Asolo Rep Hosts Inside Asolo Rep: WEST SIDE STORY Panel Today

Asolo Rep will present "Inside Asolo Rep: WEST SIDE STORY" today, November 4, 2015. Coffee and pastries will be served in the theatre's lobby at 10am, followed by the panel discussion at 11 a.m. in Asolo Rep's mezzanine.

This special panel discussion spotlighting Asolo Rep's upcoming production of WEST SIDE STORY will feature the show's director/choreographer, two-time Tony nominee Joey McKneely, and scenic designer Lee Savage. These theatre artists will shed light on their creative processes and what it takes to bring this theatrical masterpiece to Asolo Rep's stage. The discussion will be moderated by Asolo Rep's Dramaturg and Casting Associate Lauryn E. Sasso.

Panel discussion tickets are just $5 for the general public and are free for all donors and Asolo Rep Guild members. To reserve your tickets, call the Asolo Rep Box Office at 941.351.8000 or visit www.asolorep.org.

In WEST SIDE STORY, the gritty streets of mid-1950s Upper West Side Manhattan come to life in this unforgettable story of star-crossed lovers entangled in the rivalry of culturally divided street gangs. As the Jets and the Sharks rumble for their turf, Tony and Maria long for a place of their own far from the intolerance that surrounds them. The original Broadway production premiered in 1957 and was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning two. The 1961 film adaptation starring Natalie Wood was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning 10. Featuring such unforgettable classics as "Maria," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Tonight," Asolo Rep's freshly interpreted production is packed with the breathtaking choreography, thrilling songs, and unforgettable characters that have made WEST SIDE STORY a worldwide phenomenon for more than 50 years.

Previews for WEST SIDE STORY are November 10-12, opening night is November 13 and the production runs through December 27.

About the Panelists:

JOEY McKNEELY FIRST SEASON (Director and Choreographer) has directed/choreographed West Side Story throughout the world including London's Sadler's Wells (Olivier Nom/Best Musical Revival), Paris's Théâtre du Châtelet and Milan's La Scala Opera. On Broadway, Joey's choreographic debut was Smokey Joe's Café, followed by The Life, Twelfth Night at Lincoln Center, The Wild Party, The Boy From Oz starring Hugh Jackman, and West Side Story. He has earned 2 Tony Award Nominations, 2 Outer Critics Circle Nominations, an NAACP Image Award and an LA Ovation Award. He has also directed/choreographed US National Tours of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Annie Get Your Gun, Crazy For You and Smokey Joe's Café. Internationally, The Beautiful Game in Japan; the world premiere of Love U, Teresa, and Ah, Kuling! in China; and Evita and Dusty in London.

LEE SAVAGE FIFTH SEASON (Scenic Designer) Past Asolo Rep credits include Our Betters, Glengarry Glen Ross, Inventing Van Gogh, Las Meninas, and The Innocents. NYC: Sunset Baby and Thinner Than Water (Labyrinth); Collapse (Women's Project); Rx (Primary Stages); All-American (LCT3); The Dream of the Burning Boy, Ordinary Days (Roundabout); Oohrah! (Atlantic); The Bereaved (Partial Comfort); punkplay (Clubbed Thumb); End Days (EST). Regional: Alliance, CenterStage, Chautauqua, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theatre Center, George Street Playhouse, Glimmerglass Festival, Goodman, Guthrie, Long Wharf, Milwaukee Rep, Old Globe, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Trinity Rep, Two River, Westport Country Playhouse, Washington National Opera, Wilma, and Yale Rep. Awards: Helen Hayes: Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream (nom), Richard III (nom), and Connecticut Critics Circle: The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow. Member of Wingspace Theatrical Design. B.F.A., RISD; M.F.A., Yale School of Drama (currently on faculty).

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