Write-Up by: Kaylee Guinigundo
Photos provided by: Victoria Padovan, associate manager of communications/public relations at Dr. Philips Center
(Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando FL) West Side Story turns young love into tragedy, set against a world already breaking apart. Reimagining Romeo and Juliet through the streets of New York, the story carries a timeless weight, reminding audiences how easily fear and hatred can overcome humanity. Seeing that tragedy brought to life by a cast of young performers makes its message hit even harder, making Dr. Phillips’ Florida Musical Theatre Intensive’s remarkable two-week production all the more unforgettable. West Side Story is known to be one of the most demanding musical theatre shows, as it requires extreme commitment and understanding in all aspects of storytelling. What made Dr. Phillips’ Florida Musical Theatre Intensive production even more impressive (alongside the fact that it was put on by a cast of high school students) was that this entire show was workshopped, rehearsed, and performed in just two weeks.
From the opening number, the cast showed a level of commitment and precision that far exceeded the timeframe they had to prepare. Although many theatrical summer productions are brought to life in two weeks, this young cast’s dedication blew away the audience with every scene, making it incomprehensible as to how this was done in such little time.
As West Side Story is praised for its seamless blend of Latin and American style dance, Brittany Monachino and Kimberly Ball fully understood how to bring that tribute to cultures alive. The choreography was a standout element of the production, and served as an additional physical element in this retelling. Every member of the ensemble possessed their own flair when dancing, all while still moving as a cohesive unit with intentional choreography. There is no doubt that each dancer was enjoying by themself while still focusing on the precision of the dance moves, which made the show even more enjoyable to watch. Although the Jets and the Sharks had different dance styles, the cast did a fantastic job fully committing to the authenticity of the dance, which made the performance feel more connective as an audience member.
One of the production’s most memorable moments came during the dream ballet sequence, where ballet was used to portray a vision of unity—a world free from prejudice and inequality. The decision to stage the number “Somewhere” through ballet was both visually stunning and deeply symbolic, allowing the show’s message of hope to transcend dialogue. The Jets and the Sharks were all dancing in unison, with the same style and movement, free of divide. Having the actors for Tony and Maria watch over their people in this ideal world was a strong message that resonates with many in today’s current society. The use of ballet showcased some exceptionally strong dancers whose technique elevated an already beautiful concept into one of the evening’s emotional highlights.
The direction also revealed thoughtful attention to visual storytelling. Throughout the show, the Jets and Sharks were constantly in motion, their restless blocking emphasizing the tension and violence surrounding them. In contrast, whenever Tony and Maria shared the stage, they were perfectly still. This choice symbolized the peace they found in one another—the calm that existed amidst the chaos and conflict surrounding them. I found myself holding my breath with the stillness of the stage, my attention completely drawn to the love between Tony and Maria. It was a subtle yet powerful piece of staging that enriched the emotional impact of their relationship.
Vocally, the cast was exceptional. The score of West Side Story is notoriously difficult as it was created by Stephen Sondheim, yet these young performers rose to the challenge with remarkable consistency. Many songs are laced with vocal and emotional intensity, and the singers tonight floated through them with ease and memorization. Their ability to deliver such vocally confident performances after only two weeks of rehearsal is genuinely astounding.
Specifically in the song “Tonight (Reprise),” the entire cast came together to make this one of the most impactful, divided yet united pieces of the show. The Sharks and the Jets had their own musical composition, while the principal cast had their own to sing as well. The performers really embodied the gravity of the situation, and their strong vocals added to the intensity of the show. Although this song has many different musical elements happening at once, the cast brought out the beautiful harmonies and clear diction despite the different score.
While the young performers all combined their talents to put this show to life, Sarah Valery’s portrayal of Anita was truly one of the gems of this show. She brought a strong flair to the character that commanded the stage every time she entered. Valery’s commitment to Anita brought so many emotions to this production, whether it was through a comedic line delivery or her emotional reaction to the Jets, there is no doubt that Sarah Valery will continue to grow as a strong performer.
Above all, this production was a testament to Dr. Phillips’ commitment to fostering young artists. Watching these young artists perform with the integrity of mature casts was incomprehensible, however, their ability to work as one ensemble and enjoy every second onstage made this one of the most memorable shows to experience. I felt myself rooting for all of the characters because each actor brought such a likeliness to them even in such a short time. The Florida Musical Theatre Intensive does more than teach students how to perform; it cultivates discipline, artistry, collaboration, and confidence. Watching these performers accomplish so much in only two weeks was inspiring, and it serves as a reminder that the future of musical theatre is in incredibly capable hands.
