Virginia Repertory Theatre Presents WEST SIDE STORY
By: Julie Musbach May. 10, 2018
Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of West Side Story on Friday June 22, 2018 at the November Theatre/Arenstein Stage, 114 West Broad Street. The show will run through July 29, 2018. Previews will be on Wednesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 21, 2018. With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, this classic musical retelling of Romeo and Juliet is set against the backdrop of New York's Hell's Kitchen in the 1950's.
Featuring a pioneering take on social tensions and gang rivalry, the vibrant characters that comprise the Sharks, from Puerto Rican immigrant families, and the Jets, from White American families, rumble with one of musical theatre's most beloved scores. This Tony Award-winning show, which has had numerous revivals and an Academy Award-winning film adaptation, is a love story for the ages and remains as powerful as ever.
Special Exhibit
Virginia Rep's production of West Side Story is officially listed in the Bernstein at 100 list of global events celebrating the centennial of the life and career of Leonard Bernstein. A museum display will be exhibited at Virginia Rep outlining Bernstein's contributions to the theatre, and several other special events will be performed this summer to honor his work.
New Balcony Seating
Virginia Rep is pleased to announce a balcony refurbishment, scheduled to be completed by June 1 prior to the opening of West Side Story. Kjellstrom + Lee Construction, Delta Graphics and DMA Floors have installed new decks, wood floors, carpeting, seating and handrails in the balcony of this 1911 historic building.
The Cast
Virginia Rep is excited to welcome almost twenty new faces to the November Theatre stage for this musical phenomenon, both local Richmonders and out-of-towners. Brittany Santos and Justin Luciano, making their Virginia Rep and Richmond debuts, return to West Side Story in their respective roles of Maria and Tony after starring together in Cortland Repertory Theatre's production in New York. Santos will be reprising the role for the third time, including Virginia Rep, Cortland Rep, and Arizona Broadway Theatre. Other regional credits include Show Boat and Fiddler on the Roof (Arizona Broadway Theatre). Recent credits for Luciano include The Lightning Thief (Theatreworks USA) and Rock of Ages (The Eagle Theatre).
Maria Cristina Slye will also make her Virginia Rep debut as Anita. A Virginia native, Slye graduated from James Madison University where she studied Musical Theatre. She has since toured nationally with The Bodyguard the Musical, Ghost the Musical, and Elf the Musical. Regional credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (The Muny) and The Bodyguard the Musical (Paper Mill Playhouse).
Richmond newcomer Eddie Maldonado joins the cast as Bernardo. Based in New York, Maldonado has performed internationally with Disney Cruise Line and portrayed Ritchie Valens in the 2015 US National Anniversary tour of Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story. Corey Mosello rounds out the principal cast as Riff. Recent regional credits include Evita (North Shore Music Theatre) and the World Premiere of A Bronx Tale at Paper Mill Playhouse.
Virginia Rep Artistic Director, Nathaniel Shaw, will direct his second show of Virginia Rep's 2017/18 season, following the success of the World Premiere production of River Ditty, co-produced In Partnership with Tony and Olivier Award-winning Glass Half Full Productions. Shaw also directed last summer's smash-hit In the Heights, which received the 2017 Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Award for both Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical.
Choreographer Matthew Couvillion comes to Richmond from New York City. Recent choreography credits include A Chorus Line, La Cage aux Folles and Life Could Be A Dream at Cortland Repertory Theatre, and dancer credits include the international tour of West Side Story. Anthony Smith returns to Virginia Rep as Music Director after associate musical directing this season's holiday spectacular Mary Poppins. Smith also served as Musical Director for Cadence Theatre Company's Fun Home in partnership with Virginia Rep.
Scott Bradley will serve as set designer. Bradley is on the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University as Assistant Professor and Head of Scene Design for the Department of Theatre. Broadway credits include Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Drama Desk Nomination for Best Set Design) and Seven Guitars (Drama Desk Award and Tony Award nomination for Best Set Design).
Virginia Rep Assistant Costume Director, Sarah Grady, will design costumes. Her work was last seen in the summer hit musical, In the Heights, and she designs regularly for Cadence Theatre Company. Master Electrician BJ Wilkinson will serve as lighting designer. Recent credits include River Ditty and Mary Poppins.
Full cast and creative team below.
Direction & Design
Director - Nathaniel Shaw^
Music Director - Anthony Smith
Choreographer - Matthew Couvillion
Associate Director - Wes Seals
Production Stage Manager - Jocelyn A. Thompson*
AEA Asst. Stage Manager - Luke Robinson*
Asst. Stage Manager - Lydia Crush
Set Designer - Scott Bradley+
Light Designer - BJ Wilkinson
Costume Designer - Sarah Grady
Sound Designer - Derek Dumais
Cast
Tony - Justin Luciano*
Maria - Brittany Santos
Riff - Corey Mosello*
Bernardo - Eddie Maldonado
Anita - Maria Cristina Slye*
Doc - Jay Millman
Lt. Schrank - Andy Boothby
Officer Krupke - Gregg Lloyd
Gladhand - Eddie Webster
Action - Elliott Styles
Baby John - Matthew Moore
Diesel - Logan Mortier
Big Deal - Grant Paylor
A-Rab - Paul Dandridge
Snowboy - Anthony Oates
Anybodys - Carly Grossman
Chino - James Grice
Pepe - Giovanni Da Silva
Indio - Michael Carrier
Inca - Daniel Powers
Bolo - Diontey Michael
Velma - Emily Dandridge
Minnie - Rachel Pitchford
Graziella - Casi Briggs
Teresita - Savannah George
Francisca - Faith Candino
Rosalia, Anita u/s - Gabi Campo*
Consuela, Maria u/s - Caroline Attayek
* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.A.
^ The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union
+ Member of USA, United Scenic Artists', local 829
Box Office: 804-282-2620
Full Price Tickets: $36 - $62
Discounted Group Rates and Rush tickets available.
U-Tix for college and high school students $15. Available by phone or in person, day of show only. Valid Student ID required.
Performance Schedule
Evening performances at 7:00 p.m. on select Wednesdays and every Thursday
Evening performances at 8:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday
Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on select Wednesdays and Saturdays and every Sunday
Accessibility Programs
Audio Described Performances
In collaboration with Virginia Voice, Virginia Rep is pleased to offer Audio Described performances narrated by audio describers who describe actions, expressions and gestures during gaps between dialogue throughout the performance for patrons with low vision or blindness. In addition to live audio description during performances, patrons are also invited to participate in a tactile tour before the performance.
Induction Loop
The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre is equipped with a state-of the-art induction loop hearing system that is compatible with all telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. A handheld receiver and headphone system is also available free of charge for anyone who is hearing impaired.
Community Tickets Grant
Virginia Rep is thrilled to offer a free Community Tickets Grant for nonprofit organizations. We encourage all organizations who have a demonstrated need for complimentary tickets to fill out a short application on our website: bit.ly/CommunityTix
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