'West Side Story' planned at MPAC

MORRISTOWN — The Mayo Performing Arts Center's fifth annual spring musical will be West Side Story.
Auditions will take place Wednesday, Feb. 15 and Thursday, Feb. 16 from 4-9 p.m. at the Theatre for principal roles and ensembles. Auditions for dancers will be Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 4-5 p.m. Details on casting and auditions can be found at http://www.mayoarts.org/education/musical.
MPAC is looking for talented young and diverse performers between 14-23. They should be excellent singers, actors and dancers.
The show will be directed by Cathy Roy. Musical Director is Charles Santoro. The show will be staged Friday, June 2 until Sunday, June 4.
"We see so much talent at MPAC and they are definitely ready to take on the challenge of West Side Story," Ms. Roy said. "We are looking forward to putting together an amazing cast and giving them a true professional experience they will never forget."
The story of Romeo and Juliet is transported to the turbulent streets of New York City in the 1950s as star-crossed lovers are caught between rival street gangs. West Side Story originally opened on Broadway in 1957. The original musical featured music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins.
"Although West Side Story originally premiered in 1957, its theme still resonates today," Roy added. "We are hoping by telling this powerful story that we can remind our audiences about the hope and power of love in a time of divide and tension in our society."
Previously, MPAC has produced Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2013), Hairspray (2014), Les Miserables (2015) and Mary Poppins (2016).