C.O.D.A. West Side Story~ Summary based on the Press Release!!

Origins: Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim


The Croydon Operatic and Dramatic Association (CODA) are proud to present
their production of ‘West Side Story’- always extremely popular and possibly the best musical ever to have been written- 12th-15th September, Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Croydon.


Although it was written many years ago this show is still incredibly relevant, depicting the terrible consequences of gang warfare; the effects of which can still be seen worldwide in all major cities today.

The story, inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ is set in New York in the mid 50’s and explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks; two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds- a highly familiar scenario to us all but with different mixes of nationality.

The members of the Sharks from Puerto Rico are taunted by the Jets from New York. Fate takes a strange turn when Tony- young protagonist with the Jets, falls in love with Maria, sister of Bernardo who is gang leader of the Sharks. The story has a dark theme based on the old adage 'opposites attract' and along with its sophisticated music combined with incredible choreography marked a turning point in American musical theatre. Bernstein's score for the musical produced some extremely popular classics contributing to public love of this rich art form including; "Maria," 'America,' 'Somewhere,' 'Tonight,' 'I Feel Pretty,' and 'One Hand, One Heart'... making this an absolute 'sing along' or hum in your head show!

The cast includes Dom Binefa as Tony and Charlee Simmons as Maria. Charlee is new to CODA unlike Dom who appeared last autumn as ‘Jose’ in our acclaimed production of ‘Fame The Musical,’... reviews included Its Braap (enter in SEARCH.) Other members of CODA who will appear in West Side Story include: Ziggy Szafranski as Bernado, Owen Moore as Chino, Chris Watson as Riff and Alice Bendall as Anita.

CODA was founded in 1943 and is Croydon's leading community theatre company. CODA performs three or four productions a year including both musicals and plays; always produced to a highly professional standard. In the last few years, in addition to Fame The Musical,' they have performed acclaimed versions of ‘Noises Off,’ Disney's ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘The Graduate,’ ‘Abigail's Party’ and in addition treated us to concerts and Old Time Music Hall.

SHOW INFORMATION
‘West Side Story’ runs from Wednesday 12th to Saturday 15th September with nightly performances at 7.45pm and one matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 15th September.

Tickets cost from £16 to £17.50 (with no additional booking fees)- concessions available- and can be booked as follows
Online: at www.fairfield.co.uk
By phone: call 0208 688 9291
In person at the Fairfield Halls box office.


More details available on CODA's website at www.codashows.co.uk.

Press Contact: Sophia Wilson (publicity manager), marketing@codashows.co.uk,
07814 135 191.

Please show your support!! Jaz McKenzie

Comments

  1. Carl Campbell Actor, dancer, singer, songwriter, artistic director, choreographer and founder of the Carl Campbell Dance Company 7 took part in the production of West Side Story, stage in the Concert Hall, Fairfield Halls. In this production, he played the part of Snowboy, one of the Jets. After that Carl went on to tour with the British Dance Drama Theatre. Carl's second musical was the London stage version of Jack Good's Catch My Soul… Rock Othello which opened at The Roundhouse in 1969 and moved to the Prince of Wales Theatre in the West End in 1970. 1971, Carl Campbell joined the original West End production of the musical "Hair" at the Shaftesbury Theatre

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