Young Artists of America at Strathmore to Present WEST SIDE STORY + ROMEO ET JULIETTE, 3/8

On March 8, 2015 Young Artists of America at Strathmore presents West Side Story + Roméo et Juliette at the Music Center at Strathmore.Young Artists of America at Strathmore will collaborate with Strathmore education partner, the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, for this semi-staged performance, directed by Rick Davis (George Mason University).

Three gifted, young singers, Alex Stone (Tony), Adalia Jimenez (Anita) and Hailey Giddings (Maria) highlight the performance. Stone, a McLean High School student, was a 2015 national finalist for YoungArts and recently nominated as a 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Jimenez, of Blake High School in Maryland, frequently sings the national anthem for Washington Nationals games and has been featured in the Washington Post for her scholarly achievements. Finally, Giddings of Good Counsel High School in Maryland, a relative newcomer to the stage, has been called 'a beautifully sweet soprano' and a 'tremendous acting talent' by DC Metro Theatre Arts. "These three kids will blow everyone's socks off," says Artistic Director, Rolando Sanz. "They are among the best high school singers in the region currently."

In this unique production, the two love stories are juxtaposed between modern-day Verona and New York City, resulting in fresh retelling of two classics. The single performance will feature music from Bernstein's West Side Story sung in English and Gounod's Romeo et Juliette in French. Various professional guest artists will mentor the more than 125 students involved in the production, including stage director, Rick Davis (George Mason University), choreographers Luis R. Torres (Washington Ballet) and Sara Malinowski (Loiederman Arts Magnet School), and acclaimed fight director Robb Hunter. The students will also be joined on stage by two guest opera singers of national renown: Tenor Marco Cammarota (Glimmerglass Opera) and Soprano Melissa Wimbish (1st place, NATS National Competition).

For tickets ($28-$42) or for more information about this performance, visit http://www.youngartistsamerica.org/events/performances/west-side-story-romeo-a-juliette.