WEST SIDE STORY Producer, Cast Members to Attend LA Phil Screening

West Side Story producer Walter Mirisch, along with original cast members George Chakiris ("Bernardo") and Russ Tamblyn ("Riff"), as well as more than a dozen performers who played the "Jets" and "Sharks," will attend Friday evening presentation of the iconic film with live orchestra, at the Hollywood Bowl, Friday, July 8, at 8 p.m. The film will also be shown Saturday, July 9, at 8 p.m.

West Side Story won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Chakiris).

Presented by MGM HD, the newly re-mastered West Side Story will be shown in high definition on the Bowl's big screens in honor of the film's 50th anniversary, and accompanied live by the Los Angeles Philharmonic playing Leonard Bernstein's electrifying score and memorable songs with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

The classic romantic tragedy West Side Story, one of the greatest achievements in the history of movie musicals, features choreography by Jerome Robbins, a book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and music by Leonard Bernstein. Set in New York City in the mid 1950's, West Side Story explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, and the ill-fated romance between Tony, a member of the Jets, and Maria, sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre and film. Bernstein's iconic score for the musical includes the enduring classics "Something's Coming," "Maria," "America," "Somewhere," "Tonight," "Jet Song," "I Feel Pretty," "A Boy Like That," "One Hand, One Heart," "Gee, Officer Krupke" and "Cool."

For more information and complete artist biographies, please visit: www.hollywoodbowl.com.