Landmark Musical “West Side Story” Takes the Stage at Moline Spotlight
Nine years after last being staged in the Quad Cities, one of theater’s most beloved and acclaimed musicals is returning to Moline.
Spotlight Theatre, 1800 7th Ave., Moline., is presenting the iconic 1957 classic, “West Side Story,” opening Friday, June 12. It will run at 7 p.m. June 12, 13, 19 and 20, and 2 p.m. on June 14 and 21.
From the first notes to the final breath, “West Side Story” is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time, according to Spotlight’s synopsis. Arthur Laurents’ book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim are widely regarded as among the best ever written. The world’s greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theater’s finest accomplishments.
A scene from the new “West Side Story,” directed by Adam Sanders, opening June 12 at Spotlight Theatre, Moline.
Based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the story of star-crossed young lovers from rival families is transported to modern-day New York City as two idealistic lovers (here Casey Scott as Tony and Charleigh Weatherspoon as Maria) find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time, Spotlight says.
“West Side Story” director Adam Sanders has an emotional connection to the show. He was in “West Side” the last time it was produced in the QC at Quad City Music Guild, Moline, led by the late great Bob Williams, playing Nibbles of the Sharks (now played by Antonio Casas at Spotlight).
Sanders met his now wife, Bethany, during that 2017 production, where she played Graziella (played by Julia Carter in the Spotlight cast). “The way he led our cast was an inspiration for myself, as well as my wife Bethany, who is serving as our choreographer in this production,” Adam recalled of Bob Williams.
A scene from the new “West Side Story,” directed by Adam Sanders, opening June 12 at Spotlight Theatre, Moline.
Feb. 28, 2019 was a big date in Adam and Bethany’s story. That Thursday, after school he told her to meet him at the Spotlight to sign a contract for “Billy Elliot” – the musical he would direct and she would choreograph. Adam had the song “Falling Slowly” from “Once” playing, and he proposed to Bethany on stage. They married on July 25, 2020 and now have two boys.
“I wanted to direct this production to give our community a beautiful new telling of this classic story,” he said of “West Side Story.” “The beauty of this piece is it is timeless, so there were moments that we knew needed to pay homage to the original NYC production, but we wanted to take our own spin on it and continue to bring its relevancy to life! It also helps when we were able to get a cast that was able to truly portray these characters at their true ages. It makes the story easier to connect with.”
“This cast is truly one of the best, IF NOT the best cast I’ve worked with,” Sanders said by email recently. “They are hardworking individuals that want to give everything to this piece of art! It makes the process for our staff simple, and allows us to dive deep into things that may be overlooked in a seven-week process. That is a testament to the work this cast put into this production from day 1!”
A scene from the new “West Side Story,” directed by Adam Sanders, opening June 12 at Spotlight Theatre, Moline.
The Spotlight cast includes Jack Bevans as Riff, Jeremiah Viscioni as Bernardo, Maxwell Johnson as Chino and Catie Johnson as Anita.
“I would say the biggest challenge was the intricacies of the choreography the Bethany taught this cast,” Sanders said. “But after only a few rehearsals, I realized this cast was up for any challenge! These audiences are in for a wild and unbelievable night watching this cast.”
“The biggest thrill for me has been getting to see many of these young performers get an opportunity to be in a role that showcases more than what they are used to playing,” he said. “Also, getting to see ‘non-traditional Spotlight actors’ take center stage for this production! The fact we have four Spotlight debuts playing Tony, Maria, Riff and Anita is incredible!”
“Every day is a new journey with this cast, and they have truly been incredible. Pushing each other and always thriving, striving to be better each and every day,” Sanders added. “As a Hispanic male, it’s been thrilling to be able to tell the story of so many dreamers who dreamed of being a part of a community. To want to feel included, and what it feels to have to fight for your community. “
“Seeing this cast of individuals be able to tell that story of fighting for your community, either side of the table, is pretty remarkable,” he said. “Inclusion is what keeps us together, so the beauty of this story is it needs to be told. This is why ‘West Side Story,’ no matter how old it is, will always be relevant in our culture.
Casey Scott, who is studying law and philosophy at University of Iowa, has never done “West Side Story” before but was excited to be a part of it “because of the vibrant community theatre scene in the Quad Cities,” he said Monday by email. “I’ve been commuting to rehearsals from my home in Iowa City, but the people at rehearsals make the long drives bearable!
“One of my favorite parts of rehearsals comes 5-10 minutes before rehearsals start, where I get to hear about what everyone’s day looked like. No two answers are ever the same and it’s always amazing to me that, despite this fact, we come together to be in ‘West Side Story’ together in the evening,” he said.
Tony and Maria in the new “West Side Story” at Spotlight Theatre are played by Casey Scott and Charleigh Weatherspoon.
One of the unique challenges of the show is “combining all the technical elements of a character (e.g., line memorization, choreography, etc.) into one unique whole. It’s very easy to become fixated on one part of a character, so trying to ‘zoom out’ and see the entire story of Tony and Maria has been helpful for me,” Scott said. “I think part of what makes ‘West Side Story’ so thrilling is that the show moves so quickly. Tony and Maria experience every stage of a relationship in the course of 2 days. It’s difficult, but fun to make that story come to life onstage.
“Working with this cast has been great! Of course, it’s always lovely to be in another show with people that I’ve worked with before, but I’ve really enjoyed meeting new people and just marveling at their talent,” he added.
The musical is “a tragic reminder that some of our hardest lessons are learned at great expense to ourselves and to our communities,” Scott said of the classic story’s brutality and sadness. “The two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, create a world that neither of them want. Only once they live in this world do they see that their hatred for each other cannot guarantee a future that they want. Rather, they must come together. It’s a simple concept, but one that appears more and more difficult to learn: love is stronger than hate.”
Tickets for the Spotlight production are $24 – $30, available on the theater website HERE.
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