3,000 Miles Off Broadway Productions Presents WEST SIDE STORY

3000 Miles Off Broadway Productions in association with Actors' Repertory Theatre of Simi proudly present WEST SIDE STORY, written by Arthur Laurents, with music composed by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. This special 5 performance only engagement will be Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 13 (Mother's Day), on the Debbie Reynolds Mainstage at the historic El Portal Theatre in the NOHO Arts District, El Portal Theatre is located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood, California.

It's the late 1950's and this is Hell's Kitchen. The streets of New York City belong to two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, and their feud is about to reach a fever pitch. The Actors' Repertory Theatre of Simi's production of West Side Story rumbles to life on the Debbie Reynolds MainStage of the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.

Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, remains relevant even today. The theme of "us versus them" reverberates loud and clear, as does its ultimate dire conclusion.

It was cutting-edge in the 1950's to include the racial division of Puerto Rican gangs vs. American gangs. Today little has changed and, in fact, gang problems loom larger than ever. It isn't hard to draw parallels between the Sharks and Jets with the modern gangs of Los Angeles. And when the Sharks sing lyrics about hurricanes and having no electricity on their island home, one can't help but think of the current situation in Puerto Rico. And are these problems solved or compounded by a gun? It's a question with which our is still struggling.

Which isn't to say that this is a political play - far from it. It's a love story for the ages. The duet on the fire escape is often cited as perfect musical theatre, as love transcends race in "Tonight." But discrimination and pre-conceived ideas keep the lovers separate. Their love cannot take place in the real world, and they dream of a place where there are no racial boundaries in "Somewhere."

The magic of West Side Story comes from the brilliance of Bernstein, Sondheim, Laurents and the original choreography of Jerome Robbins (which echoes throughout this production). Jan Glasband and Caroline Esposito co-directors of this epic musical create a production that leaves the audience singing all the way home. Becky Castells deftly choreographs the large cast (no small feat), giving a nod to the great Jerome Robbins while putting her own stamp on the dance numbers.

One of the biggest delights of the production is the accompaniment by a live orchestra conducted by Matt Park. Experiencing Leonard Bernstein's music live alone is worth the price of admission.

For tickets and information please call 818-508-4200 or online at www.elportaltheatre.com

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