The original production of West Side Story began in 1949 when director and choreographer Jerome Robbins approached composer Leonard Bernstein and playwright Arthur Laurents to collaborate on a modern interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. The initial concept (then titled East Side Story) centered on adapting Shakespeare’s classic into a musical set on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, with doomed lovers from feuding Irish Roman Catholic and Jewish families. The idea failed to mesh as the three men soon realized the central theme was already going out of style and they abandoned the project for the time. In 1955 Laurents, Bernstein and Robbins found themselves working together on a new project and decided to return their focus to East Side Story. They enlisted the help of the talented newcomer Stephen Sondheim, to write the lyrics for what was to become his Broadway debut.

The mid-1950s brought new trends of social unrest in the form of juvenile delinquency and street gangs that was widely covered by the media. These stories of gang violence and turf wars provided real-life drama that struck new inspiration for their project. Laurents turned his focus to the Puerto Rican community in Harlem, embracing the idea of a Latin-beat musical. The project was then renamed West Side Story and the ethnic backgrounds of the characters were changed to Polish Irish-American and Puerto Rican.

Their modern interpretation, along with previous commitments to other productions, posed challenges for the creative team and caused numerous interruptions to the development process. In addition to struggles within their creative collaboration, finding a producer proved difficult. The show’s themes of bigotry, violence and prejudice were feared to be too dark and depressing for any real success. After every potential backer turned down the project, Sondheim approached his good friend Harold Prince, who after hearing Sondheim and Bernstein at the piano playing through the music, took on the project with Robert Griffiths. Another challenge came with creating the dialog for the characters. In the early 1950s profanity and slang were seldom used in professional theatre, making the script difficult to draft. The language of West Side Story relied heavily on emphasizing street gangs, prompting the use of slang - but current slang expressions were avoided for fear they would be dated by the time the show opened. To create believable characters with language that would remain current, Laurents created made-up words and wrote specific dialog as lyrics to sound like street speak.

Rehearsals began in New York City in 1957, where gang violence continued to make the headlines. The actors portraying the Jets and the Sharks were shown articles and police reports and intentionally kept separated to encourage on-stage tensions. The pre-Broadway run opened at the National Theatre in Washington D.C. in August, where it was met with strong critical praise. The production then moved to the Erlanger Theatre in Philadelphia for a two week run before finally returning to New York. West Side Story opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 26, 1957. The original show ran for a total of 732 performances before going on tour, returning in 1960 for 253 additional performances. The musical was hailed for its innovations in dance, music and theatrical style. Seeing it as being a major accomplishment in modern theatre, Time Magazine declared West Side Story a “milestone.” The original production was nominated for six Tony Awards in 1958 and won the awards for Best Choreography and Best Scenic Design.

In 1958, West Side Story made its European premiere in London’s West End and ran until 1961 for a total of 1,039 performances. There have since been three Broadway Revivals, the first in 1964, again in 1980 and in 2009 the third revival opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre, this time with the Puerto Rican gang members singing in Spanish. The show has repeatedly been nominated for and won numerous Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards and Grammy Awards among many others over the years. A successful film adaptation was released in 1961, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and starring Natalie Wood as Maria and Richard Beymer as Tony. The film West Side Story won ten out of eleven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Since its inception, West Side Story has been produced numerous times around the globe, for national and international tours and regional and community theatres and it continues to stand as one of the greatest musicals ever created.

The Ogunquit Playhouse has brought together a magnificent creative team to create an all new production of this timeless classic. Broadway veteran director BT McNicholl, Broadway showman and choreographer Jeffry Denman and accomplished set designer Michael Schweikardt have created a show exclusively for our stage. The Ogunquit Playhouse is the proud recipient of a Great Works grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

CARLY EVAN HUGHES (Maria) is thrilled to a part of this beautiful show! She recently graduated from Penn State University receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre. Previous credits include: DOUBT (Sister James), The Last 5 Years (Cathy Hiatt), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), Beehive: The 60's Musical (Principal) and Into the Woods (Cinderella). Thanks to her family, Squad '13, Avalon Artists and Rob! carlyevanhughes.net

ROSS LEKITES (Tony) National Tours: West Side Story 1st National (Tony), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Joseph), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Vocalist). Regional: Good News! (Tom Marlowe) Goodspeed Opera House, Joseph...Dreamcoat (TOTS), The Full Monty (WVPT), Jesus Christ Superstar, South Pacific. Earlier this summer he worked with Patrick Vaccariello as a vocalist in the Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival. He can be seen this winter at Radio City Music Hall performing with the Rockettes. Love to Mandy and Family. www.RossLekites.com

KEVIN MUNHALL (Riff) Happy to spend September in Maine! Broadway/New York: Anything Goes (Roundabout), Sound of Music (Carnegie Hall), Bells Are Ringing (Encores). Regional: Kansas City Starlight, Walnut Street, Music Theatre of Wichita, Tuacahn Center for the Arts. Television: “Smash,” “One Life To Live.” Thanks to my friends and family, my boys at The Talent House, and Jeffry and BT for fulfilling my longtime dream of doing this marvelous show. Graduate of The University of Michigan--go blue! “O Keep squeezing drops of the Sun/From your prayers and work and music/And from your companions' beautiful laughter/And from the most insignificant movements/Of your own holy body./Now, sweet one,/Be wise./Cast all your votes for Dancing!” --Hafiz

