‘West Side Story’ tickets now available

Niswonger PAC information

The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of West Side Story is coming to northwest Ohio.  Presented by Nature’s Green, West Side Story will open at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Mother’s Day, May 11, with performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction is 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 tells the story of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria as they struggle to rise above the hatred and intolerance that surrounds them. West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever.

The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as “Maria,” “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.”

The Associated Press says West Side Story “remains Broadway’s best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout.”

Variety says, “The true stars of West Side Story are Jerome Robbins’ graceful, endlessly expressive choreography and Leonard Bernstein’s score, which still sounds bracingly modern a half-century after it was first heard. The music is a primal force.”

West Side Story is written by three theatrical luminaries, including two-time Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents (book) and multiple Tony and Grammy Award winners Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) in his Broadway debut.

West Side Story features scenic designs by James Youmans, costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard, lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley and sound design by Peter McBoyle.

Tickets range from $27-$52 and are available now by contacting the Niswonger Box Office by phone at 419.238.NPAC; online at www.npacvw.org; or in person at 10700 State Route 118 in Van Wert.

West Side Story is presented by Nature’s Green Landscaping, Greenhouse & Nursery of Fort Recovery. Supporting sponsors are Van Wert Manor, US Bank, The Hubbard Company, Adams Memorial Hospital, Adams Woodcrest, The Lima News, and Willow Bend Country Club.