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theatre | by Jodi Smith Uncle Randy P r o d u c t i o n s , t h e p r e e m i n e n t p r o d u c e r of Musical Theatre o n the N o r t h Shore, has m a d e a n a m e for itself by presenting contemporary pop musicals. From its p r e m i e r p r o d u c t i o n of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1995 to last season's production of Tommy, audiences have b e e n thrilled, e n t e r t a i n e d a n d m o v e d by a s e l e c t i o n of musicals t h a t are a n y t h i n g b u t " c l a s s i c " . N o w , in t h e i r 9 t h s e a s o n , Uncle Randy Productions is presenting o n e of t h e d e f i n i t i v e musical theatre classics, West Side Story. Although some may think of West Side Story as a traditional old musical, artistic d i r e c t o r R i c h a r d Berg n o t e s t h a t e v e r y t h i n g U n c l e Randy P r o d u c t i o n s is k n o w n for w i l l be p r e s e n t in this p r o d u c t i o n . " W h e n p e o p l e c o m e t o our s h o w s t h e y e x p e c t a y o u n g v i b r a n t cast, great production values a n d a fresh original interpretation of the material," says Berg, " t h i s production offers all of t h a t . " A s always, this production is not merely a re-staging of previous West Side productions. " W e w i l l be true to t h e o r i g i n a l music a n d text but the design, choreography a n d direction are all n e w " . The creative team for this p r o d u c t i o n f e a t u r e s a m i x of o l d and n e w faces. C h o r e o g r a p h e r Shelley Stewart Hunt . « n is 11 0 a n ( * M u s ' c a ' Director M a r t i n Danyluk return for Productions their 9th and 6th Uncle Randy respectively, w h i l e Richard Berg (a North Shore r e s i d e n t ) is j o i n e d in t h e d i r e c t o r ' s c h a i r by Roger Haskett w h o m a u d i e n c e s w i l l remember as t h e c o - s t a r of last s e a s o n ' s 1998's critically a c c l a i m e d Godspell. Tommy and The d e s i g n t e a m brings together R o b S o n d e r g a a r d , w h o ' s l i g h t i n g of Tommy w a s n o t h i n g short of spectacular, G e o r g e Dart, w h o s e set for Godspell w a s a s s e m b l e d in 7 d i f f e r e n t theatres, a n d resident c o s t u m e designer, Jesse W h i t e (also raised o n the North Shore). In casting this p r o d u c t i o n the t e a m m a d e it a priority to look for " a g e a p p r o p r i a t e " actors. "This is a s h o w a b o u t y o u n g people, kids really," says Berg. Romeo and Juliet, t h e inspiration for Tony a n d M a r i a , were 14. Even if w e a c c e p t t h a t Tony a n d M a r i a are a bit o l d e r t h a n that, they are c e r t a i n l y not m a t u r e adults, a n d yet I h a v e t o o o f t e n heard a n d seen the roles performed by p e o p l e in their thirties or even forties. W e have cast actors t h a t look a n d s o u n d y o u t h f u l , s u c h as t h e t w o l e a d s Chris O l s o n (Tony - North Shore resident) a n d Stephanie Standerwick (Maria). They are w o n d e r f u l l y t a l e n t e d b u t they are young a n d w e believe that the e m o t i o n of the s h o w a n d the ultimate tragedy of the s h o w w i l l be much stronger because of i t " . The style of this year's s h o w may be a bit different but the Uncle Randy approach remains the same. They take great source material a n d strive to make it as vibrant a n d exciting as it w a s w h e n it w a s written. After 8 successful seasons it seems a safe bet that they w i l l deliver. West Side Story plays at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver from November 5th to the 23rd. Tickets are available now at the theatre box office or by calling 604-984-4484 or 604-980-7942. November | December