Orlando Shakespeare Theater Screens WEST SIDE STORY in the Park Tonight

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF invites Central Florida to its 4th Annual Free Movie Night in the Park tonight, May 7, 2016 at 8:30 p.m. Presented in association with the Enzian Theater, the free screening of the 10 time Academy Award-winning film WEST SIDE STORY is open to the public.

The Theater has also partnered with The Daily City Food Truck Bazaar to offer guests the opportunity to purchase dinner and dessert before the movie. The outdoor event will take place on the lawn of Loch Haven Park at the corner of Mills Avenue and Princeton Street. For further information call (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, visit www.orlandoshakes.org, or stop by in person at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 E. Rollins St.).

Orlando Shakes' Dinner and a Movie Night in the Park coincides with the Theater's upcoming production of West Side Story, opening September 2016. Adapted from the Broadway classic and inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the film stars Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris.

"We're are beyond thrilled to be able to give Central Florida a preview of the fantastic musical that will be performed on Orlando Shakes stage next fall," said Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. "West Side Story is the rare blend of romance, drama, and fun that makes for a perfect evening out."

Prior to the film screening, food will be available for purchase from several of Orlando's most popular food trucks starting at 6:30 p.m. Current food trucks scheduled include Carobama BBQ, SMAC Mac + Cheese, Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream, AJI (peruvian), Cilantro (burritos), VooDoo Kitchen, Phillys Best (philly cheesesteaks), Daydream Pizza, and Cousins Maine Lobster. Cash and credit cards accepted. The Daily City Food Truck Bazaar, the nation's original food truck tour, visits eleven Florida cities a month with six to twenty bazaar-approved food trucks. It was created in 2011 by Mark Baratelli and is the first event of its kind in the nation.

WEST SIDE STORY runs 152 minutes and is appropriate for children ages 13 and up.

Founded in 1989, Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF produces classic, contemporary, and children's plays and musicals. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert, Orlando Shakes has grown into one of the region's most acclaimed professional Equity theaters, garnering national recognition from The Wall Street Journal's Terry Teachout. "Hence the high quality of Orlando Shakespeare, a company that deserves to be far more widely known outside Florida." With ambitious, high-caliber productions like 2014's The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I & II or 2008's chilling Macbeth performed "in the round", the Theater continues to provide an innovative world-class theatrical experience to its guests, while showcasing William Shakespeare's legacy as the cornerstone of the company. Orlando Shakes also offers immersive educational programming that serves Central Florida schools and the local community at large. For more information visit www.orlandoshakes.org.

Pictured: Orlando Shakespeare Theater's 3rd Annual Free Movie Night. Photo by Landon St. Gordon.