Hope Summer Repertory Theatre will open the beloved Broadway classic “West Side Story” on Friday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the DeWitt Center main theatre.
Additional performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on June 22 and 26; July 9, 13, 16, 23 and 31; and August 3 and 8. There will also be two matinee performances at 1:30 p.m. on June 29 and August 3.
Based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” “West Side Story” features music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents. The musical tells the story of tensions between two gangs living in the 1950s in New York City: a multi-cultural gang, the Jets, led by Riff, and a Puerto Rican gang, the Sharks, led by Bernardo. However, when Bernardo’s sister Maria falls in love with Riff’s best friend Tony, the tensions on the Upper West Side begin to grow even more.
“West Side Story” premiered on Broadway in 1957 at the Winter Garden Theater and was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Jerome Robbins took home the Tony for Best Choreography and Oliver Smith won for Best Scenic Design. “West Side Story” has since garnered renown as one of the most influential musicals in American theatre history.
Hope’s production of “West Side Story” is directed by Mary MacDonald. The creative team includes Alex Thompson as music director, Chaz Sanders as choreographer, Sarah Pearline as scenic designer, Leslie Vaglica as costume designer, Alan Piotrowicz as lighting designer and Tyler Knowles as sound designer.
The cast includes Angelika Anastasio, John Bergeron, Ali Bourzgui, Teresa Cameon, Noah Cornwell, Trey DeLuna, Chip DuFord, Katrina Dykstra, Pedro Juan Fonesca, Julia Gomez, David James, Madeline Jones, Julia Kinestiver, Christian Klepec, Darius Lee, Ben Lohrberg, Rafael Lopez, Natalie Mara, Sara Ornelas, Nicholas Parrott, Meg Rogers, Benny Salerno, Chaz Sanders, Jacqueline Silva, Lauren Blair Smith, Taylyn Reine and Lindsay Webster.
Tickets for “West Side Story” range from $28 to $35 for balcony/orchestra seating and $32 to $40 for mezzanine seating. Tickets and season packages may be purchased through the Hope Ticket Office located downtown in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and may be called at 616-395-7890. Tickets can also be purchased online.
The DeWitt Center is located at 141 E. 12th St., facing Columbia Avenue between 10th and 13th Streets. More information about HSRT’s 48th season can be found online or on facebook.