“Just play it cool, boy, real cool.”

Tanner Johnson, photograph by Tonya Forbes

On Friday, Jan. 19, “West Side Story” opened at the Springfield Little Theatre and began its three-week run.

During this show, Landers Theatre transforms into the streets of New York as two rival gangs, the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, fight for turf. When a friend of the Jets falls in love with the sister of the leader of the Sharks, the two gangs decide to settle their war once and for all. The young lovers, Tony and Maria, try to keep their love alive amid prejudice, violence and hate.

The show stars Tanner Johnson, a sophomore arts administration and vocal performance major. After eight weeks of rehearsal, he makes his Springfield Little Theatre debut as Tony.

For Johnson, performing in front of an audience is nothing new. However, Johnson, a singer at heart, had little acting experience going into the role.

“The hardest part,” he said, “is a lot of times Tony isn’t on the same page with the rest of the cast with what is going on onstage. Whenever there are these big, horrible, dramatic things happening onstage and I come in right after that, I have to be up and smiling. Learning how to adjust the energy onstage is something that is difficult for me. It has taken some practice.”

To put his own spin on the character, Johnson said, “I try to put myself in it and see how Tony relates to me. I love playing him. He’s a fun guy, very passionate and a little cheesy.”

Johnson’s favorite songs from the production include the ballad “Maria” and the “Tonight” quintet.

“My favorite scene that I am in has to be the balcony scene, where I am singing with Maria on her balcony. It is like Romeo and Juliet. That’s the big reference to Shakespeare. The song “Tonight” is awesome, and it is one of the anthems of the show,” said Johnson.

His favorite scene of the entire show features the song, “Gee, Officer Krupke.”

“It’s so needed,” he said, “It might seem a little out of place, but the second act is a little dark. You need some comedic relief, and [the actors] nail it. I wish I could be in that song.”

“West Side Story” celebrated its 60^th anniversary last September. Although the first performance of the musical was in 1957, its characters face discrimination, heartbreak and other conflicts that many face today.

“It’s about social injustice and violence, and that’s such a relevant issue right now,” said Johnson. “Obviously, the music is great. But it’s also a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, and that story is hundreds of years old. That story is always going to be relevant to people.”

Johnson believes that this show has something in it for everyone.

“I played on the baseball team last year, and half the team showed up this weekend. They loved it. If you can get the jocks to come out and love the theater, anybody can watch it. It will keep anyone’s interest. There’s knife fights, gun shots, kissing; it’s got everything. It’s just a great show. There’s a reason it’s had so much success.”

Other members of the cast include Mitch Johnson and Genevieve Fulks. Johnson, a junior theatre major, plays a member of the Jets named Big Deal. Fulks teaches voice at Drury. She stars as Maria.

“West Side Story” is based on a book by Arthur Laurents. The music is by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The Springfield Little Theatre’s production is directed and choreographed by Lorianne Dunn. The music director is Susan Gravatt.

“West Side Story” is rated PG-13. Its runtime is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are from $15-$36. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the Springfield Little Theatre’s box office at 417-869-1334.

“Don’t get hot.” “West Side Story” will be at Landers Theatre until Feb. 4, so you can “keep coolly cool.”