Can You Hear Me Now?

On January 23, students took a break from rehearsal for the winter musical production of West Side Story to enjoy a very special treat. Oscar-winning actress Rita Moreno called in to talk to the students and offer them advice — and more than a few humorous anecdotes — about her life as a stage and screen star.

The 81-year-old Moreno won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress as Anita in the original film of West Side Story (1961). Moreno was the first Latina actress to win an Oscar and has had a spectacular career both on Broadway and in movies. Currently, she is filming the second season of Happily Divorced on TV Land. She also headlined a one-woman show entitled Life Without Make-Up this past November at Berkeley Repertory in California.

Ann Marie Potter, mother of SHS senior and dance captain Stephen Potter, conceived the idea for the interchange between the West Side Story theater company and its original star. The plan was to place a “facetime call” to the students via an iPad2, which had been set up to be projected onto a screen so everyone could view the interchange. Joncia Lytwynec, director of instructional technology, coordinated the technical aspects of the call-in. There were some tense moments as students and several SHS staff members waited for the connection to go through; however, after wireless difficulties for Moreno proved insurmountable, “Plan B” was quickly and smoothly put into motion, and an iPhone with its speaker function enabled was used to communicate.

Moreno was enchanting as she spoke of her experiences in auditioning and acting for nearly an hour to about 60 students, who were so riveted, one could almost hear a pin drop. There were many light moments, including when Stephen Potter introduced junior Cailin Cowley, who plays Anita, to Moreno as “your competition.” Moreno asked Cowley if she was scared at the prospect of performing. She admitted, “A little,” leading Moreno to exclaim, “I don’t blame you!”

Moreno took questions from several students, including the leads in the musical, Clive Moffat as Tony and Emily Amarell as Maria. SHS junior Joey Martin asked if she had any advice for someone who wants to break into show business. Her reply, “You better have another job that can pay the rent!”

Her final words of wisdom for the cast were practical ones for the dedicated group of theater students. More than focusing on being “a star,” she acknowledged there is no substitute for hard work. Simply put, “Work on your scenes.”

The SHS musical production of West Side Story runs Feb. 3, 4, 10, 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 5 and 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 adults; $10 students and senior citizens; free for senior citizens with VIP pass from Simsbury Board of Education. For more information about the VIP pass program or to reserve tickets online, go to www.simsbury.k12.ct.us (under Community Connection). You can also reserve tickets by calling 860-658-0451 x991.

This information was submitted by the Simsbury Public Schools.