GABRIELLE RUIZ (Anita) Ogunquit Debut! Broadway: Evita, In the Heights (Carla/Nina, Vanessa u/s). Few Faves: SkippyJon Jones (Rosalita, Off-Bway), A Chorus Line (Diana, 1st Nat’l/Papermill), The Broadway Dolls (Herself, NYMF et al), My One and Only (Edythe Herbert, Goodspeed) High School Musical (Gabriella, Lyric Theatre) Make Mine Manhattan (Girl 1, Off-Off Bway), Fame Forever (Vanessa), Music Theatre of Wichita, Alpine Theatre Project, Transcendence Theatre Company, Speakeasy Moderne. TV: Law & Order SVU, Sesame Street, One Life to Live. Film: BQE (Maria). From South Texas, OCU BFA, AEA. 2 Corinthians 9:15. More at www.garielleruiz.net, @ImGabrielleRuiz. Other gig: Healthy Happiness with Gabrielle @HHwGabrielle. Endless gratitude and love to my family & KSR. This performance is for my Music Theatre of Wichita family; thank you Wayne, for giving me my first shot!

MANUEL STARK (Bernardo) is ecstatic to be in Maine and to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut! Broadway: West Side Story at the Palace Theatre (Indio/Chino; Bernardo u/s). Off Broadway: Venice at the Public Theater. Encores!: Applause and It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman at City Center. NYMF: Rio at the St. Clements Theatre (Pantera). Regional: A Chorus Line at Paper Mill Playhouse (Paul); Aladdin at the 5th Avenue Theatre (Prince Abdullah); Seussical at Maine State Music Theatre (Cat in the Hat); Beauty and the Beast at Maine State Music Theatre (Wisk); Cats at Theatre Under The Stars (Coricopat). Enjoy!

SAL BUCCI (Moose) Ogunquit Debut!! Pittsburgh native, proud Penn State University BFA Musical Theatre graduate Class of 2013. Regional credits with Pittsburgh CLO, The Fulton Theatre, and Penn State Centre Stage. Shout outs to Eddie, my fam, and Squad '13! Proud member of Actors Equity.

CHLOE CAMPBELL (Consuelo) Chloe hails from London, England. While in London she performed in the West End in Mary Poppins, Desperately Seeking Susan, Shoes and On The Town. She also was a top 12 finalist in the UK’s first season of SYTYCD. Since moving to NYC she has performed in the National Tour of In The Heights and most recently in On The Town at Barrington Stage Co. She’s extremely excited to perform her first production of West Side Story and thanks goes out to her loving family, Kyle and her continued faith in God.

LAUREN CANNON (Graziella) For the past year Lauren has been playing the role of Graziella on the National Tour of West Side Story and is thrilled to play it again at Ogunquit Playhouse this Fall! Lauren can also be seen working for New York City Dance Alliance assisting the faculty in their 24 city tour. She would like to thank her friends, team at DDO Artists Agency, and unbelievably supportive family. Couldn’t do it without you!

NATALIE CARUNCHO (Francisca) is thrilled to be a part of this production of West Side Story. She just got off the road with the First National Tour of Flashdance (Dance Captain, u/s Alex Owens, Kiki). Other Credits: A Chorus Line (Diana Morales), In the Heights (Ensemble u/s Nina, Vanessa, Carla), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), The Bluest Water (Young Lizzy). Thank you to my family. And all my love to my beau and the bean.

JACE CORONADO (Toro) is a native Texan who is proud and exhilarated to be a part of this production. He has spent the last two years of his career as a Free-Lance Performing Artist. He has performed leading roles for various companies such as Neos Dance Theatre, New England Dance Theatre, Notara Dance Theatre, Gleich Dances, Thomas/Ortiz Dance, Northeast Youth Ballet, Roxey Ballet, West Side Story National Tour, and Guys and Dolls National Tour. He has also been working as a Master Teacher and Choreographer for various schools and companies in the New England area. He moved to New York City to make his Broadway Debut in West Side Story where he played the role of Tio for over a year. Before his moved to the Big Apple, he worked as a soloist with Ballet Memphis (Memphis, TN), Opera Memphis (Memphis, TN), Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (NYC), Ballet Master and Soloist for the Roxey Ballet (NJ), Ballet Austin (Austin, TX), and Principal Dancer of the Lone Star Ballet (Amarillo, TX). He holds a B.F.A. in Dance and Vocal Performance from West Texas A&M University and studied at the School of American Ballet. He would like to dedicate this and every performance to God and his family, and friends.

MICHAEL PETER DEEB (Snowboy) – is so happy to be a Jet! Last seen in Ogunquit’s production of Young Frankenstein earlier this season, he is thrilled to be back! Favorite credits include National Tours of A Chorus Line (Mike), and Young Frankenstein (Ensemble/Swing). Regional: Young Frankenstein (Gateway Playhouse), A Chorus Line (Mike; New Bedford Festival Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Northern Stage), Joseph… and Beauty and the Beast (Artpark), and Celebrity Cruises. A proud Buffalo, NY native and graduate of the University at Buffalo, he holds a BFA in Dance. Love and thanks to the production team, family, friends, MSA, and Eric! For Gramma.

SEAN EWING (Pepe) Sean is thrilled to be playing Pepe after last performing the role in the Broadway Revival! So excited to be making his Ogunquit debut in West Side Story. Previous credits include: New York: COMPANY at the NY Philharmonic with Patti Lupone and Neil Patrick Harris, Fanny (Charlie) Encores! City Center. NY Workshops: One For my Baby, Maxies (Directed by Maurice Hines). Regional: Camelot (TUTS), Contact (NSMT,ASOLO Rep,Virginia Stage) Bye Bye Birdie (NSMT), High School Musical (Papermill Playhouse). Love to friends and family especially to his Mom and Dad for their continuous support and Love.

