based on a conception of Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents
music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
directed by Itzel Blancas

Known for its iconic score and classic story, West Side Story remains one of musical theater’s most popular works. Stephen Sondheim’s famous Broadway debut follows a turf war between two rival gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, the Jets & the Sharks. Set in 1950’s Upper West Side of New York City, this musical take on Romeo and Juliet follows the story of Tony falling in love with Maria—but tensions between their two communities ultimately lead to tragedy for the two young lovers.

 

Jurrell Lewis (Tony) is a third-year in the College double majoring in Fundamentals: Issues & Texts and Visual Arts. Previously Jurrell has acted in Godspell (All Good Things) and Cabaret (Bobby).

Sayri Suarez (Maria) is a fourth-year in the College studying Computer Science. She has previously been in Buried in Bughouse Square (Clown, "The Innocent") and Godspell (Ensemble, Day by Day). Sayri is also a member of the Chicago Raas dance team.

Jordan Ginsburg (Anita) is a third-year in the College majoring in Political Science and Comparative Human Development. This is her first UT show, but in the past she has performed in shows like Hello, Dolly (Minnie Fay), Grease (Sandy) and Guys and Dolls (Cuban singer)

Emma Almon (Pauline) is a fourth-year in the College majoring in Public Policy with a minor in Human Rights. This is her first acting credit at the University of Chicago, though she's collaborated with TAPS as a member of the Maya and RBIM dance groups.

Andrew Mao (Indio) is a third-year in the ​College studying TAPS and Statistics. Previous acting credits include The Monkey King (Erlang), Yuusha (The Warrior), Mostellaria (Callidamates), Mowgli’s Adventure (Buffalo), Winter’s Thaw (Winter’s Herald), Magnifique: A Murder! - The Mystery: The Dinner: The Play (Maître), What a Wild Party (Black), Iron Bridal Feast (Agamemnon), The Sandman’s Wake (Dream), Oz (The Huntsman), and The Clouds (The Clouds). Andrew served as a curator for the inaugural Kitchen Sync under Jane Beachy during his first year, and has since directed, choreographed and/or acted in thirteen shows with University Theater, Classical Entertainment Society, Le Vorris & Vox Circus, Redmoon Theater, and the Goodman Theatre, where he assistant directed A Christmas Carol under Henry Wishcamper.

Adam Schwartz (Doc, Krupke) is a second year in the College majoring in Physics. Previous acting experience includes ensemble roles in Other Voices Theater's Avenue Q and Brentwood School's Bat Boy as well as being a one year member in the Brentwood Theater Company.

Larkin Smith (Graziella) is a first-year majoring in Fundamentals and Human Rights. She has previously worked on Urinetown (Soupy Sue) and Hamlet (Assistant Props Designer). You can also see her perform in the co-ed a cappella group The Ransom Notes.

Eric Kirkes (Bernardo) is a third-year in the college majoring in Music with an emphasis in Musicology. Previous production credits with University Theater include Godspell (Disciple), A Little Star Quality (Ché), Closer (Props Manager), A Weekend of Workshops (Director, Assistant Production Manager), By the Bog of Cats (Father Willow), and other independent works. Eric recently served a term as a University Theater Committee Member, and is now the Publicity Manager for TAPS Student Staff.

Monica Brown (Assistant Choreographer) is a first-year in the college majoring in English. This is her first show with UT; she has previously worked as a choreographer and dance captain for high school productions of The Wizard of Oz and High School Musical.

Alexander Daibes (A-Rab) is a first-year in the College majoring in Comparative Literature. Previous acting credits include Translations (Manus), The Pajama Game (Gennaro / Dance Captain), and Tracers (Doc).

Margaret Lazarovits (Consuela) is a second-year Physics major and TAPS minor in the College. Previous UT credits include Miss Julie (Assistant Director) and Macbeth (Assistant Director). She was also involved in the theater repertory company On the Verge last summer for their 2015 season as a director, stage manager, assistant director, actor and senior social media intern.

Gavin Pak (Chino) is a third-year majoring in TAPS and English Literature. Previous acting credits include Les Miserables and Avenue Q.

John Thomas (Big Deal) is a first-year in the College planning to major in Physics. He has previously been in productions of Pippin (Charlemagne), Fantastic Mr. Fox (Mr. Fox), and The 39 Steps (Hannay).

Maggie Strahan (Minnie) is a second-year in the College majoring in TAPS. Previous acting credits with University Theatre include Urinetown (Hope Cladwell), Amadeus (Teresa Salieri), and Love's Labour's Lost (Jaquenetta) with the Dean's Men.

Sara Fontes (Francisca) is a student in the College.

Laura Brawley (Margarita) is a student in the College.

