Photo Flash: First Look at Theatre By The Sea's WEST SIDE STORY

Bill Hanney's award winning Theatre By The Sea (TBTS) presents the beloved musical classic, WEST SIDE STORY. Shakespeare's immortal 'Romeo & Juliet' is transported to 20th century New York City, where two idealistic young lovers, with only their love in common, find themselves caught between warring street gangs and clashing cultures. WEST SIDE STORY runs from Wednesday, June 22 thru Saturday, July 16, 2016.

"We continue the season with a true American classic musical, West Side Story," said TBTS owner and producer Bill Hanney. "With its legendary score, iconic dance numbers, and passionate tale of star-crossed lovers, the musical will captivate today's audience the same way it did when it premiered on Broadway 60 years ago."

First presented on Broadway in 1957, WEST SIDE STORY was conceived, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. The show was originally nominated for seven Tony Awards and won for choreography and set design. The stage musical was subsequently turned into a film in 1960 which won ten Academy Awards and the musical has received two major Broadway revivals.

West Side Story is a true masterpiece that not only established the genius of composer Leonard Bernstein and director/choreographer Jerome Robbins, but also launched the career of lyricist (and future musical theater giant) Stephen Sondheim. The show's score, with songs such as "Tonight," "America," "Maria," "I Feel Pretty," and "Somewhere (There's A Place For Us)," has become a permanent part of our nation's musical heritage.

The cast of WEST SIDE STORY will feature Bronson Norris Murphy and Evy Ortiz as the star crossed lovers Tony and Maria. They will be joined by Dana Hunter and Alexander Cruz as Anita and Bernardo. The cast also includes Danid Nick Alea (Toro), Roberto Araujo (Pepe), Hannah Balagot (Anybodys), Joshua Christensen (Lt. Schrank), Colin Shea Denniston (Snowboy), Jean-Pierre Ferragamo (Officer Krupke), Tom Gleadow (Doc), Danielle Marie Gonzalez-Quevedo (Teresita), Nicolette Hernandez (Francesca), Karma Jenkins (Rosalia), Dennis Keohane (Glad Hand), Cody Knable (swing), Chelsea Langevin (Velma), Colin Lee (Action), Tyler John Logan(Riff), Christopher Morrissey (Diesel/us Riff), Eric B. Mota (Chino), Pedro Rangel (Big Deal), Syndney Mei Ruf-Wong (Consuela), Zanza Steinberg (Graziella), Lamont Walker (Luis), Davis Wayne (A-Rab), Josh Zacher (Baby John). will serve as a swing.

Photos by Steven Richard Photography