DARYL GETMAN (Velma) is thrilled to be back on the Ogunquit stage with West Side Story! She recently assistant directed the new musical The Christmas Rose at Carnegie Hall with director Brad Kinney. Currently working on the new musical Cold as Ice and Buttons for PBS. Performance credits include: 1st National tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Broadway Bound Trip of Love, The Music Man and Damn Yankees (Ogunquit Playhouse), Singin’ in the Rain (Goodspeed), Joseph (MUNY), Gigi in Gigi, Thoroughly Modern Millie (LA), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Pasadena Civic), La Boheme (Placido Domingo, LA Opera). NYU –Tisch graduate.

CARLOS GONZALEZ (Nibbles) was born and raised in Cuba but is currently living in NYC. He feels honored to make his West Side Story debut in such an amazing theater. After graduating from Montclair State University with a BFA in Acting and Dance, Carlos has toured with the National Tours of In The Heights and Zorro The Musical (Asia Tour). In addition, he has performed in numerous professional productions, TV shows and cruises. Now he is in the current cast of the Off-Broadway show Fuerza Bruta and will rejoin the cast after this production. Thank you to family and friends for their support. www.carlosegonzalez.com

GREG LONDON (Doc/Gladhand) So very happy to make his Ogunquit debut and to work with his amazing friend Music Director Ken Clifton again! National tours: West Side Story (Doc), Hairspray (Edna Turnblad), Fiddler on the Roof (Lazar), A Streetcar Named Desire (Mitch). International tours: Hairspray, The Fantastics. Off-Broadway: Spurn. Regional: Richard III (Richard), Macbeth (Macbeth), Greater Tuna (Thurston), Assassins (Czolgosz), Annie (Warbucks). Greg was the 2006 recipient of the Eugene O'Neill Award for Dramatic Writing. Love to my family, Robin, and my inspiration Schuyler.

ASHLEY MARINELLI (Minnie/Margerita) Ashley is ecstatic to be performing one of her favorite shows of all time: West Side Story! Off Broadway: Petrouchka (The Ballerina), The Klezmer Nutcracker (Dreydl Princess), and Puck'd. Other Credits: Disney Cruise Line, Superstarz Live!, and performances with Justin Beiber, Mariah Carey, Ne-Yo and Lady Sovereign. Graduate of NYU/Tisch (B.F.A. in Dance, B.A. in English Lit).Thanks to her incredibly supportive family, Ginnie, Joe and Jeffry Denman! www.ashleymarinelli.com

BRYAN CHARLES MOORE (Indio) Bryan Charles Moore is thrilled to be making his debut at Ogunquit Playhouse. Originally from St. Paul, MN, Moore began his career at the Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company, performing in the regional premier of Disney's High School Musical (Ensemble) and the world premier of Fashion 47 (Francesca). Moore is a recent graduate of Saint Mary's University in Winona, MN, performing in A Chorus Line (Mike), the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee), and Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson).

ADAM PAGDON (Lt. Schrank) Resident of Brooklyn, is delighted to be making his Ogunquit debut. RECENT; J.P. Morgan in Tesla off-Broadway (Theatre 80). SELECTED; head puppeteer for The Pee Wee Herman Show on Broadway (Henry Miller Theatre), Things We Make (The Culture Project), Family of Strangers and Want & Need (Roy Arias Theatre). TELEVISION; Crank Yankers (Comedy Central), Gaspard & Lisa (Disney Jr.), Redrum and Mysteries of the Museum (Investigation Discovery), Lazytown (Nick Jr.), Ass like That (Eminem video), and puppet wrangling live Muppet appearances including, Martha Stewart, Regis & Kathy, the Today show. FILM; Bunraku, Little Lion, Exophelia, Brother’s, Drifter. M.F.A. in Theatre Design from UNC-Greensboro.

LIZZ PICINI (Clarice) is thrilled to be performing in West Side Story at Ogunquit Playhouse! With a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Towson University, she has been actively training and teaching at Broadway Dance Center while assisting various choreographers. Lizz recently had the honor of dancing with the Spangles Dance Company in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and was selected to perform in the opening number of this year’s Broadway Cares Easter Bonnet Competition. Endless love and thanks to God, her incredible family (especially Dad, Mom, Allie and Jo), BDC and her remarkable friends. I love you all so very much.

MICHAEL THOMAS PUGLIESE (Diesel) Michael is thrilled to jump back into the Musical Theatre world in this production of West Side Story. Most recently he was at sea with Norwegian Cruise Lines dancing on the Norwegian Sun as well as the Norwegian Jewel. Other previous credits include Rent, Les Miserables and The Wedding Singer. He’d like to thank the production team and cast for their hard work and his family and friends for their support!

DREW PULVER (Officer Krupke) After an extensive European career that included Max von Mayerling in Sunset Boulevard in Frankfurt, the dual leads of Valjean & Javert in the German production of Les Miserables and Porthos, one of the title roles in the world premiere of the George Stiles’ The Three Musketeers, Drew Pulver’s recent American engagements include Captain von Trapp in Sound of Music, Walter Hobbs in the 1st National Tour of Elf, Discovery ID’s Deadly Sins, Joe Boyd 2012 Damn Yankees National Tour & Tony in The Most Happy Fella in Boston. This Fall, Drew will portray Tevye at the Human Race Theater in Ohio.

