Sheffield Teachers Operatic Society
presents
West Side Story
based in a conception of Jerome Robbins
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith & Harold Prince by arrangement with Roger L Stevens
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York
WSS Production Team
Director: Dee Bennie-Marshall
Assistant Choreographer: Claire Harriott
Musical Director: Anna Wright
Production Manager / Stage Manager: Peter Brown
Assistant Production Manager: Sue Cox
Deputy Stage Manager: Helen Holmes
Assistant Stage Managers: Peter Ellis & Paul Minott
Stage Team: Andrew Brown, Steve Culmer, CHris Ellis, Martyn Green, Neil Howson, Michael LeCount, Grayson Radcliffe, Tim Sanders, Bill Sellers, Sandra Staniforth, Stan Standiforth
Lighting: Gary Longfield and team
Sound: Dave Gregory and team
Set: Scenic Projects Ltd
Costumes: Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium
Wigs: Brian Chapman for Xpressions
Make-up: Pat Bunting and team
Props Manager: Christine Froggatt
Wardrobe Manager: Janet Sanders
Wardrobe Team: Judi Johnson Hart, Judy McMurray, Martin Scattergood, Judy Ward, Brenda Wilson
West Side Story Crits
Sheffield Star
"When two gangs, The Sharks and The Jets go to war there will ultimately be no winners. Cleverly adapting Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet, our star crossed lovers are a beautiful Puerto Rican immigrant, Maria and Tony a Polish boy born in America.
Catherine Harban as Maria and Josh Coburn as Tony have great voices and sing some sweet harmonies together, including Tonight and One Hand, One Heart. They act appropriately ingenuously having fallen in love at first sight. Josh is only seventeen and should have a fine career ahead of him.
Maria’s brother Bernardo, leader of The Sharks, is played by the consistently terrific Mark Harris. He shares great on stage chemistry with sexy girlfriend Anita, played by Sarah Mashford.
Riff, the leader of The Jets, is played by youngster Jonathan Stewart. He puts in a commanding performance, looking to be in total control of his gang. Phil Brownhill does a Columbo as Schrank and Gareth Lloyd is an almost cartoonish Officer Krupke.
Acknowledgements
STOS would like to thank the following for their help, advice and assistance in bringing this production to the stage:
Ecclesall Junior School, Ringlinglow; Wesley Hall, Corkkes; Abbeydale Picture House, Abbeydale - rehearsal facilities
The STOS Ladies Committee for their ongoing and continued support
Phil Brownhill and Pat Hobson - help with the programme
Keith Arrowsmith - all his work on the STOS website
Alan Thompson - company photographs
The Print & Design Factory Limited - Programme Design & Print
Members & Friends - programme sales
The Shakespeare pub, Gibralter Street, Sheffield - venue for photo shoot
Catherine Benson, Karen Cook & Andrew Griffiths - rehearsal accompanists
Joan Bennett / Croft House Theatre Company for help with photographs
Mary Newey for all her work on publicity
Mark Feakins - additinal programme photograph
Background
If you would like some background on this show, STOS suggests the following links to information about the musical and the film version:
For the official website, click here:
From the last Broadway production: