westsidestory

See Who’s Joining Ali Ewoldt, Matthew Hydzik, and Natalie Cortez in West Side Story Concerts
The Leonard Bernstein classic will be presented in March in California.

By Andrew Gans

The McCallum Theatre will present a concert production of West Side Story March 9 at 8 PM, March 10 at 2 PM and 8 PM, and March 11 at 2 PM and 7 PM in Palm Desert, California.

Produced and directed by Chad Hilligus, the concerts will feature a 40-piece orchestra conducted by Grammy winner Richard Kaufman.
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‘West Side Story’ Returns to Paper Mill Playhouse After 25 Years

By MICHAEL SOMMERS

Musicals come — and then most musicals go.

Yet a handful of them are so replete with passion and the human experience — so superbly conceived, structured, composed and choreographed — that they never lose their punch.

“West Side Story” falls easily into this category. A lyrical fusion of memorable songs, affecting story and dynamic choreography, the classic musical has returned to Paper Mill Playhouse after a 25-year hiatus. The current revival in Millburn is aptly timed: The theater is the state’s pre-eminent house for musicals, and it was just recognized with the 2016 Tony Award given to regional theaters.

The director Mark S. Hoebee, who is also Paper Mill’s producing artistic director, lovingly gives “West Side Story” a traditional staging that is performed very well by a talented company. His fine revival is driven by Alex Sanchez’s faithful replication of those famously high-flying dances created by Jerome Robbins, the original director-choreographer, who is credited with coming up with the idea for the 1957 musical.
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Natalie Cortez talks 'West Side Story' at Paper Mill

Alex Biese, @ABieseAPP

In the nearly 50 years since it first debuted on Broadway, “West Side Story” has earned a prominent place in the public consciousness. But still, Natalie Cortez knows the show better than most.

A Manhattan native who now calls West Orange home, Cortez appeared in both regional and Broadway productions of the Jerome Robbins/Arthur Laurents/Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim classic over the years.

This month, she’ll be reprising the role of Anita at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn for a production directed by Mark S. Hoebee and running through June 26. She recently discussed the role, the legendary show and more in a telephone interview.
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Get a First Look at West Side Story Starring Matt Doyle







Alex Sanchez will reproduce the original Jerome Robbins choreography for Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of West Side Story. Belinda Allyn and Matt Doyle will play the iconic star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony. Here, the cast runs through “Tonight,” “Cool” and “Dance at the Gym.” Performances run June 1-26 at the Millburn, NJ venue.

Leading the company are Matt Doyle as Tony,Belinda Allyn as Maria, Natalie Cortez as Anita, German Alexander as Bernardo and Mikey Winslow as Riff. West Side Story will run at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater from June 1 through June 26, 2016. The official press opening night is Sunday, June 5, 2016, at 7:00 pm.