- April 19, 2024
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Michael Donald Edwards, Asolo Rep's producing artistic director, discusses how important "West Side Story" is to the theater's five-year "American Character" project.
Jenna Burns and Mark Koeck, Maria and Tony in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "West Side Story," sing the song "Tonight."
Jenna Burns and Mark Koeck, Maria and Tony in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "West Side Story," sing the song "Tonight."
Jenna Burns and Mark Koeck, Maria and Tony in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "West Side Story," sing the song "Tonight."
Jenna Burns and Mark Koeck, Maria and Tony in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "West Side Story," sing the song "Tonight."
Mary Antonini, center, leads her Puerto Rican powerhouse ladies of the Sharks gang through a rendition of "America" from Asolo Rep's production of "West Side Story."
Marilyn Caserta (left) and Mary Antonini (right) argue between the Shark girls in the classic number "America" from "West Side Story."
Director and choreographer Joey McKneely has taught the dancers Jerome Robbins original and iconic choreography from the 1957 Broadway production.
Two time Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely speaks on the importance of having a youthful production with some of the cast members still in their teenage years.
Virgil Matelau and Victoria Byrd are two Booker High School students who are starring alongside professional equity actors in Asolo Rep's production of "West Side Story."
Daniel Russell, Michelle West, Brett Thiele, Brianna Abruzzo, Caleb Dicke and Andrés Acosta
As the rest of the theaters in Sarasota are in the middle of or just finishing their first production of the 2015 arts season, the Asolo Repertory Theatre is still preparing for the opening of its first production: the classic gang musical "West Side Story."
Opening Asolo Rep's fourth year of its ambitious "American Character" project (detailing and examining what it means to be American through the countries greatest plays and musicals), this production of Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins and Stephen Sondheim's renowned musical will have a special emphasis on dancing authenticity and youthful energy.
"You're going to see a new, stylized vision of 'West Side Story,' says Joey McKneely, director and choreographer. "I wanted teenagers to see themselves onstage. It's my mission to inspire and create new friends and the fans of the music for the future."
The young cast, which consists of several teenagers including Booker High School students Victoria Byrd and Virgil Matelau as members of the Sharks, performed two musical numbers for the audience. First was the enchanting love song "Tonight" sung by this show's Tony and Maria, Marc Koeck and Jenna Burns. Then shortly after the young lovers' duet came Mary Antonini as Anita and the rest of the ladies of the Sharks sing and dance the humorous and thrilling "America."
The production, which opens for previews on Nov. 10 and runs through Dec. 27, will also be shown to sold out crowds of Sarasota and Manatee County high school students. Michael Donald Edwards, the producing artistic director, says that the theater are offering special discounts for students who can't see the show with their school.
"We're producing and presenting to Sarasota a new, energetic, and exciting version of 'West Side Story,' says Edwards. "And hopefully after all the students and members of the community absorb its powerful message, we'll have made the world a better place."
