WEST SIDE STORY To Captivate At The Maltz Jupiter Theatre

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is ending its smash hit 2018/19 season with an iconic American musical that's impossible not to love: West Side Story. And it's almost sold out!

A captivating international classic, West Side Story will dazzle audiences March 26 - April 14.

With book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story follows the story of Tony and Maria - two young, idealistic lovers - who find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. They fight to find a place for themselves in a violent world, only to discover that love doesn't always have a happy ending.

Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story takes the tale of two star-crossed lovers to new heights. Heart-wrenching and captivating, this beloved hit musical will take audiences on a journey through passionate scenes, romantic ballads and fiery dance numbers. The musical's classic score boasts American musical theatre classics including "Tonight," "Something's Coming," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere."

"West Side Story has long been considered one of the greatest love stories of all time, and we are proud to be bringing this phenomenal musical to life on the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's stage," said Andrew Kato, the Theatre's producing artistic director and chief executive. "The musical has been taking the world by storm for decades, and for good reason; its story and music remains more powerful and poignant than ever."

Since its critically-acclaimed debut on Broadway in 1957, West Side Story has long influenced the theatre world. The Tony Award-winning production ran for more than 700 performances, followed by a tour and a subsequent Academy Award-winning film and Grammy-winning cast album. Other hit productions have included a London production, two Broadway revivals and several national tours and international productions. Steven Spielberg is producing and directing a highly-anticipated new film version of the musical, with plans to start filming this summer.

Variety has called West Side Story "a beautifully-mounted, impressive, emotion-ridden and violent musical," while Common Sense Media called it "a visual masterpiece packed with talent" and the Chicago Sun-Times dubbed it "a landmark of musical history." The Hollywood Reporter wrote that "it is so good that superlatives are superfluous," while the Los Angeles Times dubbed it "irresistible!"

Led by powerhouse trio Marcos Santana (director), Al Blackstone (choreographer) and Andrew David Sotomayor (music director), the Theatre's production will star Evy Ortiz as Maria (who toured the U.S. as Maria in the first national Broadway tour of the Broadway revival of West Side Story and debuted that production in Canada and Japan) and Jim Schubin as Tony (whose previous credits include the national tour of The Sound of Music and the off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks). The cast of 28 triple-threat performers also stars Michelle Alves as Anita (recently seen on Broadway in On Your Feet! and the national tours of West Side Story, On Your Feet! and Motown), Angel Lozada as Bernardo (seen on NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE) and Kelly Methven as Riff (whose credits include the 2017 international tour of West Side Story, the Las Vegas production of Rock of Ages and New York City Center's Grand Hotel).

West Side Story marks the artistic reunion of Santana, Blackstone and Sotomayor at the Theatre, who together helmed last season's critically-acclaimed production of Disney Newsies The Musical. Santana also choreographed the Theatre's hit production of Kiss Me, Kate in 2016. With Broadway credits that include the Tony Award-nominated On Your Feet!, Rocky and Guys and Dolls, Santana's multi-faceted career as a director, choreographer and performer has spanned decades, both regionally and in New York.

Blackstone is a New York City-based director, choreographer and educator whose work includes Freddie Falls in Love at the Signature Theatre, Happy We'll Be at Roseland Ballroom, the recent off-Broadway musical The View Upstairs and the television show So You Think You Can Dance. Sotomayor is a renowned music director, music supervisor and composer whose recent music direction credits include the off-Broadway production of Curvy Widow and regional theatre productions of Man of La Mancha, The Will Rogers Follies and Cutman: A Boxing Musical.

"I am so honored to be returning to the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and collaborating once again with true artistic innovators Al Blackstone and Andrew David Sotomayor to re-envision this extraordinary and gorgeous piece of classic American musical theatre," Santana said. "West Side Story is a classic American love story that resonates more than ever with audiences today. I can't wait for audiences to see what we've done with it."

The production will also feature the work of a vibrant all-star creative team, including several other collaborators on the Theatre's production of Disney Newsies The Musical. The creative team includes scenic designer Adam Koch (whose designs include the Theatre's productions of Disney Newsies The Musical and Disney Beauty and the Beast); lighting designer Cory Pattak (whose work includes the Theatre's productions of Disney Newsies The Musical, Born Yesterday, Me and My Girl, The Audience and Other Desert Cities); costume designer Jen Caprio (who designed the costumes for the Theatre's production of Kiss Me, Kate!); hair and wig designer Gerard Kelly (who has designed for Hair on Broadway and on London's West End); fight director Lee Soroko (whose work at the Theatre includes Disney Newsies The Musical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and An Inspector Calls); dialect coach Jennifer Burke (whose work at the Theatre has included Disney Newsies The Musical, Steel Magnolias, An Inspector Calls, Me and My Girl, The Audience, Billy Elliot, Fiddler on the Roof and Lost in Yonkers) and the Theatre's Carbonell Award-winning resident sound designer Marty Mets (currently in his eighth season at the Theatre).

Looking for a spectacular evening out? Let the Theatre entertain you with the magic of live theatre! An exquisite treat for your office staff, family, neighbor, friend or sweetheart, this smash hit is a gorgeous love story you won't want to miss.

To compliment your evening out, consider one of the Theatre's many preferred restaurants and hotel packages. Also, share the gift of theatre with a gift certificate, available at the box office.

Patrons may purchase tickets for club level premium seats in the Theatre's premium space, The Green Room, and enjoy the stylish lounge and amenities throughout the season. Amenities include spacious 23" seats, a lounge with a private bar and restrooms, one free drink of choice with ticket purchase (evening performances only for season shows), panoramic views of the stage and a private entrance and elevator. Groups who purchase all 62 Club Level seats to a performance receive full access to The Green Room Club Level Lounge at no additional charge to host a private event, such as a catered dinner or cocktail party.

West Side Story is sponsored by Suzanne Niedland in Loving Memory of Art and Meg Niedland, The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation and John Osher; single tickets start at $60. For tickets and showtimes, call (561) 575-2223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org. For more information on bringing your group to the Theatre, contact community relationships ambassador Cheryl McDermott at (561) 972-6117.

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