Eloise Hyman (Anybodys) is a third-year Jewish Studies major. Recent acting credits include Hamlet (Hamlet), Much Ado About Nothing (Margaret), The Effect...Marigolds (Ruth), and Endgame (Nell).

Emily Lovett (Velma) is a first-year in the College majoring in Music and English Literature. Previous acting credits at UChicago include Hamlet (Guildenstern). She hopes you enjoy the show!

Quinn Kane (Baby John) is a first-year in the College majoring in Fundamentals. His previous acting credits include Urinetown (Bobby Strong) and Hamlet (Polonius).

Riley Paul (Snowboy) is a fourth-year student majoring in Public Policy and minoring in Philosophy. This is his second University Theater show, having performed in Godspell (John the Baptist/Judas). Outside of University Theater, Riley has acted in Cabaret (Emcee), Opus (Elliot), and Ragtime (Father). Riley is also a member of the Ransom Notes a cappella group as well as the University of Chicago Bhangra team.

Daniela de Diego Arozamena (Terresita) is a second-year in the College majoring in Economics and Philosophy. She has no previous theater experience, but is a member of the dance team Rhythmic Bodies in Motion on campus.

Neal Jochmann (Riff) is a third-year in the College majoring in Computer Science with a minor in East Asian Languages and Civilizations. Previous acting credits include Love's Labor's Lost (Don Armado) and Amadeus (Strack), along with roles in UT Workshops and New Work Week productions.

Coral E. Sabino (Rosalia) is a third-year in the College majoring in Visual Arts. Previous acting credits include Rent (Mimi), The Cripple of Inishmaan (Johnnypateenmike), and 25th Annual Putnam Counting Spelling Bee (Mitch).

Jacob Johnson (Diesel) is a first-year majoring in the History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine- a choice his parents definitely approve of. He has previously starred as Senator Fipp (Urinetown), Sir Robin (Spamalot), the voice of CAM (Singularity) and as his award-winning comedic rapper/saxophonist alter ego "Average Johnson".

Henry Stone (Lt Schrank, Gladhand) is a first-year MPP student at the Harris School. Previous Acting credits include Number the Stars (Uncle Henrik), Fiddler on the Roof (Fisherman), Les Miserables (Army Officer), Guys and Dolls (Angie), and Urinetown (Robbie).

Emily Bishop (Clarice) is a fourth-year in the College majoring in Anthropology. Emily is a member of PhiNix Dance Crew and UChicago Maya. This is her first performance with UT/TAPS.

Neal Jochmann (Riff) is a third-year in the College majoring in Computer Science with a minor in East Asian Languages and Civilizations. Previous acting credits include Love's Labor's Lost (Don Armado) and Amadeus (Strack), along with roles in UT Workshops and New Work Week productions.

Ken (Keo) Leng (Pepe) is a first-year in the College from Turners Falls, Massachusetts, majoring in Comparative Human Development and Music. His favorite past roles include Ren McCormick in Footloose, Hugo in Bye Bye Birdie, and being an ensemble member in The Music Man. Aside from this first UT production of his, Ken participates in Pep Band and Model UN.

 

Itzel Blancas (Director) is a third-year in the College double majoring in Comparative Literature and Theater and Performance Studies. She has been most heavily involved in UT as a Costume Designer (By the Bog of Cats, Miss Julie, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-moon Marigolds, and Amadeus), but also directed the musical workshop What a Wild Party in Fall of 2014. She is a member of TAPS Tech Staff, and is also a Curator for Theater[24].

Charlie Lovejoy (Stage Manager) is a second-year English literature and TAPS major. Charlie’s UT stage management credits include Miss Julie (SM), Context (SM), All choiceless She (SM), By the Bog of Cats (floor manager), Amadeus (ASM), and The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (ASM). In UT, Charlie has also APD’d for Romeo and Juliet; designed, written, and curated for Theatre[24]; and stagehanded and APD’d for Closer. Over the past seven years, Charlie has stage managed eighteen productions through community, professional, and school theatre.

Jeremy Estes (Sound Designer) is a third-year in the College majoring in Physics and Philosophy. Previous sound design credits include Miss Julie (directed by Dani Wieder). Jeremy is also an audio engineer for the Logan Center Performance Hall and produces music on his own time.

Ellen Wiese (Floor Manager, Assistant Production Manager) is a third-year in the College majoring in English and Creative Writing. Previously, she worked as the ASM on Miss Julie and By the Bog of Cats and wrote for New Work Week.

Coriander Mayer (Master Electrician) is a second year TAPS and English major in the college. Past lighting credits include design for UT (The Monkey King, By the Bog of Cats, Fall 2016 Workshops), Adventure Stage Chicago, Le Vorris & Vox, Commedia dell Arte, RBIM, UBallet, PhiNix, CSSA, and Madison Street Theater; master electrician for UT (Urinetown); and electrician for Apollo Theater and Mercury Theater.

