The Paramount Theatre Presents WEST SIDE STORY Stories 6/7

Seattle Theatre Group and Showtunes present WEST SIDE STORY Stories - Memories of Lenny by Martin Charnin on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 7:30pm in The Paramount Theatre lobby.

This free event includes Martin Charnin's (one of the original Jets) personal reminiscences of Leonard Bernstein, and features a never-before heard reading of a 1987 conversation recorded at the Dramatist Guild in New York between Bernstein, Sondheim, Lawrence and Robbins, with Seattle actors portraying the four giants. Bernstein songs performed by a SHOWTUNES cast member will round out the event. This free event is part of the Seattle Celebrates Bernstein Festival. To learn more, visit www.seattlecelebratesbernstein.org.

Martin Charnin, who has been involved in the creation of over 125 plays and musicals, is best known for creating, directing and writing the lyrics to "Annie." He began his theatrical career as an actor in the original company of "West Side Story."

The "West Side Story" experience had a profound and lasting influence on Mr. Charnin. He will reminisce about those indelible moments with Robbins, Laurents, Sondheim, and particularly Leonard Bernstein, recalling those early rehearsal days, and his 1000 performance tenure as a Jet.

No Bernstein memories can be called to mind without some actual singing, and Charnin will have his wife, the Broadway star Shelly Burch performing several songs from "West Side Story." There is a rumor that Charnin himself will try to remember "Gee Officer Krupke" and croak out a note or two (He introduced the song in 1957).

Recreating the 1987 conversation will be Charnin, Mark Rabe, David Koch, and Victor Pappas. Maggie Stenson Pehrson, SHOWTUNES Executive Director, will serve as moderator of this unique segment.

A question and answer period will follow this 60 minute event where Mr. Charnin will reveal as much as he can, except his age. Be there! There will never be a "West Side Story" experience like this again!

Martin Charnin is now the Artistic Director of SHOWTUNES which will make its Seattle debut on June 5 and 6, 2010, at The Moore Theatre, with Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's "Follies." For more information and to purchase tickets click here. On September 25 and 26 SHOWTUNES will revive Irving Berlin's "Call Me Madam." SHOWTUNES produces in association with Seattle Theatre Group and Broadway Across America.

About STG
STG is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

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