ANTHONY RAIMONDI (A-rab) is a born and raised New Yorker from Brooklyn. Favorite Credits: West Side Story National Tour (Swing and Dance Captain), Giordano Dance Chicago, and the Bad Romance Show. Anthony has been a featured dancer in a number of different commercial venues across the United States including fashion shows, commercials and music videos. Anthony grew up training at Horizons Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance. Anthony would like to thank his family for their love and support and is looking forward to performing at the Ogunquit Playhouse. www.anthony-raimondi.com

ALEXANDRA REDELICO (Anybodys) This is Alexandra’s first time at Ogunquit and she is so happy to be experiencing this show in a new way with such a beautiful community of artists. She grew up in NJ studying dance at Mill Ballet School and later at the Boston Conservatory. Shortly after her journey to NYC, she booked the International Tour of West Side Story and traveled the world performing her favorite show. Lucky for her West Side must have been in her cards, and she was asked to join the 1st National Tour after returning to NYC. This will be her first time performing the role of Anybody’s, and she couldn’t be more excited. Thank you familia y mi luna!

SARAH ROLLESTON (Rosalia) is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit debut! National tours include Beauty and the Beast (Belle U/S performed) and The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy U/S). Regional credits include: Legally Blonde (Pilar/Serena), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), Hello Dolly, Smokey Joe's Café, and more. Sarah recently returned from South Korea with the international debut of the award winning new musical, Sunfish. Sarah has also been seen in national and international commercials and print ads for Aquafresh and Coca-Cola. For more go to www.sarahrolleston.com. Thanks to Meg Pantera, and love to Mom, Dad, Jordan, and Mark.

PARKER SLAYBAUGH (Baby John) is elated to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut! Previous credits include Oliver! (National Tour), How To Succeed in Business without Really Trying (Orlando Philharmonic), Mr. Mistoffelees in Cats (Cortland Repertory Theatre), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Chicago/Detroit), Georg in Spring Awakening (UCF), Peachy in The Last Night of Ballyhoo (UCF). Television: ABC's Disney Parks Christmas Parade (Newsie). Choreography: Side Show (UCF). Personal choreographic works on YouTube @PSlay514. BFA in Musical Theatre and Dance Minor at UCF.

JEFF M. SMITH (Big Deal) has always wanted to be a in a gang! He was born and raised in West Texas and graduated from Texas Tech University. (B.A. in Music, Minor in Theatre) Jeff recently wrapped up touring the nation with West Side Story as Snowboy u/s Tony/Riff. Some Regional favorites include: Cats (Gateway Playhouse), Damn Yankees (Ogunquit Playhouse), Man of La Mancha (The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina). A big thanks to Cyd & Harold, his family & friends for their unfailing support, and to Ogunquit Playhouse for having him in this wonderful production!

JUAN TORRES-FALCON (Chino) was born at 11 pounds and is a Cuban-American from Miami, FL. Juan is elated to be making his debut with the Ogunquit Playhouse after performing the role of Chino on the national tour of West Side Story. Favorite Credits Include: A Chorus Line (Paul), Rent (Angel). Juan is a proud graduate of NYU. He would like to thank his family for their undying support and enthusiasm. As always, for his mother Alina. www.juantorres-falcon.com Twitter: @JuanTF

MIKEY WINSLOW (Action) is thrilled to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut. B’way: West Side Story (Big Deal); American Idiot (Swing). Nat’l Tour: Wicked (Boq u/s). Regional: PCLO, TUTS, NCT. Many thanks to his friends and family and his wife Jenny for always believing in him. Also thanks to Jeffry Denman for giving him the chance to play Action. Last but not least thank you to the TKO team for having his back. “East to the Avenue - West to the Drive - South to the parkin’ lot - And North to the Five and Ten!” Jets for life…

ARTHUR LAURENTS (Book) His first play, Home of the Brave, opened on Broadway in 1945, followed by many others. His newest plays are A Key Change and Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You Are, starring Shirley Knight and Alison Fraser. These came right on the heels of his New Year’s Eve starring Marlo Thomas and Keith Carradine at his favorite theatre, the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. He wrote his first musical, West Side Story, in 1957, followed by Gypsy and others. His first screenplay was The Snake Pit in 1948, followed by others including Rope, Anastasia, The Way We Were and The Turning Point. His own play, Invitation to a March in 1960, was the first of several he directed. I Can Get It for You Wholesale in 1961 was the first musical he directed, followed by others including La Cage aux Folles and Gypsy with Angela Lansbury, then Tyne Daly and most recently, Patti LuPone. In 2000, he wrote a memoir, Original Story By. His latest book, Mainly on Directing: West Side Story, Gypsy, and Other Musicals, was published in March 2009. His posthumous memoir The Rest of the Story is currently slated for publication in 2012.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN (Music) (1918–1990). Composer, conductor, author, teacher and recording artist, Bernstein transformed the way Americans and people everywhere hear and appreciate music. A few of his many compositions include the symphonies Jeremiah and The Age of Anxiety, the theatre piece Mass, Chichester Psalms, Divertimento, the film score for On the Waterfront, the ballets Fancy Free and Facsimile and the operas Trouble in Tahiti and A Quiet Place. He was music director of the New York Philharmonic from 1958 to 1969 and, over his lifetime, conducted many of the major orchestras of the world. His Broadway musicals include Wonderful Town, Candide, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and the immensely popular West Side Story.

