Eastern View’s first rumble

Lauren Lukow takes her craft seriously.

The blue-eyed blonde Eastern View High School junior dyed her long, light tresses brown nearly two weeks ago to play the lead role of Maria in “West Side Story.”

“This is a huge experience for me,” said the soft-spoken 16-year-old brunette who moved to Culpeper from Fairfax this summer. “I really prepared for the audition plus I have a decently trained voice.”

The two-hour musical features nearly 30 Eastern View and Culpeper County High School students.

The Cyclones and Blue Devils will perform the show at Eastern View on Friday and Saturday at 7.p.m. Sunday’s matinee starts at 2:30.

This classic tragedy takes place in 1950s New York City where two rivals gangs – the Jets and the Sharks – fight to keep a budding interracial relationship from blossoming. It’s based on “Romeo and Juliet.”

When Tony, a white, American teen and member of the Jets, meets Maria, a dark-haired beauty from Puerto Rico with a brother in the Sharks, the struggle to be together turns deadly.

This play takes you on an emotional roller coaster with daring dance scenes, ill-fated rumbles and a forbidden romance.

An experienced cast
For Lauren, wearing a wig to play Maria wasn’t an option.

“I’ve had bad experiences with wigs in the past,” said Lauren, who donned a bright, curly afro during the production of “Annie.” “Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.”

Her love interest, Tony, played by John Flemming, an Eastern View junior, is no stranger to the stage either.

He began performing at the age of 7 and had starring roles in “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Grease.”

“I got some valuable experience performing at Riverside (Dinner Theatre in Fredericksburg,)” he said.

However, this task is unlike the characters John has played in the past.

“It’s the most serious role I’ve ever had,” said the 17-year-old actor during Wednesday’s dress rehearsal.

Even director Jeff Walker, theatre arts and yearbook advisor at Eastern View, has a part in this dramatic performance.

He plays a loud-mouth cop and a nerdy guy at the dance.

Walker also points out the significance of the show’s location.

It’s the first performance ever held in the county’s new high school, which opened in August.

Before Eastern View, Walker taught drama at Culpeper Middle School.

“It makes my job a lot easier,” he said of his former middle school students who have graduated to high school.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .

Want to go?
What: West Side Story
Where: Eastern View High School, near the intersection of Route 666 and U.S. 29
When: Tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday matinee at 2:30
Cost: Adults $10, students $5
Dinner special: Saturday at 5 p.m. in the forum $25 per couple or $15 per person for dinner and the show. A fundraiser featuring a silent auction will also proceed Saturday’s performance
*This show is not recommended for children 9 and under