Milwaukee Rock Theatre's production of "West Side Story" reflects the state of the theatre it takes place in — unrefined.
The Turner Ballroom, on the second floor of the historic Turner Restaurant, is being refurbished after a series of fires that closed the ballroom from 1933 until 2000. Unfortunately, the production of West Side Story that opened there Nov. 11 also seems a bit unfinished.
The harsh opening chord of the electric guitar foreshadows the disorderly opening fight scene. The rock band, set at the back of the stage, overwhelms the shouts and fighting of the Jets and the Sharks, and it doesn't get much better from there.
Many of the most well-known songs from the show, including "America" and "I Feel Pretty," are almost impossible to hear over the blaring guitars, drums and keyboards. The sound quality from the microphones doesn't help either.
Emily Heitzer (Maria) has a beautiful, classically trained voice and plays her character with the required innocence, romance and emotion. Unfortunately, not all voices are meant for rock music, and her songs sound too operatic against the harsh rock music of the band.
Although the unfinished ballroom adds some old-fashioned character to the set, the setup is not conducive to seeing the entire show. Some scenes take place on the center floor of the ballroom, at the same level as the seats, making it difficult to see some important scenes.
The show does have a few redeeming moments, though most of them come in the second act.
Heitzer's love interest, Brandon Wright (Tony), is more suited to the show's rock style. His songs, including "Something's Coming," "Maria" and "Tonight," not only reflect the rock music being played, they also keep tempo with the band — something the chorus seems to have difficulty doing.
After the piece's well-known rumble, Wright goes to find Heitzer and explain what happened. While Wright and Heitzer lay together, silently mourning the deaths of family and friends, Katie Hardt (Francisca) walks to the edge of the stage and begins a touching rendition of "Somewhere," accompanied only by an acoustic guitar.
Dancers Brandon Bynum and Michaele Norton perform a flawless, fluid pas de deux, commenting on the desire for racial equality through dance.
As the song progresses in intensity, the Jets and Sharks join together behind the dancers and Nicolo Onorato (Bernardo) and Shayne Steliga (Riff) watch from the balcony dressed in white. The full band begins to play, its force and volume appropriate for what comes next. Finally, Nate Press (Chino) storms the stage, wielding a gun, enraged by the murder of his best friend, and the unity of the scene is torn apart.
The final scene underscores the brilliant acting of Heitzer. Her emotional monologue about hate and violence, about how many people one gun can kill, is as relevant today as it was in the 1950s.
Though the first act is a struggle, the final three scenes of the show make it worthwhile.
Grade: BC
Milwaukee Rock Theatre Company's "West Side Story" plays at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Turner Ballroom, 1034 N. Fourth St. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students. More information is available by calling 774-7842 or at www.rocktheatre.org.