JUNE 6-12, 2013 ---------------------------Cover Story • West Side Story-------------------------- Leader of the [Jets] Pack By Michele DeVinney not just in the ability to move. People will resumes touring in the fall, Lencicki will be ask me about the dynamic of being in this moving on to other things, ready to tackle Closing out this season’s Broadway at cast and the role of Riff, and I tell them that something with a bit less angst. He doesn’t the Embassy series is one of musical the- even though I’ve never been in a gang, I un- yet know what he’ll be doing after his sum- atre’s most enduring and beloved classics, derstand that sense of camaraderie that the mer stint at Penn State, but not knowing is West Side Story. Based on Shakespeare’s Ro- Jets have or the Sharks have and compare it part of the fun for him. meo & Juliet, West Side Story brings wildly with being on team sports, the feeling that “I’ve been incredibly lucky so far and energetic dance numbers, memorable songs you have for each other and the need to stick have gone so many places. I’ve performed and riveting, heartbreaking drama to the together.” on a cruise ship and got to go to South Amer- story of Tony and Maria and their tender but Lencicki’s run with this production of ica. I’ve done a lot of regional theatre and tragic love. But more than that, the musical West Side Story began with rehearsals in national tours and got to see so many places tells the story of a conflict of cultures – and while not everyone has lived the life of the Jets and the Sharks, most under- stand the underlying challenge of break- ing free from the expectations of family and friends. When the show visits the Embassy this month, the role of Riff – the leader of the Jets and best friend to the show’s hero, Tony – will be Theo Lencicki, a na- tive of Scranton, Pennsylvania who is no stranger to musical theatre. But unlike some who have chosen that for a career, it wasn’t his eternal dream to take the stage. In fact, he kept himself busy for years in other areas entirely. “In elementary school and even into high school, I was full-blown into From left: Konrad baseball and basketball and was really Case, Thomas involved in sports. But I attended an arts institute near my home – just did it on Mothershed, a whim – and was introduced to singing Theo Lencicki and dancing, and it just lit a spark. From that point on, I started doing high school musicals and kept attending that arts WEST SIDE STORY institute and then another one a bit farther September and Monday, June 17 • 7:30 p.m. and do so many away from home, and I just kept going.” ends with the different things, From that point he decided to study final perfor- Embassy Theatre which is very for- theatre – majoring in acting with a minor in mance on June 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne tunate since this is dance – at Penn State University which he 24, which hap- such a competitive calls “the best school ever.” His experiences pens to be his Tix: $30-$61 thru Ticketmaster & business. And it’s there provided him with a solid background birthday. After Embassy box office, 260-424-5665 true that I don’t in the areas he most loved, but he also thinks that he heads always know what some of the best experiences came from back to his alma mater for an Artist in Resi- the next adventure will be, but I’m a firm roles which did not feature dance. dency program which he has done before believer that everything happens for a rea- “In college I got a much broader appre- and enjoys revisiting when the opportunity son, and if one thing doesn’t happen, it’s ciation for some other kinds of roles which presents itself. Aside from his joy at return- probably because you’re meant to be free for didn’t require me to dance, so I got to try ing to Happy Valley, he loves sharing his something else that’s just around the corner. other things. I got to be Cinderella’s Prince passion for the stage with others and appre- So I’m looking forward to getting my name in Into the Woods, and I was in Shakespeare’s ciates the balance of performance and teach- out there and making those connections this June 15, 2013 As You Like It in a much different role than I ing throughout the year. He also gets to work fall to see where I’ll be going next.” had done before.” with other athletes who may be discovering, In the meantime, he’s enjoying the 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Of course, in West Side Story Lencicki as he did, that dance is a natural evolution of chance to wrap up the West Side Story run gets to highlight all of his talents in one what they already know. and has embraced the opportunity to see $10 Advance • $12 Day of Tour meaty role. Singing, acting and dancing are “When I’m in Pennsylvania and work- family and friends along the way. A five- all required for the part of Riff, and he rel- ing with the students there, I often find that show run in Scranton brought out many of ishes the challenge. football players are the best dancers. Dance those he knew growing up, some of them “You really have to have the chops to do is as much athletics as it is an art form, and catching a show for the first time. His par- this role so I really enjoy being able to put it some of the drills they already do are very ents were able to see those performances all out there. The choreography is from Je- similar to some of the movements we do in and also made the drive for his recent perfor- Historic Homes • Lush Gardens rome Robbins, which was used in the 2009 my classes. I love being able to teach and mance in Syracuse, New York. While he has Broadway revival of West Side Story ... so find it to be a great way to spend time be- a couple places he calls home – most notably Early Fort Wayne Architectural Gems! we’re getting this straight from the horse’s tween shows.” Scranton and State College – he actually has CALL ARCH for tickets: 260.426.5117 mouth.” Lencicki already has an extensive résu- a home, one he doesn’t get to visit often but Lencicki also credits his background in mé, one which includes national shows like is anxious to return to in a few months. athletics with his ability to learn and perform Hairspray, A Chorus Line and Young Fran- “I’ve actually had an apartment in the work of one of Broadway’s dance mas- kenstein. His regional credits also include a New York for two years, and because of my ters. previous stint in West Side Story as Big Deal, work I’ve only been there for a total of four Made possible with the support of the Lincoln Financial Foundation. “I compare my work on stage to my a smaller Jet role which helped prep him for months. So I’m looking forward to getting background in athletics all the time, and his current gig as Riff. Although the show back there in August and see what’s next.” 2 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------www.whatzup.com ------------------------------------------------------------------June 6, 2013 ARCH WMainTour-8thV.indd 1 5/16/13 6:29 PM JameyJohnson_Layout 1 5/31/2013 11:17 AM Page 1 whatzup Willie 103.5 welcomes Volume 17, Number 44 his week’s issue is crammed with stuff to do, so we’ll get right to it. This week: Battle of the Bands (page 13), The Wedding Gift and Lombard (page 23), GermanFest (Music & Things To Do calendars), Decatur Sculpture TTour (page 25), Rock the Plaza (page 13), Spank! (page 17), Lamb of God (feature on page 6), a Sweetwater workshop (page 7) and much more. Next week’s lineup includes BBQ RibFest (feature on page 4), David Wilcox (feature on page 5), a benefit ride for Shepherd’s House (page 26), West Side Story (feature on page 2), with special guest Father’s Day specials and the list goes on and on. James Otto These 28 pages also contain a feature on local musicians Spike and the Bulldogs (page 7), more national and local concerts, art exhibits and events, festival infor- mation, movie times, movie reviews, CD reviews, stage and dance performances, Sat. June 15 a wine review, a book review and more. So read on, and pay attention to the ads, 7:30 pm for they contain gems of events to fill your calendars. Just remember who compiled all of these events for you in one convenient, free publication: the friendly staff at Contemporary country singer/songwriter whatzup. Tell everyone you see along the way it was they who sent you. Jamey Johnson is just as comfortable singing mellow country ballads as he is raising the • features CURTAIN CALL ...............................23 roof with outlaw honky tonk. “The High Cost of The Wedding Gift Living,” “The Dollar,” “In Color,” and FARE WARNING ............................ 26 “Playing the Part” have all landed on WEST SIDE STORY ......................................2 A Father’s Day Ride for Warriors Leader of the (Jets) Pack Billboard’s country charts.