Youth, experience add fuel to collaborative ‘West Side Story’

The first major collaboration between Columbus Children’s Theatre and Short North Stage aims to reinforce the spirit of youth in a musical classic.

Featuring actors from both companies, “West Side Story” will preview Thursday and open Friday at the Garden Theater’s Main Stage.

“These partnerships are important because they lend themselves to projects we couldn’t do alone and add dimensions to the production,” CCT executive director Susan Pringle said.

Composer Leonard Bernstein, lyricist Stephen Sondheim, author Arthur Laurents and choreographer-director Jerome Robbins updated “Romeo and Juliet” to a racially charged feud between youth gangs — an all-caucasian gang, the Jets, and a Puerto Rican gang, the Sharks — in 1950s Manhattan.

“It’s time to look again at this classic musical that we love so much,” Short North Stage artistic director What: “West Side Story”

Who: Columbus Children’s Theatre, Short North Stage

Where: Garden Theater, 1187 N. High St.

Contact: 614-725-4042, www. columbuschildrenstheatre.org, www.shortnorthstage.org

Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursday (preview), Friday and Thursdays and Fridays through Nov. 15; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 16; and 3 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 17

Tickets: $31.50 to $51.45, or $36.75 for the preview

Edward Carignan said. “It’s still a love story … but we’re bringing out a brand-new side with a younger cast.”

With more than 35 cast members, including 14 young CCT actors, the production is Short North Stage’s largest and most expensive.

“We want to raise the bar on quality,” said Carignan, the choreographer-director.

While Carignan choreographed the dancing by the Jets, New York choreographer Trevor Schmidt staged the steps by the Sharks and other Latin-influenced dances.

“‘West Side Story’ gives lots of opportunities for teenagers to be part of the show,” Carignan said.

Carignan’s research revealed that the age range of 1950s Manhattan gangs was actually wider: from 14 to 30.

“I thought it would be interesting to combine professional dancers with student dancers to reflect that reality,” he said.

With young actors among the gang members on both sides, the dance-driven musical becomes more poignant and powerful, Pringle said.

“That’s how it would have been when this kind of gang and ethnic violence took place in a neighborhood,” she said. “What these kids witness is more horrific when you realize how young they are.”

Avery Bank, 16, plays Clarice, a Jet girl.

“The girls want to be part of the gang but don’t want to fight,” said Bank, of Columbus Children’s Theatre. “Clarice really wants attention, but the guys keep throwing the girls out.”

Bank appreciates the collaboration.

“It’s a great experience for us younger kids to get to work in a professional theater,” she said.

Playing Maria, sister to Sharks leader Bernardo, is Alexis Semevolos. Maria is in love with Tony (Corbin Payne), a member of the Jets.

“She’s kind, warm and loving. I love her innocence but also her respect for her culture,” Semevolos said. “Maria, a high schooler, is very sheltered by her family, but she wants to get out and experience the world.”

The professional actress from New York is impressed by the younger performers.

“Having that young energy makes the show feel even more authentic,” Semevolos said.

The show will be her fourth stint as Maria after productions in 2015 in Florida and Pennsylvania and 2017 in Iowa.

“This is a really beautiful musical but challenging in acting, singing and dancing,” Semevolos said.

Lisa Glover plays Anita, the girlfriend of Bernardo.