think[s] they caught the fever.”

‘These kids have fallen in love with everything about the show and learning as much as they can and trying to be the best they can be on stage. I’m really proud of them,” Robinson said.

Avon Old Farms School produces three plays per year, including the winter musical.