SOME 19 years on since joining Cecilian Musical Society, chairperson Anne-Marie Mulcahy is delighted that her first show back in 1993, ‘West Side Story’, is the society’s next production. Chatting with Limerick Post at the Cecilian bash (Gordon Kearney, president of Limerick Chamber officiated) to announce details, Anne-Marie makes the point, “We have a gifted young cast and great dancers, espeically our young male dancers and that’s unusual for musical theatre company. Bear in mind that ‘West Side Story’ is very much a dancing musical”.
She refers back to last year’s national win, an AIMS award for Best Ensemble for their take on the ‘Waiters’ Gallop’ in ‘Hello Dolly’. It’s one of a string earned by Cecilians.
“This is also our first show in the new Lime tree Theatre in Mary Immaculate College which will be a real challenge. We are also running our show over four nights, November 28 to December 1, as opposed to the usual three. So we get to showcase our talents for that extra night – naturally, we are delighted”.
She speaks for the longstanding partnership with Barbara Meaney, choreographer and Des Henn, director with Noel Lennon as musical director.
According to Meaney, much research is done by them already of interviews with Arthur Laurentis in the ’50s, the man who wrote the book on which the Bernstein/ Sondheim musical is based: “His story is much grittier then the film of the musical with Natalie Wood. The book ‘West Side Story’ is more serious, it’s about racism, has two shootings, there’s a rape scene. Des does not want to soften this production at all. He wants to show that The Jets and The Sharks were thugs and gurriers”
Paring back performances “to develop character and dig deep down to find the bigotry and hatred so that the audience will believe, so that the show is credible,” is the focus of Henn as director.
An exciting and visceral production should follow. Book ahead of the posse at Lime Tree, www.limetreetheatre.ie
