A little closer to home, audiences can enjoy Diablo Light Opera Company's handsomely staged "West Side Story."

Director and choreographer Grant Rosen has found an impressive core of dancers to execute his athletic choreography which highlights this modern day "Romeo and Juliet." Rosen shows no fear as he dwells on the darker, more tragic elements of the story making this "West Side Story" more complex and fulfilling.

His uniformly excellent cast (headed by the talented voices of Derek Lux and Meghann May as Tony and Maria) were more than up to the task. Set designer Kelly Tighe's urban jungle, enhanced by lighting designer Paul Miller pools of light and dark, add to the complexity of this poignant musical. "West Side Story" plays through May 8 at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts. Call 925-943-SHOW.