STEPHEN SONDHEIM (Lyrics) wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, The Frogs, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park With George, Into the Woods, Assassins, Passion and Road Show as well as lyrics for West Side Story, Gypsy, Do I Hear a Waltz? and additional lyrics for Candide. Side by Side by Sondheim, Marry Me a Little, You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow, Putting It Together and Sondheim on Sondheim are anthologies of his work as composer and lyricist. For films, he composed the score of Stavisky, background music for Reds and songs for Dick Tracy and the television production “Evening Primrose.” He co-authored the film The Last of Sheila and the play Getting Away With Murder. Mr. Sondheim is on the council of the Dramatists Guild, having served as its president from 1973 to 1981.

BT MCNICHOLL (Director) staged the Broadway-bound premiere of Europe’s hit play The Gronholm Method (nominated for Best Production in L.A.). Broadway: directed for the Roundabout Theater Co. and worked with Mike Nichols, David Hare, Stephen Daldry, Sam Mendes, Jerry Zaks, James Lapine and Rob Marshall on a dozen Tony-winning shows including Cabaret, Passion, Spamalot and Billy Elliot. Hollywood: acting coach on Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock’s Oscar-nominated Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Development Consultant for MGM's theatrical division. International: Winning the Australian “Tony” for Best Direction, he staged record-setting productions in Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam, Seoul, and Sydney, including new works for Disney/Feld and the European premiere of The Producers for Mel Brooks. Producing: Sunday in the Park with George: In Concert on Broadway with Bernadette Peters & Mandy Patinkin. Regional: Working with Stephen Sondheim, he adapted/directed A Little Night Music for the concert stage and directed for Goodspeed (Best Musical 2004), Walnut Street (Kleban Award), and the O'Neill Theatre Center. Off-Broadway: A BMI Award-winning songwriter, he was author/lyricist for The IT Girl and also directed Kristin Chenoweth in Billion Dollar Baby. Upcoming: the musical version of The Blue Angel and becoming Producing Artistic Director of the Stamford Center for the Arts. Delighted to return to Ogunquit!

JEFFRY DENMAN (Choreography/Musical Staging) At Ogunquit Playhouse: Damn Yankees: The Red Sox Version (Director/Choreographer), The Music Man (Choreographer - Moss Hart Award) and as a performer: Bobby in Crazy for You and Sir Robin in Spamalot. Off Broadway: YANK! (Choreographer and Performer - Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominations), Naked Boys Singing (Choreographer) Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice (Choreography/Musical Staging - NYMF) and the choreography for two plays, Assistance (Playwright's Horizons) and Bullet For Adolf (New World Stages). Regional: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Director/Choreographer - Tuacahn Center of the Arts), Dancing in the Dark (Choreographer, Studio Arena Theatre - Artie Award), The Fantastiks (Kavinoky Theatre), Strike Up the Band (Musicalfare Theatre) Sugar Babies (Lancaster Opera House). Other NYC credits: directed and choreographed over a dozen installments of the acclaimed Broadway by the Year concerts at Town Hall for the past 10 years as well as All Singin' All Dancin'. Choreography for Stage Door Canteen and Jerome Kern Coast to Coast (Lyrics and Lyricists, 92nd Street Y). As a performer he starred on Broadway in the original company of Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Astaire Award nominee), the final company of Cats and opposite Nathan Lane in The Producers as Matthew Broderick's understudy. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book, A Year with The Producers.

KEN CLIFTON (Musical Director) returns to his eighth season here in Ogunquit as music director/conductor. He has such successes here as Sunset Blvd with Stefanie Powers, Damn Yankees with Carson Kressley, like seven shows with Sally Struthers including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chicago, Hello Dolly, Fiddler, Monty and 9 to 5. He spends winters at the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, FL. Some of his other favorite shows he's done are Les Miz, Miss Saigon, Music Man, South Pacific, The Producers and La Cage. He has vocal coached Jennifer Hudson, Molly Ringwold and dozens of other brilliant people you don't know. He has taught at NYU, written two musicals and four children's musicals, stuff for the Disney Cruise Line and Tokyo Disney...but would rather have his hands in the dirt in his garden.

MICHAEL SCHWEIKARDT (Set Designer) maintains a successful career as a set designer for opera and theater companies across the country. Off-Broadway productions include: Bloodsong of Love (Ars Nova); ReWrite (Urban Stages); The Black Suits (The Public Theater); The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks (Theatreworks USA); Things to Ruin (Second Stage, The Zipper Factory). Regional Credits include productions at The Old Globe; Cleveland Playhouse; Pittsburgh Public Theatre; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Asolo Repertory Theatre; Maltz Jupiter Theatre; Syracuse Stage and Multiple productions at Goodspeed Musicals including Carousel, Showboat, Annie Get Your Gun, 1776, Big River, Camelot. Tours: ELLA a musical about jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald; Motherhood the Musical and James Taylor’s One Man Band. Other productions: Oklahoma! Starring Kelli O’Hara and Will Chase celebrating The Oklahoma State centennial and the American Premieres of Frank Guinness’ Gates of Gold and The Bird Sanctuary. www.msportfolio.com

RICHARD LATTA (Lighting Designer) has called Ogunquit his summer home for many years and is just as excited about the upcoming season as the ones before. Favorite designs include: 9 to 5, Miss Saigon, Legally Blonde, Summer of Love, Evita (twice) Les Miserables, Songs For a New World, Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, Aida, Chicago, Annie, and Monty Python's Spamalot. In addition, Richard has designed Off-Broadway, dance, opera, and other events since the 1980s. His visual research can be seen in the projections for the Broadway productions of Thurgood (starring James Earl Jones/Lawrence Fishburne), The People In The Picture, The Mark Taper Forum production of Distracted, the operas Moby Dick (Sydney, Dallas, SF Operas) and Mazeppa (Met Opera). Richard is a teaching artist with American Ballet Theater and is a Technical and Design consultant for Arts High School in Newark, NJ. He is based in NY/NJ during the times he is not at the Playhouse.

