Courtesy Raintree Studios

Beverley Viljoen as Maria and Robert Lopez as Tony in ACLO's production of West Side Story.

Alameda Civic Light Opera's summer musical season took off with a bang Saturday night with its reprise of West Side Story, a powerful rendition of the beloved Romeo and Juliet-inspired tale. Ingenue Beverley Viljoen as Maria blows the socks off this production with what is the most authentic performance I've ever seen at ACLO (and many other stages); her affecting emotion onstage at the finale and indeed, through the curtain call, was impressive. Discovered at the last minute for last year's starring role in Cinderella, Valjoen gives her Maria a sparkling voice and personality that elevates the character from a simple lovelorn teen to a complex, fully expressed woman.

ACLO, which offered up WSS back in1999, brings the production to life again with simple sets and vibrant costumes. The Shark girls are particularly lovely in their crinolines and rainbow of colorful dresses. Subtle blue and gray for the opposing gangs is reminiscent of another historic rivalry between Blue and Gray.

While several individuals stand out for their roles, top nods go to the eloquent Robert Lopez, whose vocal range and finesse bring depth and grace to the role of Tony. His "Something's Coming" and "Maria" are breathtaking. Donna Rapa-Olsen's Anita is also charged with sauce and wit, layered with passion and anguish. Her fury and fear are palpable in "Taunting" and almost bring the show a PG-13 rating (parents, be prepared for a discussion about race and violence, whatever age your children are).

As always, director Jeff Teague (he of the many titles), directs the ensemble numbers in tight choreography and complex layers; the balletic "Prologue," the "Dance at the Gym," and the spine-tingling "Quintet" are a festival of sight and sound. Leonard Bernstein's score makes musical nods to various genres of the 1950s; the orchestra, under the direction of Cary Litchford, keeps the energy high, with aplomb.

Other highlights are Jackie Gage's lithe and tomboyish Anybodys, Ryan Rigazzi's glib Riff, Liz Caffrey's sassy Velma and Phil Reed's frustrated Doc. Also noteworthy: Teague's utopic scene in "Somewhere" where, for a few moments, there is a place where anger, hatred and fear don't exist — a gray world where people are blind to differences, until an imagined slight turns the utopia to ash. It's a poetic gesture in an otherwise bleak "real" world.

ACLO's West Side Story runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through July 27. Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave. Call for tickets and information: 864-2256 or www.aclo.com.