Review – West Side Story at Paper Mill Playhouse
Written by Joely DeMonte on June 12, 2026
Paper Mill Playhouse concludes its season with West Side Story, the forever iconic musical classic conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Directed by Paper Mill Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, the production brings one of Broadway’s most celebrated works back to the Paper Mill stage.
Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story follows Tony and Maria, two young people who fall in love despite belonging to rival groups, the Jets and the Sharks. Set in 1950s New York City, the musical explores themes of love, identity, prejudice, and belonging through songs including “Maria,” “Tonight,” “America,” and “Somewhere.”
The production stars Noah Henry as Tony and Sarah-Anne Martinez as Maria. They are joined by Mikaela Secada as Anita, Antony Sanchez as Bernardo, Sean Harrison Jones as Riff, Hugo Pizano Orozco as Chino, Nick Alvino as Action, Stuart Zagnit as Doc, Adam Monley as Schrank, and Adam Kozlowski as Krupke.
Mikaela Secada’s performance as Anita moves between humor and emotional depth, capturing both the character’s wit and her more vulnerable moments.
Beyond the show’s legacy, this production offers a glimpse at a remarkable group of young performers. The cast is overflowing with fresh talent, and there is a palpable sense that many of these artists are on the verge of larger careers. It is easy to imagine audiences looking back five or ten years from now and proudly saying, “I saw them at Paper Mill in West Side Story.”
This production also features the original choreography conceived by Jerome Robbins. The creative team includes Alex Sánchez as choreographer, Ben McNaboe as music director leading the 19-piece Paper Mill orchestra, Kelly James Tighe as scenic coordinator and additional designer, Antonio Consuegra as costume designer, Charlie Morrison as lighting designer, Matt Kraus as sound designer, The Wig Associates as hair, wig, and makeup designers, and Rick Sordelet as fight and intimacy director.
The cast also includes Gianna Paulina Annesi, Joseph Aued, Bridget Bailey, Anette Barrios-Torres, Taven Blanke, Delaney Diaz, Benjamin Freemantle, Karina Gonzalez, Sofie Hans, Alex Haquia,Macie Harris, Paulo Hernandez-Farella, Beatrice Howell, Cydney Kutcipal, Jamie LaVerdiere, Justin Lopez, Jasper Thomas Moore, Kennedy Perez, Matthew Quintero, Brett Rawlings, Ryan Rodiño, Juan Rojas, Daniel Patrick Russell, Ronan Ryan, Avelina Kiyome Sanchez, and Kyra Sorce.
For members of the Montclair State University community, the production includes several alumni. Ryan Rodiño (’19) appears as Indio, Nick Alvino (’22) plays Action, Justin Lopez (’23) serves as a swing, and Alexa Racioppi (’18) is part of the creative team as Associate Choreographer.
More than sixty years after its premiere, West Side Story reminds audiences that some stories never lose their relevance. For this musical, there will always be a place.
West Side Story runs now through June 28th at Paper Mill Playhouse. For more information, visit Paper Mill Playhouse at https://papermill.org/
