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Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction is recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).
WEST SIDE STORY tells the story of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria as they struggle to rise above the hatred and intolerance that surrounds them. It soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.”
Tickets for WEST SIDE STORY begin at $37.00 and are available at the Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-3373 or online at www.artistseriesjax.org. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 632-3228 or groupsales@fscj.edu.
The cast features Addison Reid Coe as Tony, MaryJoanna Grisso as Maria, Michelle Alves as Anita, Theo Lencicki as Riff and Andrés Acosta as Bernardo.
Also featured are Amber Ardolino as a Shark, Yesenia Ayala as a Shark, Lauren Cannon as Graziella, Konrad Case as Lt. Schrank, Blue Cervini as a Jet, Max Chucker as A-rab, Mark Deler as a Shark, Erika Hebron as a Swing, Dan Higgins as Diesel, Matthew Krob as Glad Hand, Greg London as Doc, Guy Mandia Jr as Action, Thomas Mothershed as Officer Krupke, Louie Napoleon as a Swing, Thaddeus Pearson as a Shark, Josh Pins as Baby John, Anthony Raimondi as a Swing, J. Nycole Ralph as Consuela, Tory Ramirez as a Shark, Bridget Riley as Anybodys, Ricardo Rique-Sanchez as Pepe, Arianna Rosario as a Shark, Carolina Sanchez as Rosalia, Michael Shultz as Big Deal, Jeff M. Smith as Snowboy, Tony Thomas as a Shark, Juan Torres-Falcon as Chino and Laura Volpacchio as a Swing.
The Associated Press says WEST SIDE STORY “remains Broadway’s best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout.” Variety says, “The true stars of WEST SIDE STORY are Jerome Robbins' graceful, endlessly expressive choreography and Leonard Bernstein's score, which still sounds bracingly modern a half-century after it was first heard. The music is a primal force.” WEST SIDE STORY is written by three theatrical luminaries: two-time Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents (book) and multiple Tony and Grammy Award winners Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) in his Broadway debut. WEST SIDE STORY features scenic designs by James Youmans, costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard, lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley and sound design by Peter McBoyle.
WEST SIDE STORY PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
DECEMBER 4 - 9, 2012
Tuesday, December 4th at 7:30PM
Wednesday, December 5th at 7:30PM
Thursday, December 6th at 7:30PM
Friday, December 7th at 8:00PM
Saturday, December 8th at 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sunday, December 9th at 1:30PM and 7:00PM
National Tour Cast Biographies
ANDRÉS ACOSTA (Bernardo) feels honored to be working on this extraordinary piece of theatre. Favorite professional credits include Grease (Danny), A Chorus Line (Al), Ragtime (Houdini) and Hairspray (Sketch). BFA Music Theatre from FSU. All my love and gratitude to my parents, friends and MSA.
MICHELLE ALVES (Anita) First National Tour. Born and raised in Puerto Rico. Credits: Rent, Hair, Nine, Hairspray, Chicago; “Dirty Dancing 2,” “Feel the Noise;” Black Eyed Peas, Ricky Martin, Pitbull, Nelly Furtado; Billboard’s, Grammy’s. Endless LOVE and THANKS to family and friends!
AMBER ARDOLINO (Shark Girl) feels so blessed to be cast in her first national tour! She would like to thank Clemmons Dewing Casting, her family, and God for this incredible opportunity.
YESENIA AYALA (Shark Girl) is thrilled to be on tour with WSS! She holds a BFA in Theatre from ECU and has worked regionally since then. Now resides in NY where she was recently seen in Terminator Too: Judgement Play. Mami y Papi, esos es pa’ ti.
LAUREN CANNON (Graziella/Jet Girl) This is Lauren’s first national tour, and she is thrilled to be playing the role of Graziella. She would like to thank the team at DDO Artists Agency, her incredibly supportive family, and her mom. Couldn’t have done it without you.
KONRAD CASE (Lt. Schrank, u/s Glad Hand, u/s Officer Krupke) would like to dedicate his performance to his mother, Jacquie. Thank you for making him tryout for Peter Pan so many years ago. Konrad feels truly blessed to be a part of this amazing cast. Many thanks.
BLUE CERVINI (Jet Girl) is thrilled to be a Jet Girl! Credits include: Cats (Victoria) at Gateway Playhouse; Ballet Aviv’s Nutcracker (Arabian Princess); Debbie Allen’s Just Dance; Quixotic Fusion. Thanks to my family, my showstopper family, TC, KR, and everyone along my dance journey!
MAX CHUCKER (A-rab/Jet Boy) hails from Virginia Beach and is a proud F.S.U. graduate (B.M.) Favorite professional credits include Hello, Dolly! (Barnaby), Fiddler (the Fiddler), and Big River (Young Fool). Love to Hurrah Players, G.S.A., F.S.U-MT, The 408, Kathi Lee, Emmy, and Family.
