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WEST SIDE STORY

Presented by Performance Riverside at Landis Performing Arts Center

September 14-September 23, 2007

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Performance Riverside opens its 2007-2008 season with WEST SIDE STORY Performance Riverside opens its 2007-2008 season on September 14th with one of musical theatre’s most unforgettable masterpieces, West Side Story. The production is directed by Gary Krinke, choreographed by Orlando Alexander, and musically directed by Allen Everman. West Side Story is the first show in Performance Riverside’s 2007-2008 Broadway series, which also includes Seussical, The King and I, a new production of Sensational Showtunes, and the Inland Empire premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie. West Side Story was on the creative cutting edge when it opened fifty years ago, with its brilliant blend of the Shakespearean tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, and its frantic, edgy realism of 20th century street-gang life. The artful mixture of music, dance and plot; provocative story; and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theater, and its subject matter has become increasingly topical with the passage of time. The innocent young protagonist, Anton ("Tony"), who belongs to an established local gang, the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the rival gang, the Sharks. With a book by Arthur Laurents, the music of Leonard Bernstein, the groundbreaking choreography of Jerome Robbins, and the sophisticated lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story is a sensational production with memorable and beautiful songs that include "Maria" "America", "Cool", "Tonight", "Gee, Officer Krupke", "I Feel Pretty", "One Hand, One Heart", and "Somewhere." “The fact that the social problem of gang violence has become even more complex in the fifty years since the opening of the original Broadway production of West Side Story is tragic,” says Performance Riverside’s Producing, Artistic Director, Rey O’Day. “However, it is the passion of the story and the hope that young people feel that keeps the story fresh even today. Every time I see this show my heart soars and my soul is deeply moved all over again.” Cast in the vocally and emotionally challenging role of Tony is Jason Webb. Jason’s recent performances at Performance Riverside include Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees, and Ché in Evita, for which he won a 2006 Inland Theatre League Award. Cassandra Murphy returns to Performance Riverside to play the equally demanding role of Maria. The cast also includes Juliette Miller as Anita, Bobby Perino as Riff, Orlando Montes as Bernardo, Brian Conway as Chino, Alison Hooper as Anybodys, Bob Mays as Doc, Tom Patrick as Detective Schrank, and Danny Blaylock as Officer Krupke. Also featured are Michelle Anderson, Jordan Beck, Andrew Cloud, Katie Davis, Liza B. Domingo, Brittany Freeth, Juan Guillen, Benjamin Hart, Kylie Hamilton, Charissa Hogeland, Jacob Lopez, Nelly Maximous, Michael Milligan, Robert Ramirez, Veronica Ramos, and Mark Velarde. West Side Story is performed on September 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 8pm, and September 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 2pm at Landis Performing Arts Center on the Riverside City College Campus. Tickets are $42, $36, $29, and $24. For more information, call the Landis Performing Arts Center Box Office at (951) 222-8100. For online ticketing, and more information about Performance Riverside’s 2007-2008 season, visit www.performanceriverside.com.