DUSTIN CROSS (Costume Designer) is a New York based designer who has been designing on and off Broadway and regionally for the last 10 years. His designs have received accolades such as “...Spot on Perfect” by Artes Magazine and “Excellent!” by The New York Times as well as other nods from many different publications. Credits include: Broadway: The 24 Hour Plays; Off Broadway: HIM (Cherry Lane Theater), Cougar the Musical (St Lukes), The Other Josh Cohen (SOHO Playhouse, Lortel Nom. Best Musical), Zelda at the Oasis (St Lukes) SILENCE! The Musical (Associate Designer), The Last Smoker in America (Westside Theater); Regional Theater: The Christmas Rose (starring Jane Seymour/ Brad Kenney dir/Carnegie Hall), as well as others. Dustin continues to focus on maintaining the expectation his work commands while always trying to raise the bar by using different techniques and approaches to create a durable yet distinct design. Enjoy!

JEREMY OLEKSA (Sound Designer) is extremely excited to return to the Ogunquit Playhouse for his 5th season. His show credits include: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Man of La Mancha, Damn Yankees, Spamalot, Sunset Boulevard, Chicago, Sound of Music, Music Man, Miss Saigon, Buddy, South Pacific, and 9 to 5. On his most recent production, he was the Engineer on the National Tour of Spamalot. Jeremy would like to thank all his friends and family for their continued support, especially his wife Becky Oleksa.

RYAN NEELY (Production Manager) is thrilled to join the team at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Previously Ryan was the Producing Director at THEATREWORKS in Colorado Springs, Adjunct Professor of Stage Management at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and the Assistant Production Manager at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Ryan has also worked as Stage Manager for many theaters across the country including the Disneyland Resort. Ryan received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California Irvine. Ryan would like to thank his wife for all her love and support.

GEOF DOLAN (Technical Director) is in his 7th season as the Playhouse's Technical Director and his 2nd as the overall Scenic Coordinator. Immediately prior to Ogunquit he served as Technical Director for Worcester Foothills Theatre. He has done supplemental design work for several shows and is also the technical supervisor for the Children's Theatre program. Geof began his technical career working backstage for both of his parents who are theatre directors and began his professional career at Sierra repertory Theatre in California. For 5 years he split his seasons between Maine and Florida, working the same technical areas for the Orlando Shakespeare, but now he fills his off-season drafting, engineering and developing tour trollies for Molly Corp. With his wife Cheryl, (Scenic Charge Artist for the Playhouse) he has designed award winning parade floats. His "born-in-a-trunk" 12 yr. old daughter Ashlynn is an aspiring actress, musician and artist who hopes to make her Main Stage debut in the near future!

LEAH MUNSEY-KONOPS (Hair and Makeup Design) is a Chicago based freelance artist. Prior credits include Measure for Measure, A Christmas Carol, and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Goodman Theater, stitcher/wigs), The Madness of King George III (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, wigs), and White Noise (Royal George Theater, wardrobe). Additionally, she worked as Wig Supervisor on the national tour of South Pacific, for which she styled the Nellie wig at least 235 times. This is Ms. Munsey's second season with the Ogunquit Playhouse, where previously she designed South Pacific, Damn Yankees, 9 to 5, and Buddy. She sends love to the Third Coast, and to her mentors and family, chosen and real.

NIKKI LINT (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back at the Ogunquit Playhouse after successful runs of 9 to 5 and Young Frankenstein. Stage management credits include Young Frankenstein, Grease, Cats, My Fair Lady, 9 to 5 (Gateway Playhouse); Doubt, Music Man, Academy, Jolson at the Wintergarden, Joseph…, Red (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Rock Odyssey (Adrienne Arsht Center), Reverie (Second City), War, Scenes From the Big Picture (Seanachai), Forbidden Broadway, and American Girl Theatre, among others. Nikki was a Production Assistant on the 1st National Tour of Mary Poppins, and is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. Proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

MICHAEL J. IANNELLI (Assistant Stage Manager) is pleased to join this incredible cast and crew and his friend Nikki in Ogunquit's production of West Side Story! Earlier this summer Michael had the pleasure of acting as the Production Stage Manager of the Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven, NJ. Recent credits include Les Miserables, George M! and Sleuth (Surflight Theatre), Doubt: A Parable (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), The Sound of Music and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (TriArts Sharon Playhouse). Michael will be travelling back to the Maltz for three more shows in the winter. He thanks his incredibly supportive family and friends and his wonderful girlfriend for their support and love.

