Join us for our 25th anniversary season !
Announcing the 1999 fall musical

West Side Story

Rehearsal photo of ENC student actors (as Jets gang members) in West Side Story.


 
 

The Communication Arts Department of Eastern Nazarene College kicks off their 25th Anniversary Theatre season and year-long celebration with West Side Story, the contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet on October 14-15 and 21-23 at 7:00 pm, and October 16 at 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm.  The vibrant landmark musical, a tragic love story set against the backdrop of two rival New York gangs, is considered to be one of the most significant creations of the American musical stage.   With music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents, the play is bursting with energetic musical favorites “Jet Song,” “Tonight,” “Maria,” “I Feel Pretty,” “America,” and “Somewhere.”  The faithful 1961 Academy-Award-winning film version firmly established West Side Story as a classic American musical.

Tony is the 1950’s Romeo, the former leader of the Jets gang. Tony is attempting to put the violence of New York street life behind him when he meets his Juliet, a young woman named Maria who has recently immigrated from Puerto Rico and whose brother is the leader of the Jets’ arch rivals, the Sharks.  Hatred, rivalries, and social prejudices conspire against the young lovers in this musical which remains as relevant and gripping today as when it premiered.

The New York Times raved that West Side Story is “. . . colorful, edgy with energy,”  while The New York Post described West Side Story  as “pure lyric grandeur.”   The Daily News  hailed the play as  “. . . a remarkable creation. . . a vivid, precedent-setting Broadway musical.”


 
 

The Cast

The Jets
Riff ...........................................Jonathan Messana
Tony................................Michael Caufield
Action ........................................Timothy Semchenko
A-Rab ........................................Jeff Scott
Baby John ..................................David Sweeney
Snowboy ...................................Christopher Moesel
Big Deal .....................................J.R. Polson
Diesel .........................................Dave Messana
Gee-Tar ......................................Brent Temple
Tiger ..........................................James Bowers

Jet Girls
Graziella .....................................Lindi Wells
Velma .........................................Tamar Andreson
Minnie ........................................Kimberly Rose
Clarice ........................................Melanie Adams
Pauline .......................................Jeni Hankins
Anybodys ...................................Katharine Ellis
Linda ..........................................Jolie Drahn
Sylvia .........................................Jaimie Heritage
Michelle ......................................Melissa Easton
Patty ...........................................Heather Schaeffer

The Sharks
Bernardo .....................................Nathaniel McIntyre
Chino ..........................................David Dein
Pepe ...........................................Gil Thibault
Indio ..........................................William Foss
Luis ...........................................Heath Tabby
Enrique ......................................Michael Caveney
Juan ...........................................Michael Brennan
Ramon ........................................Matthew Henry
Toro ...........................................Colin Martin

Shark Girls
Anita ...........................................Tara Brooke Watkins
Maria ...........................................Angela Carr
Rosalia .........................................Maureen Wall
Consuela ......................................Heidi Swank
Francisca ......................................Carla Romero
Estella ...........................................Nakita Barrett
Margarita ......................................Allison Ross
Carmen .........................................Cynthia D'Angona
Juanita ..........................................Yamileth Ortiz
Rita ...............................................Kathleen Abel

The Adults
Doc ...............................................Samuel Young
Officer Krupke ..............................Nathaniel Scott
Glad Hand .....................................Alain Lescart
 

Production Staff
Director/Producer ...........................................Ronda  R. Winderl
Technical Director ...........................................Michael W. Ballard
Student Director ..............................................Samuel Young
Vocal Coach ....................................................Dan Martin
Costume Designer ...........................................Judy Mucci
Choreographer ................................................Ronda R. Winderl
Stage Combat ..................................................Nathaniel McIntyre
Dance Captains ...............................................J.R Polson, Tatum Peckham
Make-Up Coordinator/Hair ............................Maureen Wall
Publicists ........................................................Christine Medaglia, Erin Shea
Business Manager/Program ............................Angela McEwen
Graphic Designer ...........................................Sue Ramey
Ticket Manager ..............................................Amanda Dix, Rebecca Lesile
House Manager ..............................................Mary Teresa Damata
Photographers ...............................................Christine Medaglia, Cecily Davey, Carl Winderl
 
 


Teachers:  Matinees are sold out!
Seats are going fast for West Side Story.  Advanced booking are now bring accepted for school groups at one of our matinee performances on Thursday, October 14 and 21 at 10:00 a.m.  You students may also participate in a post-show discussion with the director and cast members.  Call today to reserve your spot for this memorable production suitable for all ages.  Matinee tickets are $6.00 each.  Seats will be held upon receipt of a 50% deposit with the balance due on the day of performance.  Advance reservations and paid deposits are required.

For more information , please call the Box Office from 9a.m. - 5p.m. or send us an email at mcewena@enc.edu.  School group rates may also be available for evening performances. Call the Box Office at (617)745-3715.

Join our mailing list:
To receive a season brochure and be on the mailing list  for more information on West Side Story, send an email to the Box Office at mcewena@enc.edu.  Please include your name, address, nine digit zip code and phone number.  Address Change?  Send an email to the Box Office with your name and old address along with your new address (including the nine digit zip code).
 
 
 
 

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