Boston, MA-NH (1888PressRelease)
October 08, 2007 - The Boston Conservatory Theater Ensemble presents a 50th anniversary production of West Side Story, Leonard Bernstein's masterpiece, Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, 2007, at The Boston Conservatory Mainstage Theater, 31 Hemenway St. Boston. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 general admission, $10 for senior citizens and $5 for all students with valid ID. Box Office: (617) 912-9222.
West Side Story, perhaps the most famous and beloved musical in the American canon, is still as vibrant and daring as is was when it premiered in 1957. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is a tragic love story of gang warfare and racial tension that still has currency today. Book by Arthur Laurents. Music by Leonard Bernstein. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
Jamie Bernstein Thomas, daughter of Leonard Bernstein, will provide a special pre-curtain talk on Saturday, October 27 at 12:30 p.m. in the Boston Conservatory’s Seully Hall, 8 The Fenway, Boston. She will share “the ultimate insider’s view” and discuss the original production process, history and modern day relevance of West Side Story, which has been part of her life since age five, and which she describes as the "fourth sibling" in the Bernstein family. "I love seeing West Side Story performed by young artists, the way it was intended. I know my father would be gratified to see this continuation of his work." In her talk, Bernstein Thomas will also share letters exchanged by her parents during the creation process and details about the rejections West Side Story originally received from almost every producer in New York.
Bernstein Thomas’s connection to The Boston Conservatory comes from her father’s working relationship with Boston Conservatory President Richard Ortner. The two men worked together at Tanglewood from 1974 up until Bernstein’s death in 1990. Following Bernstein’s death, Ortner arranged for musicians from around the globe to perform at the public funeral, held at St. John the Divine and attended by approximately 10,000 people.
The Boston Conservatory's production will be directed by Neil Donohoe, Director of the Theater Division, and native of the Merrimack Valley (Lowell), as was Bernstein, who was born in Lawrence. Donohoe promises a dark and gritty tragic tale. Musical Direction by Bill Casey. Conducted by Reuben Reynolds III. Reconstruction of the original Jerome Robbins choreography by Stephen Reed and Michelle Chassé. Juniors John Bamberry and Ashleigh Davidson (daughter of television personality John Davidson) star as Tony and Maria.
The Boston Conservatory trains exceptional young performing artists for careers that enrich and transform the human experience. Known for its intimate and supportive multi-disciplinary environment, The Boston Conservatory offers fully accredited graduate and undergraduate programs in Music, Dance, Theater and Music Education, and presents more than 200 performances each year by students, faculty and guest artists. Since its founding in 1867, The Boston Conservatory has shared its talent and creativity with the city of Boston, the region, and the nation, and continues to grow today as a vibrant community of artists and educators. For more information, visit www.bostonconservatory.edu.
NOTE: Advance credentials are required for attendance at Jamie Bernstein Thomas’s pre-curtain talk. Contact Joyce Linehan at (617) 282-2510 x1 or at joyce ( @ ) ashmontmedia dot com dot
Note: Digital images will be available by request closer to production date.
