(Editor’s note: This series of articles highlighting the main characters and other aspects of the musical will appear in future editions of The Daily Herald.)
The students of Tyrone Area High School are working hard for their upcoming musical production, “West Side Story”, which is scheduled for April 25-26 beginning at 7:30 p.m. both evenings in the high school auditorium.
“West Side Story” is a musical written by Arthur Laurents (book), Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics). The story is based loosely on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.
Set on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The young protagonist, Tony, who belongs to the white gang, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the rival Puerto Rican gang.
Bernstein’s score for the musical includes: “Something’s Coming”, “Maria”, “America,” “Somewhere,” “Tonight”, “Jet Song”, “I Feel Pretty”, “One Hand, One Heart” and “Cool”.
Senior Sofia Revolorio plays the character of Maria.
Her school activities include POPS Extension and Concert Choir.
Her previous stage experience includes participation in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “The Wiz”, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”, and she had her first lead role as Cinderella in “Into the Woods”.
“Rehearsal is demanding and challenging yet such an honor,” said Sofia. “We (the cast) have become so close and made great memories.”
Sofia would like to thank Mrs. Young for working so hard to achieve this year’s school musical.
“It is so much work, yet she keeps going so that we students can have a wonderful and memorable experience.”
She would also like to thank her parents for their support and her voice teacher, Janelle Parker.
“I would really like to extend a thank you to everyone who helped us fund this musical,” Sofia added. “We couldn’t have done it without you. It is going to be an amazing production.”
Sofia’s future plans include attending college, majoring in music education.
Tickets for “West Side Story” are now available at the main office or by calling 684-4240 ext. 3700.