ADDISON REID COE (Tony) is honored to be a part of West Side Story. He recently appeared in Legally Blonde (Warner) at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. He would like to thank God, his mother, Kathy, family, friends, and his best friend and girlfriend, Mary. Enjoy the show!
MARK DELER (Shark Boy, u/s Bernardo), recent graduate in Dance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is overjoyed to make his National Tour debut with West Side Story! He thanks God, his friends, family, and most of all his Maee for their support.
MARYJOANNA GRISSO (Maria) is thrilled to be a part of West Side Story. Credits: DreamWorks Shrektacular (Gingy), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Urinetown (Hope Cladwell). BFA in vocal performance from West Virginia University. Thank you to Troika, Clemmons/Dewing Casting, my family, mentors and friends!
ERIKA HEBRON (Swing, u/s Graziella, u/s Anybodys) is thrilled to join the cast of West Side Story in her first National Tour. Former Miss Missouri whose recent credits include: The Will Rogers Follies, Crazy For You, and Damn Yankees. Proud dance performance graduate at OCU.
DAN HIGGINS (Diesel/Jet Boy, u/s Riff) 1st National Tour. Studied at Penn State University for Musical Theatre. Dance training for 18+ years in all genres, primarily at Center Stage in N.J. Has performed in various venues throughout NJ, PA and NY.
MATTHEW KROB (Glad Hand, u/s Officer Krupke, u/s Lt. Schrank) is thrilled to join his first national tour! Most recently he appeared as Max in Lend Me a Tenor. Other favorite roles include Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps and Ms. Roosevelt in The Bully (Off-Broadway).
THEO LENCICKI (Riff), a born West Sider from Scranton, PA, is thrilled to be leading the Jets in such an amazing production. National Tours: Hairspray, A Chorus Line, Young Frankenstein. Favorite Regional: WSS, Altar Boyz, Cabaret, Fiddler. PSU graduate. To family and friends, you’re the greatest!
GREG LONDON (Doc, u/s Officer Krupke, u/s Lt. Schrank). National tours: Hairspray (Edna), Fiddler on the Roof (Lazar), A Streetcar Named Desire (Mitch). International tours: Hairspray, The Fantastics. Off-Broadway: Spurn. Regional: Richard III (Richard), Macbeth (Macbeth), Greater Tuna (Thurston), Assassins (Czolgosz), Annie (Warbucks). Appeared with Stacy Keach in Richard III (Shakespeare Theatre, DC).
GUY MANDIA JR. (Action/Jet Boy) is currently studying Musical Theater and Dance at Temple University. Regional Credits: Buddy Holly (Walnut Street Theater), The Unexpected Guest and Funny Girl (Gretna Playhouse). Love to family, friends, teachers and mentors! For T.
THOMAS MOTHERSHED (Officer Krupke, u/s Glad Hand, u/s Lt. Schrank, u/s Doc) is thrilled to be a part of the West Side Story National Tour! Regional: My Fair Lady directed by Frank Galati, Over the Tavern, Sweet Charity, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and 1776. BFA from Florida State University. Love to my family.
LOUIE NAPOLEON (Swing) is beyond excited to be a part of this historic show! National Tour: CATS (Skimbleshanks), Cabaret (Dance Captain/Bobby). Regional: Irish Classical Theatre Co, Weathervane Rep (Rent - Regional Premiere), Gretna Theatre, New London Barn Playhouse. BFA: SUNY Buffalo. Love CWRNBNJNENEN.
THADDEUS PEARSON (Shark Boy, u/s Tony) is thrilled to have his touring debut in West Side Story understudying Tony. He thanks his cast, production staff, professors, friends and family, fiancée Katrina, and God for their wonderful blessings. BFA University of Florida, Go Gators!
JOSH PINS (Baby John/Jet Boy) National Tour debut! Regional: John Darling in Peter Pan (Paper Mill Playhouse), Tommy Djilas in The Music Man (Broward Stage Door), Baby John in West Side Story (Forestburgh Playhouse). Josh thanks his family for their constant love and support.
ANTHONY RAIMONDI (Swing) is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona. Since graduating, he has performed in several commercial and concert performances. He performed with the main
company of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and was a featured dancer on the Bad Romance National Tour.
J. NYCOLE RALPH (Consuela/Shark Girl, u/s Anita) Favorite credits: A Time to Love (National Black Theatre), In the Boom Boom Room (The 45th St. Theatre), Hairspray (The Fulton), Hair – Dionne, A Chorus Line – Sheila, Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Dayton Contemporary Dance, 2nd Company Norwegian Cruise Lines.