TREY COMPTON (Assistant Director and Fight Choreographer) Thrilled to be back in Ogunquit, Trey assisted on Jeffry Denman’s production of Damn Yankees last summer. Most recently, Trey assisted and staged the fights for Crossing Swords at NYMF. Most notably as an assistant director, Off-Broadway credits include Yank! (and fight choreography) and White's Lies. Directing credits include both City of Angels and the New York premiere of Christopher Durang’s Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge for The Gallery Players, Parade at The University of Pennsylvania, Drood at Georgetown University, A Funny Thing…Forum, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, Speed-The-Plow, Company, John and Jen, Joseph and the… and The Last Five Years. As a fight director, Trey has staged fights Off-Broadway and in regional theaters all over the country. Upcoming, he is assisting Twelve Angry Men at The Engeman Theater. Tremendous thanks to Jeffry and BT. Love to Lara. treycomptononline.com

JAYME MCDANIEL (Associate Producer) Jayme is excited about his 3rd season as Associate Producer with Ogunquit Playhouse. His history with the Playhouse commenced in 2001 when he appeared in 42nd Street, then in 2009 he directed and choreographed Singin' in the Rain and received an IRNE nomination for his efforts. Previously he acted as the Associate Artistic Director at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, MN where he had the fortunate opportunity to produce and direct several highly acclaimed and commercially successful productions. As a Stage Director he directed/choreographed Joseph… at North Shore Music Theatre, Singin’ in the Rain, Grey Gardens, Yankee Doodle and The Rocky Horror Show at the Ordway; The Student Prince at Paper Mill Playhouse; Zorba & H.M.S. Pinafore for the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Violet, Candide & Drood with Connecticut Repertory; It’s a Fabulous Life, Chicago, Zombie Prom, The Merry Widow, People Like Us, They’re Playing Our Song and many others. As an Associate Director and/or Choreographer: Laughing Room Only (Broadway), White Christmas, Wonderful Town, Sound of Music (5th Ave Theatre), Yankee Doodle Dandy (5th Ave), Dallas Summer Musicals (Theatre of the Stars) Camelot and Rags (Paper Mill), Nefertiti (Parker Playhouse), Crazy for You (Musical Theatre West) and The Music Man (CLOSBC). He most recently made his international choreography debut with Rebecca: the Musical in Seoul, Korea. He’s also enjoyed a career on the stage as well, most notably in the final national tour of Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing. In 2007 the Minneapolis Star Tribune lauded him as the Outstanding Director of a Musical.

BRADFORD T. KENNEY (Executive Artistic Director) is a New England based artistic director, producer, stage director and artist. Since he joined the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2005, the Playhouse has doubled its audience growing from a single season summer stock theatre into one of the Northeast’s pre-eminent regional theatres with a three season performance schedule. During his stewardship, the Playhouse has garnered a number of awards and honors including the Moss Hart Award, Regional Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in the American Theatre from the New England Theatre Conference, multiple IRNE award nominations and a number of BroadwayWorld awards including Best Musical and others. Mr. Kenney is also noted for his work at Carnegie Hall including directing the holiday special, The Christmas Rose starring Jane Seymour and producing An American Christmas Carol with Tim Janis also at Carnegie Hall. In New England, Mr. Kenney is proud to have been associated with a number of different theatre companies. Ogunquit highlights include Damn Yankees starring Carson Kressley, Sunset Blvd starring Stefanie Powers, Charles Shaughnessy and Rachel York in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Jefferson Mays in My Fair Lady, Lorenzo Lamas in The King and I, Rue McClanahan in Crazy for You, Sally Struthers in Hello, Dolly! and Andrea McArdle in Cabaret. He was also formerly the Artistic Director of the Foothills Theatre and Wachusett Theatre Companies in Massachusetts. He is a fourth generation plein air landscape artist, having studied with Beth Ellis, Rhode Island School of Design, Heartwood College of Art, and Maine College of Art. His artwork is represented by the Beth Ellis Gallery, Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, Maine.

MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI) is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting schools as well as amateur and professional theatres from around the world the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these shows to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 60,000 theatrical organizations in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide.

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org

Timeless Classic West Side Story Opens at the Ogunquit Playhouse

For Immediate Release:

August 28, 2013

West Side Story, one of the greatest love stories of all time, opens on the Ogunquit Playhouse stage September 4 through September 28. This all new production of the timeless classic, helmed by Broadway veteran director BT McNicholl, mesmerizes audiences of all ages from the first note to the final breath. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features beloved American musical theatre classics including “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.” With a set designed exclusively for the Ogunquit Playhouse by Michael Schweikardt, an extraordinary cast and an iconic score soaring throughout, theatre goers will fall in love with West Side Story all over again.

West Side Story tells the tragic love story between lead characters Maria, portrayed by Carly Evan Hughes and Tony, played by Ross Lekites, each from different neighborhoods in New York City. The strength of their love cannot overcome the hatred between warring street gangs the Sharks and the Jets. Ross Lekites is reprising his role as Tony from the first national tour of West Side Story and Carly Evan Hughes is making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut as Maria. Riff, the leader of the Jets, is played by Broadway’s Kevin Munhall who recently appeared on Broadway in Anything Goes, Bells Are Ringing and Sound of Music at Carnegie Hall, as well as in many regional theaters throughout the U.S. He has also appeared in the television shows Smash and One Life to Live.

Manuel Stark joins the cast as Bernardo after playing several roles in the recent Broadway revival of West Side Story. He has appeared Off Broadway, as well as in many regional theatres around the country including Paper Mill Playhouse, the 5th Avenue Theatre and Maine State Music Theatre. Gabrielle Ruiz plays Anita. She recently appeared on Broadway in Evita and In the Heights, as well as the first national tour of A Chorus Line and many regional theatres throughout the country. She has appeared on television in Law & Order SVU, Sesame Street and One Life to Live.

