The Department of Music and the Musical Theatre Club at Covenant College will present the American Broadway classic West Side Story on March 18-20, 25 and 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dora Maclellan Brown Memorial Chapel.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and students. Tickets may be reserved online at www.covenant.edu/tickets or by calling the ticket line at 706 419-1428 or the music office at 706 419-1453. Please call to inquire about group rates for groups of 20 or more or for special pricing if you are an employee or student of Covenant College.
Conceived by world-renowned choreographer Jerome Robbins, this modern-day Romeo and Juliet story transports to New York City in the late 1950s. A young, idealistic couple, Tony and Maria, are caught in the battle between two ethnic groups: the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their love story begins and ends quickly amidst a world of hate and prejudice. As with Romeo and Juliet, this love story is heart-wrenching and relevant.
The choreography of Jerome Robbins, the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, and the orchestration of Leonard Bernstein combine to produce one of the most complex works in the musical theatre repertory. The orchestra is conducted by Maestro Lok Kim and joins a cast of over 50 actors, dancers and crew to present an authentic version of the original production as it was premiered in 1957. Barry VanCura of Ballet Tennessee has choreographed the production alongside producer and director Dr. Jeanell W. Brown, associate professor of music at Covenant College.
Tony and Maria are portrayed by Justin Johns and Laura Childers, respectively. Anita is played by Chloe Payne, alongside the Sharks’ leader Bernardo (Jon Vanderhart). The Jets are led by Riff (Wes Simmonds). Officer Krupke (Kip Burdette) and Lt. Schrank (Thomas O’Ban) try to keep order in the neighborhood.
Other cast members include Doc (David Reed), Glad Hand (Corban Brauer), Anybodys (Brittany Luther) and Chino (Seth Marsh). Members of the Jets include Paul Smallman, Jamie Wiggins, Daniel Rienstra, Jacob Corbett, Jacob Davis, Ashley Stewart, Lauren Hartzell, Shelby Knapke, Lauren Shaffer, Mary Simpson and Kait Moore. Members of the Sharks include Peter Upton, Jared LeFebre, Nathaniel Anderson, David Korver, Robbie Brown, Maddie McComas, Ashley Chinchen, Lisa Young, Amy Reed and Emily Chovan.