Celebrate Bernstein's 100th Birthday as On Broadway Performing Arts Training Program Presents George Chakiris Live at SVA Theatre

Falling during the celebration of Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday, On Broadway Presents a special screening of the Academy Award-winning movie musical WEST SIDE STORY (1961), followed by a conversation with the Oscar-winning star of the film, George Chakiris, on Monday, August 20th at 5:30pm at SVA Theatre.

Chakiris will be present for a conversation with Annette Insdorf (Columbia University Film Professor, Cinematic Overtures: How to Read Opening Scenes author). The evening will also include a reception and opportunity for guests to enjoy a meet & greet and autograph session with the star.

Admission is $60-$75 and tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit the arts education organization, On Broadway.

Film Synopsis: Featuring Leonard Bernstein's iconic score, WEST SIDE STORY won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The movie musical focuses on two youngsters from rival New York City gangs who fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy. Starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris; directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins; with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Running time: 152 minutes. MPAA Rating: G.

George Chakiris is a triple threat who has established an international career on the big screen and in theatre. The son of Greek immigrants, this actor, dancer and singer is recognized for his credits in nearly two dozen films, several acclaimed mini-series in Europe and Japan, BBC performances, and concert tours in Las Vegas and around the world. He earned an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award for his dynamic role as Bernardo in the film classic, West Side Story. In the late 1950s, Chakiris was cast as Riff, leader of the Jets, in the London production of West Side Story. He was later chosen to play Riff's arch rival, Bernardo, in the 1961 theatrical release. Before his big break, George appeared in films with icons like Cyd Charisse, Mitzi Gaynor, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly and Rosemary Clooney. He performed in There's No Business Like Show Business, Brigadoon, White Christmas, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, starring Marilyn Monroe. In 1991, the French Government's Minister of Culture awarded George the status of "Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" for his contributions to the Arts. His most recent awards include the Dizzy Feet Foundation's "Impact Award" (2015) and Tremaine's "Legendary Entertainer of the Year" Award (2017). George prides himself in sharing his legacy, knowledge and experiences with aspiring artists in the performing arts.

Annette Insdorf is Professor of Film at Columbia University's School of the Arts, and Moderator of the popular "Reel Pieces" series at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y, where she has interviewed over 200 film celebrities. She is the author of Intimations: The Cinema of Wojciech Has; Double Lives, Second Chances: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieslowski; Francois Truffaut, a study of the French director's work; Philip Kaufman, and the landmark study, Indelible Shadows: Film and the Holocaust (with a foreword by Elie Wiesel). Her latest book is Cinematic Overtures: How to Read Opening Scenes, and she received the Mel Novikoff Award from the 2018 San Francisco Film Festival.

On Broadway Performing Arts Training Program is a child-centered, family-focused arts education organization that brings Broadway uptown with conservatory-style performing arts training, hands-on arts education experiences and mentoring that supports youth in reaching their potential both on and off the stage.

On Broadway removes the velvet rope and treats every child and their families like a VIP. Our mission is to engage, empower, excite, and educate young students in the performing arts. Theater educators must guide students with experience, skill, energy, patience, insight, and a sense of humor. Mentoring through education is vital to the mission statement of On Broadway: Performing Arts Training Program. Our goal is to not only teach students the principles of the performing arts in a conservatory type setting, but also help them discover truth and meaning along the way. No matter which direction they may take in life. All classes are led by theater or design professionals with years of experience in the performing arts industry.

Theater and Ticketing Information
Children under the age of six may not be admitted. Tickets are only available through Eventbrite and will not be on sale at the box office in advance of the event. Tickets may be available at the door one hour prior to each screening, depending on availability. Doors will open approximately 30-45 minutes prior to the screening. All seats are general admission. Your Eventbrite ticket -- either printed or displayed on your smartphone -- is required for entrance. All tickets are final sale. There are no refunds or exchanges. Concessions are not available for purchase at SVA Theatre. Glass bottles are not permitted. Please contact rema@onbroadway-patp.com for more information.