Henry Stone (Schrank/Gladhand) is a first-year MPP student at the Harris School. Previous acting credits include Number the Stars (Uncle Henrik), Les Miserables (Army Officer), Guys and Dolls (Angie), and Urinetown (Robbie).

Bobbie Sheng (Props Designer) is a first-year in the College potentially majoring in Art History and Comparative Human Development. Her previous TAPS shows include Miss Julie (Assistant Set Designer) and By the Bog of Cats (Assistant Props Designer).

Shayon Sengupta (Lighting Designer) is a student in the College.

Edwin Gavis (Master Carpenter) is a first-year in the College majoring in Political Science. His previous TAPS shows include Miss Julie (Master Carpenter) and Hamlet (Set Designer). He's generally a pretty cool guy.

Jordan Trou (Assistant Carpenter) is a student in the College.

Sydney Purdue (Master Painter) is a second-year majoring in Statistics. Previously, she has worked with UT on a variety of shows in a variety of positions, but most recently, she was the scenic designer on Twelfth Night, UBallet's Giselle, and By the Bog of Cats. This quarter, she also painted for Noises Off.

Corson Barnard (Vocal Coach) is a third-year in the College majoring in TAPS and minoring in Norwegian Studies. Previous credits include Urinetown (Vocal Director), The Girl Show (Ensemble), Home Is Implied: A Musical Revue (Ensemble), and GATSBY: The Musical (Composer, Director). She is also the music director of the Ransom Notes, a co-ed a cappella group on campus.

Izzy Kratzer (Vocal Direction) is a student in the College.

Colin Garon (Vocal Direction) is a second-year in the College majoring in HiPSS. Previously, Colin has designed props for Endgame, Amadeus, Love's Labour's Lost, Miss Julie, and By the Bog of Cats.

Maya Jain (Assistant Stage Manager) is a first-year in the College majoring in TAPS. Previous credits with UT include a Weekend of Workshops (Flask) and By the Bog of Cats (Assistant Scenic Designer) as well as Theater [24] each quarter (Actor). She will be working on After the Revolution during Fall Quarter 2016 (Scenic Designer).

Isi Hart is a second-year Psychology major with a minor in TAPS. They have previously been part of the production and stage management teams for Macbeth, Fifth Planet, Rumors, Commedia del'Arte, and Hamlet.

Will Shore (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a second-year in the College majoring in Physics. Previous UT credits include Rumors (Officer Welch) and Urinetown (Tiny Tom). Will is also a member of two a cappella groups on campus, Rhythm & Jews and Run for Cover.

Emma Heras (Costume Designer) is a student in the College.

Natalie Wagner (Virtual Music Director/"The Band") is a third-year student majoring in Law, Letters, and Society. She has primarily worked as a stage manager within University Theater; her credits include Noises Off, By the Bog of Cats, Suburbia, Endgame, and four mainstage shows as ASM. She works on Tech Staff as the Assistant to the North Theater Campus Manager and serves as a Curator for the quarterly Theater[24] festival. Additionally, she has worked on multiple summer theater festivals in NYC, including two New York Musical Theatre Festival productions: Spot on the Wall (PA) and the concert Beyond Words (SM). She has twelve years of musical training including piano, music theory, and conducting, all of which she quit in order to stage manage but misses very much and is excited to return to for WSS!

Maya Scheidl (Scenic Designer) is a third-year in the College pursuing a major in Environmental Studies with a minor in Visual Arts. She has been the scenic designer for Miss Julie and Kaleidoscope (UChicago Maya's dance show collaboration with UT), the props designer for Macbeth, and the assistant scenic designer for Amadeus.

Christian Sanchez (Dramaturg) is a student in the College.

Sophie Hoyt (Assistant Director) is a first-year in the College and is majoring in English and Italian. She has previously acted in Miss Julie (Mother), Dani Wieder's BA Thesis Performance All Choiceless She, as well as two Fire Escape films: Last Call and Tom.

Hannah Kime (Assistant Props Designer) is a student in the College.

Lauren Saunders (Assistant Costume Designer) is a student in the College.

Elise Matsusaka (Assistant Costume Designer) is a student in the College.

Julia Bodson (Choreographer) is a fourth-year in the College majoring in Statistics. Previous choreography credits with UT include Grey Gardens, Godspell, and Macbeth.

Connor Fieweger (Action) is a 1st year Physics and Fundamentals double major. He has appeared previously in Urinetown (Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry), Les Miserables (Enjolras), Shrek The Musical (Lord Farquaad), and Meet Me in St. Louis (John Truitt). He would like to thank the entire directing and production team of West Side Story and that one picture of Lil' Wayne falling off a skateboard.

Tippo Wang (Tech Staff Liaison) is a student in the College.

Dee Nitz (Committee Liaison) is a student in the College.