Photos provided by: Victoria Padovan, associate manager of communications/public relations at Dr. Philips Center
(Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando FL) West Side Story turns young love into tragedy, set against a world already breaking apart. Reimagining Romeo and Juliet through the streets of New York, the story carries a timeless weight, reminding audiences how easily fear and hatred can overcome humanity. Seeing that tragedy brought to life by a cast of young performers makes its message hit even harder, making Dr. Phillips’ Florida Musical Theatre Intensive’s remarkable two-week production all the more unforgettable. West Side Story is known to be one of the most demanding musical theatre shows, as it requires extreme commitment and understanding in all aspects of storytelling. What made Dr. Phillips’ Florida Musical Theatre Intensive production even more impressive (alongside the fact that it was put on by a cast of high school students) was that this entire show was workshopped, rehearsed, and performed in just two weeks.
From the opening number, the cast showed a level of commitment and precision that far exceeded the timeframe they had to prepare. Although many theatrical summer productions are brought to life in two weeks, this young cast’s dedication blew away the audience with every scene, making it incomprehensible as to how this was done in such little time.
As West Side Story is praised for its seamless blend of Latin and American style dance, Brittany Monachino and Kimberly Ball fully understood how to bring that tribute to cultures alive. The choreography was a standout element of the production, and served as an additional physical element in this retelling. Every member of the ensemble possessed their own flair when dancing, all while still moving as a cohesive unit with intentional choreography. There is no doubt that each dancer was enjoying by themself while still focusing on the precision of the dance moves, which made the show even more enjoyable to watch. Although the Jets and the Sharks had different dance styles, the cast did a fantastic job fully committing to the authenticity of the dance, which made the performance feel more connective as an audience member.
One of the production’s most memorable moments came during the dream ballet sequence, where ballet was used to portray a vision of unity—a world free from prejudice and inequality. The decision to stage the number “Somewhere” through ballet was both visually stunning and deeply symbolic, allowing the show’s message of hope to transcend dialogue. The Jets and the Sharks were all dancing in unison, with the same style and movement, free of divide. Having the actors for Tony and Maria watch over their people in this ideal world was a strong message that resonates with many in today’s current society. The use of ballet showcased some exceptionally strong dancers whose technique elevated an already beautiful concept into one of the evening’s emotional highlights.
The direction also revealed thoughtful attention to visual storytelling. Throughout the show, the Jets and Sharks were constantly in motion, their restless blocking emphasizing the tension and violence surrounding them. In contrast, whenever Tony and Maria shared the stage, they were perfectly still. This choice symbolized the peace they found in one another—the calm that existed amidst the chaos and conflict surrounding them. I found myself holding my breath with the stillness of the stage, my attention completely drawn to the love between Tony and Maria. It was a subtle yet powerful piece of staging that enriched the emotional impact of their relationship.
Vocally, the cast was exceptional. The score of West Side Story is notoriously difficult as it was created by Stephen Sondheim, yet these young performers rose to the challenge with remarkable consistency. Many songs are laced with vocal and emotional intensity, and the singers tonight floated through them with ease and memorization. Their ability to deliver such vocally confident performances after only two weeks of rehearsal is genuinely astounding.
Specifically in the song “Tonight (Reprise),” the entire cast came together to make this one of the most impactful, divided yet united pieces of the show. The Sharks and the Jets had their own musical composition, while the principal cast had their own to sing as well. The performers really embodied the gravity of the situation, and their strong vocals added to the intensity of the show. Although this song has many different musical elements happening at once, the cast brought out the beautiful harmonies and clear diction despite the different score.
While the young performers all combined their talents to put this show to life, Sarah Valery’s portrayal of Anita was truly one of the gems of this show. She brought a strong flair to the character that commanded the stage every time she entered. Valery’s commitment to Anita brought so many emotions to this production, whether it was through a comedic line delivery or her emotional reaction to the Jets, there is no doubt that Sarah Valery will continue to grow as a strong performer.
Above all, this production was a testament to Dr. Phillips’ commitment to fostering young artists. Watching these young artists perform with the integrity of mature casts was incomprehensible, however, their ability to work as one ensemble and enjoy every second onstage made this one of the most memorable shows to experience. I felt myself rooting for all of the characters because each actor brought such a likeliness to them even in such a short time. The Florida Musical Theatre Intensive does more than teach students how to perform; it cultivates discipline, artistry, collaboration, and confidence. Watching these performers accomplish so much in only two weeks was inspiring, and it serves as a reminder that the future of musical theatre is in incredibly capable hands.
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