PCPA Theaterfest Presents
West Side Story
A milestone in musical-drama history

West Side Story
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
July 9 – 25, 2010 – Marian Theatre – July 30 – August 22, 2010 – Solvang Festival Theatre

West Side Story is a triumphant legend where love transcends language, time, and place. While Manhattan’s west side rumbles with the clash of Jets and Sharks, Maria and Tony seek “a somewhere” their romance can thrive. In their revolutionary work that changed the course of the American musical, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents bring their award-winning genius to the immortal story of star-crossed lovers caught in a turf war of rival ethnic gangs.

West Side Story features guest artists Mindy Lym and Zachary Ford as Maria and Tony, George Walker as Bernardo, Kevin Kiler as Riff, Sarah Girard as Anita, and Billy Breed as Doc. PCPA’s production is directed and choreographed by resident artist Michael Jenkinson with musical direction by Callum Morris, scenic design by DeAnne Kennedy, costume design by Jim Tanner, lighting design by Jen “Z” Zornow, and sound design by Matt Carpenter. Production stage manager is Christine Collins.

While our most vivid memories of West Side Story are related to the film version, director Michael Jenkinson noted that Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins originally conceived the piece in an abstract locale. Jenkinson said, “The setting should feel urban, New York like, without New York specifics, because so much of the play is explored through explosive dance and movement.”

This landmark musical bravely addressed dark social issues, while introducing sophisticated music and extended dance scenes. It’s now seen as a major turning point which gave the musical a new and broader definition. The Grammy-winning score includes “Something’s Coming,” “Maria,” “America,” “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty,” “Jet Song,” and “Cool.”

The original production of 1957 was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins and was Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway debut. Bernstein later told Rolling Stone, “Everyone told us that West Side Story was an impossible project.” He referred to the difficult score and death scene at the end of the first act. Casting also proved difficult. They needed actors who were great dancers and, had to look like teenagers. Even the cast recording was a hurdle. Columbia Records declined citing its unlikely commercial success with such a difficult and depressing score.

Despite the challenges of bringing the work to the stage, the show’s out-of-town tryout in Washington D.C. was a critical success; a success which would follow it to Broadway. Walter Kerr wrote in the New York Tribune, “The radioactive fallout from West Side Story must still be descending on Broadway this morning. Director, choreographer, and idea-man Jerome Robbins has put together, and then blasted apart, the most savage, restless, electrifying dance patterns we've been exposed to in a dozen seasons.” Most other reviews noted the likely influence West Side Story would generate. Comments like: “a venturesome forward step.” “A Super-Modern Musical Drama.” “A bold new kind of musical theatre.” “An artful blend of music, dance and plot.” “Fascinatingly tricky and melodically beguiling.” “A milestone in musical-drama history.”

Also playing this summer… Curtains, Sylvia, Songs for a New World, and the world premiere of Invierno. Visit www.pcpa.org for photos, multi-media, calendars, and more.

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The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) of Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California supports a unique, fully-accredited vocational training program for aspiring actors and theatre technicians. PCPA is the only training program of its kind offered by a community college in the United States.