North Bay Stage Company to Present WEST SIDE STORY

"West Side Story" productions has been re-imagined in several different ways over the years but North Bay Stage Company, a resident theatre company of Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, plans on sticking to tradition.

"It's a classic retelling," said NBSC's Artistic Director John DeGaetano. North Bay Stage Company's production of the modern musical take on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is set to open July 17th 2015. This show will be the first production of the musical in the area in more than six years. The production will feature more than 30 Bay Area actors, backed by a live orchestra; along with what DeGaetano calls "stunning" dance numbers.

Book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the musical is based on a dance-conception by Jerome Robbins. Hailed by critics as one of the major achievements in mid-century theatrical history, the musical is set in New York City in the 1950s, deals with rival gangs: the Jets and the Sharks. Tony and Maria, with ties to opposite sides of the conflict, fall in love and must deal with the fallout from their family and friends.

The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre. "It's timely, because it deals with bigotry and bias and some of the same things that we experience today," DeGaetano said. "What happens when you let bias, rage and these sort of issues get out of control? The production is for the most part, family-friendly, and we hope it will spark some conversation." Bernstein's score for the musical includes "Something's Coming", "Maria", "America", "Somewhere", "Tonight", "Jet Song", "I Feel Pretty", "and One Hand, One Heart" among others.

North Bay Stage Company upcoming plans are to present Unbound, RISK Dance - Breaking Boundaries thru Dance, Jan 30th through Feb 1st, Angel of Chatham Square opening March 30th, Witness for the Prosecution in May and West Side Story in July. Tickets: for all shows can be purchased online at wellsfargocenterarts.org, by phone at 707-546-3600 and at WFCA box office - open 7 days, noon to 6pm.