Back in 1986, English teacher Rolf Olson directed his first West Side story to EPHS. He did it again in 1996, saying (in the 96 story) that “We now have an incredible talent pool. And they are fun to work with. It’s such challenging music, but we have skilled vocalists in the cast and chorus who have received more training . And the quality of the pit band is outstanding.”

Well, it’s 2006, a lot of things have changed about the drama department including having access to Performing Art Center. But, Olson is still directing, and for one last time, he and the students are putting on West Side Story.

In Olson’s view, there are few shows worth repeating, but West Side Story is one of them. This is mostly because it gives the performers such a broad experience, there’s a tough score, a large cast, a challenging set.

And of course, “It’s one of my favorites.”

EPHS seniors, Anna Reichert, and Morgan Sutherland, talked about what’s it’s like being part of this classis musical. The two play female leads Anita and Maria.

 “It’s really good all the way around,” noted Anna.  “Like it’s not just vocally powerful. The stuff that the pit is playing is really difficult music. So, it’s a good balance of instrumentation and vocalization,” she added.

Compared to last year’s musical “Singing in the Rain,” Morgan noted that there’s a lot more solos and duets.

With a significant part, (playing Maria), Morgan said that the biggest challenge has been with “a lot of difficult vocal parts that are really high.”

When asked about the rehearsal schedule, Anna said that they’ve been at it everyday, three hours a day five days a week, (some weekends) and that’s just for the group work.

“You’re kind of responsible for knowing your stuff outside of rehearsal,” she said.

Olson noted some changes in this year’s version. He said it will be larger cast (53 students) and some of the focus on the stage is about the folks who get caught in the middle between the Jets and the Sharks fights.

That’s because he doesn’t want to celebrate the violence of the story, but rather the message, a classic Romeo and Juliet story.

Olson also mentioned that this year EPHS had joined the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program.  The program, offered through the Hennepin Theatre Trust brings in theatre professionals to evaluate high school productions.

According to a news release, “Hennepin Theatre Trust established the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program after recognizing that no program existed to honor excellence in high school musical theatre.”

“Shows are not compared or ranked against other musicals, so each category may have multiple award recipients,” it states.

This all culminates with a “Tony Awards-style gala,” that will be held next year.

When it comes to West Side Story, though, non-theater types can enjoy as well.

 “People you don’t even expect know anything about musical theater, know West Side story,” said Anna.

Even her eye doctor “was like humming the songs after I told him that I was in the show.”