Director for the Ogunquit production is Broadway veteran BT McNicholl, who recently staged the Broadway-bound premiere of Europe’s hit play The Gronholm Method. On Broadway he has directed for the Roundabout Theater Company and has worked with Mike Nichols, David Hare, Stephen Daldry, Sam Mendes, Jerry Zaks, James Lapine and Rob Marshall on a dozen Tony-winning shows including Cabaret, Passion, Spamalot and Billy Elliot. He has worked in Hollywood as an acting coach for the Oscar-nominated film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, and as development consultant for MGM's theatrical division. In addition, he won the Australian “Tony” for Best Direction, has staged new works for Disney/Feld Entertainment and for the European premiere of The Producers for Mel Brooks. Mr. McNicholl produced Sunday in the Park with George: In Concert on Broadway with Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin. Working with Stephen Sondheim, he adapted and directed A Little Night Music for the concert stage. His Off-Broadway credits include author and lyricist for the musical The IT Girl and director for Billion Dollar Baby with Kristin Chenoweth. Over the past several years Mr. McNicholl has directed Cabaret, La Cage aux Folles and Fiddler on the Roof for the Ogunquit Playhouse.

West Side Story is choreographed by Broadway showman Jeffry Denman, who was last seen at the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2012 as the director and choreographer for Damn Yankees: The Boston Red Sox Version. In 2011, he choreographed The Music Man, which was honored with the Moss Hart Award by the New England Theatre Conference. In 2007, he performed on the Ogunquit stage as Bobby Child in Crazy for You and in 2010 he played Sir Robin in Spamalot. Mr. Denman’s Off-Broadway credits include YANK! for which he was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award and was named a Joe A. Callaway Award Finalist as Best Choreographer. Mr. Denman has been the director and choreographer of over a dozen installments of the hugely successful Broadway by the Year concerts at the Town Hall in New York City, as well as A Tribute to Lerner & Loewe, All Singin’ - All Dancin,’ and Broadway Unplugged. As a performer, Mr. Denman has appeared on Broadway in the original productions of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Producers and the final cast of Cats.

Ken Clifton returns to Ogunquit for his eighth season as music director and conductor for West Side Story. At the Playhouse he has worked as musical director for Sunset Blvd with Stefanie Powers, Damn Yankees with Carson Kressley, numerous shows with Sally Struthers including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chicago, Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty and 9 to 5 the Musical, as well as the highly successful and critically acclaimed productions of South Pacific, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables and the award winning The Music Man. He has worked as a vocal coach for Jennifer Hudson, Molly Ringwald and dozens of others.

Michael Schweikardt designed an all new set for the Ogunquit production of West Side Story. He has worked as a set designer for opera and theater companies across the country including the Cleveland Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Syracuse Stage and multiple productions at Goodspeed Musicals including Carousel, Showboat, Annie Get Your Gun, 1776, Big River and Camelot.

Tickets are on sale now for the all new production of West Side Story on stage September 4 through 28. Single ticket prices range from $39 to $78 per show. For tickets call the Box Office at 207-646-5511 or purchase online at OgunquitPlayhouse.org. Following West Side Story, Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story returns by popular demand to close the season from October 2 to October 20!

Tensions rise between rival gangs the Jets (white) and the Sharks (Puerto Rican) as they struggle for control of the streets of New York City. In order to assert their dominance, Jets leader Riff plans to set up a rumble with the Sharks. He convinces a reluctant Tony, friend and former member, to join them, though Tony dreams of a better future away from gang life.

Everyone convenes at the neighborhood dance and its love at first sight for Tony and Maria, who has recently arrived from Puerto Rico and is soon to be wed to Chino, a member of the Sharks. They dance, fall in love, and try to kiss but Maria’s brother (and leader of the Sharks) Bernardo pulls her away. Later that night, Tony serenades Maria on the fire escape of her building and the two profess their love for one another. The Jets and the Sharks meet on neutral ground at Doc’s, a drugstore, and the leaders agree to no weapons at the fight.

The next day, Maria learns of the rumble and begs Tony to stop it, to which he agrees. However, when he arrives, the fight has already begun. When he tries to intervene, Bernardo pushes him down. Riff punches Bernardo in Tony’s defense and they both draw switchblades. Riff has an opportunity to stab Bernardo, but Tony holds him back. Riff returns to the fight but is accidentally stabbed and killed by Bernardo in the process. In a fit of rage, Tony grabs Riff’s knife and kills Bernardo. Sirens approach and the gangs disperse. Tony stands over Riff and Bernardo until hopeful tomboy Anybodys tells him to flee the scene.

Blissfully unaware of what has happened, Maria daydreams about Tony on the rooftop until Chino brings her the news. Tony arrives to see Maria and she is outraged, but she still loves him and they plan to run away together. Though Bernardo’s girlfriend Anita is angry with Tony, she finally realizes Maria loves him as much as she loved Bernardo and she reveals to them that Chino has a gun and is looking for Tony.

The police arrive to question Maria about her brother’s death. Anita races to Doc’s to tell Tony to wait for Maria, and instead finds the Jets who begin taunting and attacking her. After Doc arrives and stops them, a furious Anita spitefully delivers the wrong message, telling them that Chino has shot Maria dead. Learning the news of his beloved’s death, Tony begs Chino to kill him, too. Just as Tony sees Maria alive, Chino pulls the trigger. An enraged Maria grabs the gun but is unable to bring herself to fire it. She tells everyone that they all killed Tony because of their hate for each other. Gradually, all the members of both gangs assemble on either side of Tony's body, showing that the feud is over. The Jets and Sharks form a procession, and together they carry Tony away, with Maria the last in the procession.