The Nocturne Theatre’s West Side Story proves that “professional community theatre” can still hit you in the gut like a Broadway-caliber production. With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this reimagined staging of the 1957 classic was innovation on steroids, making full use of its in-the-round setup, including the aisles. The most striking innovation was its inventive new choreography, which turned the Jets and Sharks’ battles into a gritty, high-energy subway platform showdown, heightening the tension and danger between the rival gangs.
For those unfamiliar, West Side Story is a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, following Tony and Maria—two young lovers caught between warring street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, in 1950s New York. Their romance, doomed from the start, escalates the already simmering violence between the groups, leading to tragic consequences.
At the heart of this production was Jordan Iosua Taylor, utterly charming as Tony, capturing the character’s goofy, infatuated teenage love with natural ease. And let’s be real—his ridiculously built physique gave real credibility to Tony’s past as the Jets’ top fighter. His chemistry with Maria was undeniable, making their “Tonight” duet more affecting than ever—I actually teared up. Alexa Rosengaus brought an angelic presence to the role, with a voice so pure and soaring that when she sang Somewhere—a choice unique to this production—it felt like the entire theatre was holding its breath.
Adding fire to the show was Liana Rose Veratudela, who was voluptuous, confident, and a vocal powerhouse. Every time she stepped on stage, the energy crackled, whether she was leading the sultry America or fiercely defending Maria in the second act. I also loved Samantha Tilley as Anybodys, the girl who desperately wants to join the Jest.
In one of the production’s most clever nods to Romeo and Juliet, the “Mambo” scene at the dance was themed after Shakespeare’s play, with Gladhand (the awkward dance chaperone played by Joe Salling) dressed in a full Will Shakespeare outfit—receding hairline and all—hamming it up to hysterical effect. It was a brilliant touch, reinforcing the source material without feeling forced. You wanna know how busy this cast was? Salling also played Lieutenant Shrank and Diesel (the fighter for the Jets).
Aside from some loud wheels during set changes—the only challenge? The cast was singing with pre-recorded tracks, and at times, the sheer emotional intensity of their performances made them lag just a hair behind. But honestly, given that they were shaping their performances around fixed music rather than a live orchestra, the fact that the storytelling remained so strong and affecting was astounding.
This was West Side Story as it should be: bold, breathtaking, and brimming with raw emotion. Nocturne Theatre has set a new standard for community theatre—one that feels anything but small.
photos courtesy of Meyer2Meyer
West Side Story
Meyer2Meyer Entertainment (Justin and Melissa Meyer)
The Nocturne Theatre, 324 N Orange St in Glendale
Thurs-Sun at select times
ends on June 2, 2024
for tickets, visit Nocturne (also find on Facebook and Instagram)
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From what I gather, the Nocturne Theatre isn’t a community or non-profit theatre—it’s a for-profit business. Turning a profit in LA’s theatre scene is no small feat, so credit to Meyer2Meyer (the husband-and-wife team behind it) for producing musicals in LA in this tough economic environment. That said, I would expect a higher standard from them than I would from a community theatre.