Drew Foster News

For certain shows there's really nothing like a big, fully realized production complete with all the professional singers and dancers that only Broadway can provide. "West Side Story" is definitely one of those shows with its killer Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim songs and Jerome Robbins choreography; usually only professionals can cut it. And although the current touring production at the Paramount is lacking a bit of the heart and with one almost unforgivable technical gaff, it's definitely got the professionals to being it to life.

The tour of the Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to St. Louis. WEST SIDE STORY will open at The Fox Theatre on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

Multi-Tony award winning choreographer and director Jerome Robbins gives us a contemporary version of Arthur Laurents' classic book. Unfortunately, I did not care for several of Robbins' creative liberties.

The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to SAN JOSE. WEST SIDE STORY will open at the SAN JOSE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

WEST SIDE STORY is currently touring the country, and now stars Ross Lekites as Tony, Evy Ortiz as Maria, Michelle Aravena as Anita, Drew Foster as Riff and German Santiago as Bernardo. Also featured are Mike Boland as Schrank, Stephen DeRosa as Glad Hand, Jon Drake as Action, Wally Dunn as Krupke, Alexandra Frohlinger as Anybodys, Jay Garcia as Chino, Casey Garvin as Diesel, Nathan Keen as Big Deal, Harris Milgrim as Snowboy, John O'Creagh as Doc, Christopher Rice as Baby John, Clay Thomson as A-rab, along with Karolina Blonski, Alicia Charles, Lauryn Ciardullo, Dean Andre De Luna, Lori Ann Ferreri, Ryan Ghysels, Tim Hausmann, Nicole Hellman, Laura Irion, Thayne Jasperson, Gizel Jimenez, Eric Anthony Johnson, Patrick Ortiz, Kristen Paulicelli, Christie Portera, Waldemar Quinones-Villanueva, Alexandra Blake Redelico, Michael Scirrotto, Jeffrey C. Sousa, Dani Spieler, Jessica Swesey, Kathryn Lin Terza and Kirstin Tucker.

Casting has just been announced for the second year of the national tour of the smash-hit revival WEST SIDE STORY. Star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria will be played by Ross Lekites and Evy Ortiz, respectively. Drew Foster, the tour's original Action, now stars as Riff. Mike Boland, the tour's original Krupke, now stars as Schrank. The tour also welcomes Jon Drake as Action, Wally Dunn as Krupke, Casey Garvin as Diesel, Harris Milgrim as Snowboy, Christopher Rice as Baby John and Clay Thomson as A-rab. Laura Irion, Gizel Jimenez and Eric Anthony Johnson join as new ensemble members.

A near-perfect blend of story, lyrics, score and movement, the terrific 2009 Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY--now playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County through September 18--bursts forth with a kind of style and intelligence that arguably reiterates its place as one of the greatest musicals of all time. This stirring, energetic reboot--spearheaded by the late original book author Arthur Laurents--has been smartly touched up with an awareness of current sensibilities and a healthy dose of heightened reality. Do yourself a favor and see this important stage musical while it's still here.

With eight brilliantly observed and sharply told monologues by eight distinct and unforgettable characters, Eight is a dynamic and interactive theatre event that gives the audience the chance to choose their cast of six for each performance, before they even enter the theatre. The choice will be based on who they are, where they come from and, with the partnership of a number of innovative New Zealand fashion designers, what they are wearing:

With eight brilliantly observed and sharply told monologues by eight distinct and unforgettable characters, Eight is a dynamic and interactive theatre event that gives the audience the chance to choose their cast of six for each performance, before they even enter the theatre. The choice will be based on who they are, where they come from and, with the partnership of a number of innovative New Zealand fashion designers, what they are wearing:

With eight brilliantly observed and sharply told monologues by eight distinct and unforgettable characters, Eight is a dynamic and interactive theatre event that gives the audience the chance to choose their cast of six for each performance, before they even enter the theatre. The choice will be based on who they are, where they come from and, with the partnership of a number of innovative New Zealand fashion designers, what they are wearing:

Excitement pulses through The Colonial Theatre from the opening notes of the Prologue and song after classic song by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. With revamped book by Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins' choreography, the National Tour of the 2009 Broadway revival that ran for 748 performances settles into Boston for a four-week engagement.

Joe's Pub Announces its line up for the week of May 1 - May 6. MAY 1-6: LORI LIEBERMAN Sunday, May 1 at 7:30 PM Best known for the hit song, Killing Me Softly, Liebman's honest and heartfelt lyrics, coupled with her haunting, and beautiful melodies, cut through to the heart of the listener.

The Philadelphia Orchestra has added a fourth performance of Mozart's Requiem with Music Director Designate Yannick Nezet-Seguin on Sunday, January 9, 2011, at 2 PM in order to accommodate the overwhelming demand for tickets.

Following his triumphant appearances in October, Music Director Designate Yannick Nézet-Séguin returns to lead The Philadelphia Orchestra in four thrilling concerts featuring Debussy's Nocturnes and Mozart's Requiem for chorus, soloists, and orchestra (January 6-9, 2011).

WEST SIDE STORY will end its Los Angeles engagement on January 2nd, 2011.

New_York_Philharmonic_20010101 The New York Philharmonic will celebrate the 2010 holiday season with perennial favorites: the annual Holiday Brass concerts; Handel's Messiah, led by Bernard Labadie; and a nationally telecast All-Tchaikovsky New Year's Eve Concert, conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert and featuring pianist Lang Lang as soloist.

Following his triumphant appearances in October, Music Director Designate Yannick Nézet-Séguin returns to lead The Philadelphia Orchestra in four thrilling concerts featuring Debussy's Nocturnes and Mozart's Requiem for chorus, soloists, and orchestra (January 6-9, 2011).

The Philadelphia Orchestra has added a fourth performance of Mozart's Requiem with Music Director Designate Yannick Nezet-Seguin on Sunday, January 9, 2011, at 2 PM in order to accommodate the overwhelming demand for tickets.

New_York_Philharmonic_20010101 The New York Philharmonic will celebrate the 2010 holiday season with perennial favorites: the annual Holiday Brass concerts; Handel's Messiah, led by Bernard Labadie; and a nationally telecast All-Tchaikovsky New Year's Eve Concert, conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert and featuring pianist Lang Lang as soloist.

New_York_Philharmonic_20010101 The New York Philharmonic will celebrate the 2010 holiday season with perennial favorites: the annual Holiday Brass concerts; Handel's Messiah, led by Bernard Labadie; and a nationally telecast All-Tchaikovsky New Year's Eve Concert, conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert and featuring pianist Lang Lang as soloist.