After the fabulous Tri Cities High School performances of “A Raisin in the Sun” in February and they continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Visual and Performing Arts Magnet program (VPA) with the classic American musical, “West Side Story.” There are four nightly performances from March 25th, 26th, 29th & 30th at 7:30 p.m. with 2:30 p.m. matinees on Saturday, March 26th and Sunday, March 27th. Performances are in the Tri-Cities’ Viola Turner Auditorium, 2575 Harris Street in East Point, GA 30344. The production is open to the public. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. FREE, ample parking is available. For more details, call the Magnet Office at 404-669-8200, extension 150.
“West Side Story” transports the audience to the turbulent streets of New York’s Upper West Side in the 1950's as two naïve teenage lovers, Tony and Maria, find themselves caught between two rival street gangs, the "Jets" and the "Sharks.” The Tri-Cities production features the talents of 100+ students who join artistic, theatrical and musical forces to successfully present more than two hours of non-stop dramatic dialogue, stirring music, high-energy dance and great singing from the entire cast.
The five leading cast members of Tri-Cities’ West Side Story production are: Tony played by Jael Pettigrew and Jahmad Juluze; Maria played by Katelyn Johnson and Imani Straker;Riff played by Jonathan Bangs and Khiry Hunter-Wade; Bernardo played by Eeron Crawford and Devera Johnson, and Anita played by Jasmine Lewis and Rayquila Durham.
The musical score and dance routines of West Side Story are so demanding and complex that the leading cast members are double cast and band and orchestra members are working after school and on weekends to perfect the music. West Side Story is rarely undertaken by high school performers due to these artistic and musical demands.
Commenting on the challenge of preparing for this production, Tri-Cities VPA Dance Director Ms. Dawn Axam explains, “We started rehearsing the songs and learning the dance routines last November so that our production will be polished and professional.”
“The dancing and music of West Side Story make such an amazing marriage,” Axam adds. Axam serves as director and choreographer of the production.
VPA Magnet Director Tony Load holt reflects on the school’s accomplishments and explains, “As our 20th anniversary celebration continues, we are very excited to present West Side Story. The dancing is dynamic, the music is expressive and the storyline is moving."
“I know the audience will enjoy the performance and appreciate all the time and creative energy the students have put forth to produce such a challenging musical score and professional level production,” Loadholt adds.
About “West Side Story”:West Side Story first premiered on Broadway in New York in the mid-1950s. The musical has endured the test of time and endeared the hearts of many due to the compelling love story, which is conveyed through Leonard Bernstein’s passionate musical score, and the sensitive lyrics of Stephen Sondheim.
Editor’s note: Interviews and pictures of the cast and director are available. Call the TCHS Magnet Office at 404-669-8200, ext. 150 for interviews. Contact Sherrie Hauser-Simmons at 770-774-0039 for photos. The Visual & Performing Arts Magnet Program is located at 2575 Harris Street East Point, GA 30344. Dan A. Sims-principal, Jason Stamper –assistant principal and Tony Loadholt -VPA Magnet Director.
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