North Shore Music Theatre to Stage WEST SIDE STORY This November

Bill Hanney's award winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) proudly presents the beloved musical classic, WEST SIDE STORY.

Shakespeare's immortal 'Romeo & Juliet' is transported to 20th century New York City, where two idealistic young lovers, with only their love in common, find themselves caught between warring street gangs. WEST SIDE STORY runs from Tuesday, November 1 thru Sunday November 20, 2016.

"With its hard hitting story of clashing cultures, it could not be more timely to conclude this record-breaking season with the classic American musical, West Side Story," said NSMT owner and producer Bill Hanney. "With its legendary score, iconic dance numbers, and passionate tale of star-crossed lovers, the musical will captivate today's audience the same way it did when it premiered on Broadway 60 years ago."

First presented on Broadway in 1957, WEST SIDE STORY was conceived, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. The show was originally nominated for seven Tony Awards and won for choreography and set design. The stage musical was subsequently turned into a film in 1960 which won ten Academy Awards and the musical has received two major Broadway revivals.

West Side Story is a true masterpiece that not only established the genius of composer Leonard Bernstein and director/choreographer Jerome Robbins, but also launched the career of lyricist (and future musical theater giant) Stephen Sondheim. The show's score, with songs such as "Tonight," "America," "Maria," "I Feel Pretty," and "Somewhere (There's A Place For Us)," has become a permanent part of our nation's musical heritage.

The cast of WEST SIDE STORY will feature Bronson Norris Murphy and Evy Ortiz as the star crossed lovers Tony and Maria. They will be joined Michelle Alves (Anita), Jane Abbott (Velma), Roberto Araujo (Pepe), Hannah Balagot (Anybodys), Bentley Black (Action, u/s A-Rab), Erik Joshua Clack (Snowboy), David Coffee (Doc), Rob Coughlan (Sergeant Krupke), Alexander Gil Cruz (Bernardo), Diego Guevara (Luis), Alex Hairston (Francesca), Lauren Langbaum (Rosalia), Tyler John Logan (Riff), Sarah Kay Marchetti (Graziella), Timothy McGarrigal (Big Deal), Christopher Morrissey (Diesel), PJ Palmer (A-Rab), Rachel Perlman (Teresita), Brian Padgett (Glad Hand), DJ Petrosino (Chino), Pedro Rangel (Nibbles), Tyler Roberts (Toro), Sydney Mei Ruf-Wong (Consuela), John Wojda (Lieutenant Schrank), and Josh Zacher (Baby John).

The creative team for WEST SIDE STORY is led by director Bob Richard and choreographer Diane Laurenson. The team also includes Milton Granger (Music Direction), Kyle Dixon (Scenic Design), Mark Nagle (Costume Coordination and Additional Costume Design), Jack Mehler (Lighting Design), Don Hanna (Sound Design), Gerard Kelly (Wig & Hair Design), Natalie A. Lynch (Production Stage Manager), Dakotah Wiley Horan (Assistant Stage Manager), and Robert L. Rucinski (Assistant Music Direction), with casting by Binder Casting. WEST SIDE STORY is produced for North Shore Music Theatre by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Producing Artistic Director), and Tom Amos (Associate Producer).

Tickets for WEST SIDE STORY are priced starting from $54 - $79. Performances are November 1 - November 20, 2016, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. Kids 18 and under save 50% at all evening performances. Students of any age save 50% on Friday, November 18 at 8pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA. WEST SIDE STORY is sponsored by Abiomed.

Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on November 8 after the 7:30 pm performance and November 12 after the 2 pm performance; OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc.) on November 10 after the 7:30 pm performance.

North Shore Music Theatre will continue the 2016 musical season with the 26th annual production of A Christmas Carol starring David Coffee (December 9 - 23).

Since 1955, NSMT has become one of the most attended theatres in New England, with approximately 250,000 patrons annually. With a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, NSMT has received numerous industry awards including Elliot Norton Awards, IRNE Awards, the Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors' Equity, and the Moss Hart Award. NSMT produced the World Premiere of Memphis in 2003, the show went on to win four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Under the new ownership of Bill Hanney in 2010, NSMT continues to annually produce a musical subscription series and an annual production of A Christmas Carol along with celebrity concerts and children's programming.

Pictured: Evy Ortiz (Maria) and Bronson Norris Murphy (Tony) in West Side Story. Photo by Steven Richard Photography.