PEA Mainstage, “West Side Story” Cut for Next Fall

The Theater and Dance Department made a collective decision not to produce “West Side Story” (1957) as the debut show of the David E. Goel and Stacey L. Goel Center for Theater and Dance, which was the original musical performed at the Fisher Theater upon its opening in 1972. During the original showing of the play at Exeter, white students used makeup to darken their skin while portraying the Puerto Rican characters. Due to concerns about logistics and the potentially culturally insensitive nature of performing “West Side Story,” the show was not pursued. 

“I hope that in the future the theater can have the cast and resources necessary to put on a show that will stretch Exeter’s boundaries and foster discussion ... It seems that time is just not now.”

Fisher Theater opened its gates for the first time on Oct. 21, 1972, and the introductory performance in the state-of-the-art facility was none other than the iconic “West Side Story.” Now, almost 50 years later, Exonians and faculty alike eagerly anticipate the new Center for Theater and Dance, set to open in the fall of 2018. Until a few weeks ago, PEA was planning to pay homage to the Fisher Theater debut and perform “West Side Story” as the first show in this new space.

“West Side Story,” a modern interpretation of William Shakespeare’s famous play, “Romeo and Juliet,” follows the forbidden love between two young adults from rival street gangs of different ethnic groups: one white, the other Puerto Rican.

Chair of the Department of Theater and Dance Robert Richards emphasized the significance of the show. “‘West Side Story’ is huge in the history of musicals. There were exciting reasons to take it on,” he said, referring to the many special acting, singing and dancing opportunities the show lent.

More importantly, Richards thought the show would allow three different performing art forms—music, dance and theater—to come together in the new Theater and Dance building. “It would allow for such great collaboration. That was certainly central to our thinking,” he said.

However, concerns over gender and racial diversity presented a major obstacle to the performance. Lower and Mainstage participant Paula Perez-Glassner said that female Exonians would not get as much out of the show. “There are only two female roles in the whole show,” she said, explaining that Exeter’s Theater Department has a majority of female actors. “The proportions were off…it was frustrating for a lot of people.”

When “West Side Story” first premiered on Broadway and was then brought to the big screen in 1961, many white actors used brown paint and makeup to appear Latinx. In Exeter’s 1972 “West Side Story,” faculty members and directors B. Rodney Marriott and Richard P. Hall used these racially insensitive methods in their own production. “Laurie Diehl’s superb dark skin is certainly not among her own assets but is rather a quality attributable to an outstanding makeup crew,” David Olson ’73 originally wrote in a 1972 edition of The Exonian.

Upper Kate Denny, also a participant in several mainstages and a member of DRAMAT, mentioned that the show would be difficult to do without “whitewashing” the roles. “I would feel uncomfortable and unfit for a role if it was originally supposed to be Latina, and I would feel pretty disrespectful by whitewashing it and trying to fulfill it,” she said. Perez-Glassner concurred, stating, “In terms of casting, it could be a problem casting someone who was more talented but not the correct ethnicity.”

Lower Jack Liu feels as though in part, the cancellation has to do with the Theater and Dance Department trying to “play it safe.” “The news of the cancellation came to us not too long after this year’s MLK Day debacle, so personally, my thoughts turned to how the department could be worried about the political ramifications of the show,” Liu said. “I guess I can’t help but feel that there’s the tiniest bit of copping out for the trustees, benefactors and community, since it comes at the cost of this legendary musical.” However, Liu ultimately agreed with Denny, believing that the issues surrounding cultural insensitivity did need to be taken into account, no matter who it was for. “As an Asian kid from the suburbs, I can’t say I’m qualified to live the world of ‘West Side Story,’” he said.

Despite his affinity for the musical, Richards prioritized the well-being of the community and his fellow faculty. “Whether it’s tragedy or comedy, musical or farce, [I want] something that builds the community,” Richards said. As the opening performance in the new building, he hopes another play will be able to celebrate this occasion and to find “gratitude and humility” in the Exeter community.

Logistics issues also challenged the launch of the performance. “I think moving into the new building itself, moving all of our stuff out of Fisher Theater and into the new center, on top of all the other things we already do and at the same time, getting to know the new building and just getting familiar with the new spaces…It’s going to take time,” Richards said.

Even though “West Side Story” will not be the opening play for next fall’s Mainstage production, Richards is still looking forward to whatever performances are to come. “I have a tremendous sense of optimism, stepping into this new place. There will be such an energy and a sense of play,” Richards said. “Theater is a way to bring us all together as a better community, a more connected community.”

Upper Gillian Allou hoped that the new building would bring a fresh attitude to Exeter. “I hope that in the future the theater can have the cast and resources necessary to put on a show that will stretch Exeter’s boundaries and foster discussion,” she said. “It seems that time is just not now.”