WEST SIDE STORY Announces Changes To The Spanish Integration In The Show

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY announced today that slight changes have been implemented into the current Broadway production at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street). "A Boy Like That" is now predominately sung in English to the original lyrics and selected dialogue and lyrics in "I Feel Pretty" have reverted to English. The changes went into effect last Thursday, August 20, 2009.

"From the outset, the Spanish in West Side Story was an experiment. It's been an ongoing process of finding what worked and what didn't, and it still continues," said Tony Award-winning director/librettist Arthur Laurents.

More than fifty years ago, a show about New York City changed musical theatre forever. Now, its come home to make history once again.

From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Arthur Laurents' book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim - a collection of standards that includes "Tonight," "America," "Maria," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere" - is widely regarded as one of the best ever written. And the extraordinary, Tony-winning choreography by Jerome Robbins completely changed the language of Broadway dance.

This groundbreaking new production, directed by the legendary Mr. Laurents, offers a bold new design that builds on the show's raw power and emotion to create a fresh experience unlike any that came before it. Don't miss this thrilling presentation of a matchless work of art.

WEST SIDE STORY was nominated for 4 2009 Tony Awards®, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Leading Actress (Josefina Scaglione), Best Featured Actress (Karen Olivo), and Best Lighting Design (Howell Binkley)!

Karen Olivo (Anita) won the Tony Award this year for "Best Performance by a Featured Actress."

The cast of 46 stars Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as "Tony," Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as "Anita," John Arthur Greene as "Riff" and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as "Bernardo." The role of "Maria" is played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. WEST SIDE STORY also features Steve Bassett as "Lt. Schrank," Mike Cannon as "Snowboy," Kyle Coffman as "A-Rab," Joey Haro as "Chino," Eric Hatch as "Big Deal," Curtis Holbrook as "Action," Michael Mastro as "Glad Hand," Lee Sellars as "Krupke," Tro Shaw as "Anybodys," Ryan Steele as "Baby John" and Greg Vinkler as "Doc" along with Nicholas Barasch, Kyle Brenn, Joshua Buscher, Isaac Calpito, Haley Carlucci, Peter Chursin, Madeline Cintron, Lindsay Dunn, Yurel Echezarreta, Manuel Herrera, Matthew Hydzik, Marina Lazzaretto, Chase Madigan, Yanira Marin, Mileyka Mateo, Kaitlin Mesh, Angelina Mullins, Kat Nejat, Christian Elán Ortiz, Pamela Otterson, Danielle Polanco, Sam Rogers, Michael Rosen, Amy Ryerson, Jennifer Sanchez, Manuel Santos, Michaeljon Slinger, Tanairi Sade Vazquez and Mark Zimmerman.

Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, with the original Jerome Robbins choreography restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life), WEST SIDE STORY features scenic designs by James Youmans (Gypsy), costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard (The Farnsworth Invention, The Who's Tommy), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Gypsy, Jersey Boys), hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer (The Farnsworth Invention) and sound design by Tony Award nominee Dan Moses Schreier (Gypsy, A Catered Affair). The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

WEST SIDE STORY is produced by Kevin McCollum, James L. Nederlander, Jeffrey Seller withTerry Allen Kramer, Sander Jacobs, Roy Furman / Jill Furman Willis, Freddy DeMann, Robyn Goodman / Walt Grossman, Hal Luftig, Roy Miller, The Weinstein Company and Broadway Across America.

Tickets for the Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) are on sale at www.tickemaster.com (212-307-4100) or at the Palace Theatre box office. WEST SIDE STORY plays Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Broadway ticket prices are $121.50 - 46.50.

For more information, visit www.broadwaywestsidestory.com.