STAGE REVIEW : Confident Cast Scores for ‘West Side Story’

Westminster Community Theatre’s “West Side Story” has many of the flaws afflicting small playhouses when they revive major musicals: The sound track is too loud, the singing does not always exploit the beauty of the score and the acting, while full of temperament, lacks precision.

But even with its problems, this Kent Johnson-directed production pleases more than displeases. Johnson’s straightforward approach never lets anything lag and makes sure that we feel the emotional gestures of love and bigotry so central to “West Side Story.” Sandy Mason’s choreography, although derivative, is remarkable for playing as well as it does on such a small stage.

Then there’s Jill DeFreitas as Maria. DeFreitas could use a little tutoring on her acting (at times she is high strung and overscaled), but she is a young performer who has the tools. Her handling of the famous denouement, when she grieves over Tony’s body with rage and desperation, is evocative and direct.

And DeFreitas’ voice is outstanding. There’s not much competition for her at Westminster, but even in a stronger ensemble, she would shine. Her handling of “I Feel Pretty” is loaded with girlish abandon, and her part in “A Boy Like That/I Have a Love” is pure tenderness.

This is not to say that Johnson’s young cast is without ability. Singing is not one of its strengths, but dancing is: Mason has a well-rehearsed group that stays on the marks. Considering the limited space, it could mean disaster if the cast was not precise. And the furious acting, although not often graceful, does have a rawness at times that impresses.

Perhaps the biggest reason this production scores despite the odds is that the cast appears so thrilled with it all. A few of the solos are marked by uneasiness, but this is generally a confident group.

As Tony, Jon Gale is expected to keep up with DeFreitas’ Maria; unfortunately, he is overmatched. Their duets (the marvelous “Tonight” and “One Hand, One Heart”) depend on reciprocal talents, and Gale’s voice just is not resourceful enough to keep up.

Not all the fault is his. Like the other singers, he has to fight the volume on the recorded score, which tends to swallow voices that are not that powerful to begin with.

Next to DeFreitas, Lanell Henson takes charge as Anita by giving her the requisite sexiness. With her head held high under a thicket of dark curls, she is an attractive mix of tango flounces and salsa-hot comebacks. It’s difficult to hear her singing in “America,” but she’s got the moves down.

‘WEST SIDE STORY’

A Westminster Community Theatre production of the musical, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents. Directed by Kent Johnson. With Jon Gale, Leonard Polidori, Robert Sholty, Matthew Howard, Jim Hannah, Bart McHenry, David Hawkins, Dana Hanstein, Sondra Ziegler, Paula Thill, Megan O’Brien, Elvia M. Nunez, Shannon Rene Campbell, Dexter Echiverri, Erik Duane, William Eric Bookland, Anjali Bhimani, McCullon Smith, Don Hawkins, Byron J. Batista, Junio DePaz, Tony Trujillo, Jill DeFreitas, Lanell Henson, Kim MacLean, Roxanne D’Ascenzo and Barbra Tibbles. Choreography by Sandy Mason. Lighting by Chuck Benton. Set by Kent Johnson. Costumes by Roz Abrams and Megan O’Brien. Plays Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. through Aug. 12 at 7272 Maple St., Westminster. Tickets: $5 to $7. (714) 995-4113.