Performance Riverside presents WEST SIDE STORY September 15, 2007

Performance Riverside opens its 2007-2008 season with one 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.
Based loosely on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story explores the enmity between two rival gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. 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. The artful blend of music, dance and plot, provocative story, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theater when it opened 50 years ago in 1957. 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."
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, or visit www.performanceriverside.com.

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Official Website: http://www.performanceriverside.com