TORY RAMIREZ (Shark Boy, u/s Chino), a graduate of North East School of the Arts, San Antonio, TX, is currently a sophomore musical theater/dance major at Pace University, NYC. He appeared on NY stages at Joe’s Pub and Laurie Beechman Theater.
BRIDGET RILEY (Anybodys) Off Broadway: Freckleface Strawberry, Pinkalicious, The Scarlet Letter. National Tour: Seussical. Regional: Nine (Brugge, Belgium), Spelling Bee, Les Misérables, Producers, All Shook Up, Cabaret. Concerts: Carnegie Hall. Training: Jacob’s Pillow School for Dance, BFA Pace University. Love to my family.
RICARDO RIQUE-SANCHEZ (Pepe/Shark Boy) was born in Wasilla, AK and grew up in St. Louis, MO. He started dancing at 16 and moved to NYC after graduating from Stephens College in Columbia, MO with his B.F.A in Dance. He is extremely excited to be in this tour.
ARIANNA ROSARIO (Shark Girl) is a recent graduate of the New World School of the Arts BFA program. This is Arianna’s first National Tour, and she is extremely excited to become a part of the West Side Story family.
CAROLINA SANCHEZ (Rosalia/Shark Girl, u/s Maria) is currently a senior music theater major at Rider University and is thrilled to be performing in her first national tour. Previous credits: The Producers (Ulla), A New Brain (Mimi). Thank you Mariann Cook, Robin Lewis, and her family/friends for all their support.
MICHAEL SHULTZ (Big Deal/Jet Boy, u/s Tony, u/s Baby John) is honored to be part of this production. National Tours: Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka). Regional: Anything Goes, Hairspray, The Sound of Music. Mike proudly holds a BFA from Penn State University. Endless thanks to friends, family, MTX and Troika.
JEFF M. SMITH (Snowboy/Jet Boy, u/s Riff, u/s Tony) has always wanted to be a Jet! Regional Favorites: Damn Yankees (Oquinquit Playhouse), Man of La Mancha (ACCC), Cats (Gateway Playhouse). B.A. Texas Tech University. Big thanks to my dear friends and fantastic family for all their love and support.
TONY THOMAS (Shark Boy) Broadway debut with West Side Story! Credits: Dreams – Debbie Allen, Black Nativity – Mike Malone/Stephawn Stevens, Tony Fowell Music and Movement, Joyce Mosso, Christopher Huggins, and Edgeworks Dance Theater. Thank you family and friends…this is only the beginning.
JUAN TORRES-FALCON (Chino/Shark Boy) thrilled to be a part of WSS! A Cuban-American from Miami, FL, Juan graduated from NYU. His Credits Include: Chorus Line (Paul), Rent (Angel). Para mi Abuelo Andres y mis primeras damas: Georgina, Mariquita, Martha Rosa y Alina.
LAURA VOLPACCHIO (Swing). Recent credits include The Music Man, FAME the Musical (Iris Kelly), Gypsy of the Year and commercials for White House Black Market. Laura graduated with honors from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study.
Tickets for WEST SIDE STORY begin at $37.00 and are available at the Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-3373 or online at www.artistseriesjax.org. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (904) 632-3228 or emailing groupsales@fscj.edu. Performance schedule, prices and cast for WEST SIDE STORY are subject to change without notice.
Season ticket packages are currently available for the 2012-2013 Artist Series Broadway in Jacksonville Season, with four-show package prices starting at $121.50! The upcoming Broadway Season features three Jacksonville premieres – MARY POPPINS (January 22 - 27), BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL (February 26 - March 3), and ROCK OF AGES (April 2 - 7) - and the return engagement of acclaimed musical, WEST SIDE STORY (December 4 – 9). Season ticket prices vary depending on the show time, day of the week, and seating location.
To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call
The Artist Series Box Office at
(904) 442-BWAY (2929)
(toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY)
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stephendare
December 05, 2012, 09:36:13 AMWent to see the show last night.
Really really enjoyable experience. The orchestra was really a starring role in this production. Whoever put together the arrangements for the show is a genius. It might as well have been performed right out of the late fifties with a group of the most passionate musicians of the era. They really mastered the tonal intangibles of the score, and several times throughout the evening, you just had to stop for a second and listen to the delightful music.
Also the set and production elements were gorgeous and perfectly executed. The projections and fifties derived backgrounds were a visual masterpiece.
Maryjoanna Grisso as Maria was sublime. She was beautiful and charismatic onstage but when she sang, it was transformative. The upper register of her soprano was so sweet and perfectly formed that there were times, literally when you lost track of whether it was from a human being. Lovely show stopping moments with her rendition of very familiar songs.
Definitely worth seeing.