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Black Press

Many stage and screen productions have been inspired by ShakespeareB次元官网网址檚 Romeo and Juliet.

And of all the attempts to reframe the story of star-crossed lovers up against the pressure of gang rivalry and questioned loyalties, West Side Story remains one of the most significant, more than 50 years after Jerome Robbins conceived it, brought it to Broadway and changed the face of musical theatre in North America.

With its complex story of ethnic gang tensions, social inequality and above all, love B次元官网网址� on top of its award-winning music, stunning choreography, and set decoration B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a tricky theatre project to take on, says Heather Burns, director of education and programming at the Canadian College of Performing Arts.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very challenging piece and you have to have all of the right players to make that work, from your creative team, your cast, the orchestra. ItB次元官网网址檚 just really demanding in every corner of it,B次元官网网址� says Burns, who is also musical director for the CCPA version of the show, running April 19-27 at the McPherson Playhouse.

For those not familiar with West Side Story, itB次元官网网址檚 the story of Jets gang member Tony, who falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of bitter rival gang the Sharks, and the intense goings-on around them that make their relationship almost impossible.

ItB次元官网网址檚 the first time CCPA students will perform the full version of this iconic musical theatre piece. While admitting they have their work cut out for them given the subject matter, Burns is confident the current group can do the story, the music and the staging justice.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e quite a strong class, artistically B次元官网网址� dancers, singers, actors B次元官网网址� and they also bring a sense of cultural diversity to the program that we havenB次元官网网址檛 seen,B次元官网网址� she says, noting the group includes 11 international students. B次元官网网址淚 felt if we were going to do this piece, this was a company that could bring the talent to the table to be able to execute it.B次元官网网址�

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Director Matthew Howe, a CCPA staffer since 2007 whoB次元官网网址檚 taught and directed at various levels around Victoria and the U.S., from high school to community theatre, is also excited about the opportunity to do West Side Story with this talented collection of 58 performers and crew.

He says they have responded well to the rigorous demands put on them and continually ask eloquent questions about how best to honour the story and characters, both of which are very specific to a certain area and ethnic groups.

But Howe resists the urge to pigeonhole the story.

B次元官网网址淚n some ways itB次元官网网址檚 a mistake to say West Side Story is about racism, itB次元官网网址檚 deeper than that,B次元官网网址� he says.

Asked to elaborate, he explains. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about how the power of love, in a positive and maybe even a negative way, can make you choose to do things that are wonderful and correct, but can also blind you to whatB次元官网网址檚 going on around you B次元官网网址� the power of family, and the whole concept of losing oneB次元官网网址檚 sense of purpose as a person, because of the things that happen around you and what other people are telling you that you need to be.B次元官网网址�

ThereB次元官网网址檚 great life lessons in here for the students, he adds.

Sara-Jeanne Hosie, who has created original choreography for the show, inspired by RobbinsB次元官网网址� original work, says the hope is audiences will also take home lessons from this version of a classic tale.

B次元官网网址淸ItB次元官网网址檚] good to do theatre that hopefully can reflect something back to the audience, that they will do more than just go, B次元官网网址榦h, what a lovely show,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� she says.

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Howe agrees.

B次元官网网址淲e said that in rehearsal, that we donB次元官网网址檛 want them to leave and say, B次元官网网址榦h it was so nice to hear that again,B次元官网网址� we want them to leave and talk about what the play is about,B次元官网网址� he says.

The assistance and guidance from Mercedes B谩tiz-Ben茅t from VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Puente Theatre has been a huge help for making sure the cultural representations are appropriate in the CCPA version of this classic piece of musical theatre, Burns adds.

B次元官网网址淚 feel like we can do the show with integrity and respect,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚 think we can honour the difficult nature of the show with the talent that we have B次元官网网址� the team is strong, the direction is strong, the choreography is strong B次元官网网址� I think the audience will see a beautiful end product.B次元官网网址�

Tickets are available at the Royal and McPherson box offices, by calling 250-386-6121, or online at . Discount vouchers are available in person at the college, 1701 Elgin Rd.