CONTACT:
Ronn Goswick
Director of Public Relations
4350 E 7th Street
Long Beach, CA 90804
562-856-1999 fax:562-859-1997

RONNTALK@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEST SIDE STORY

Summer Youth Conservatory of Musical Theatre West performing

August 20 - 22, 2004 outdoors
at Recreation Park, Long Beach

August 1, 2004 The Summer Youth Conservatory of Musical Theatre West will present WEST SIDE STORY which will play for 3 performances only on August 20-22, 2004 at 8pm outdoors at Recreation Park, Long Beach. Tickets are available by calling Musical Theatre West Box Office at 562-856-1999 ex 4 or two hours prior to each performance at the park.

The Summer Youth Conservatory of Musical Theatre West was founded in 1998 to provide opportunities for young performers to develop their skills in a professional environment. During the five week rehearsal period the basics of singing, acting and movement are taught to the cast. The conservatory is an integral part of the Youth Cultural Enrichment Program, which has introduced over 70,000 young people to the magic of live musical theatre. In the past years the conservatory has produced JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, GREASE, FOOTLOOSE and LES MISERABLES - SCHOOL EDITION.

Director Mark Patelli and will be joined by Tod Kubo choreographing and Luis Avila handling the musical Direction for this summers offering.

Broadway's legendary musical has been performed over the years by hundreds of thousands of actors. The energetic young cast of over 30 comes from throughout Southern California and represents over 22 high schools. Playing the role of the young lovers will be James Blashaw as Tony and Brittany Cornelius as Maria.

Other members of the cast include Josh Allton as Riff, Teanna Berry as Anita and Michael Trasoras as Bernardo.

The following round out the cast of WEST SIDE STORY:

From:

Aliso Viejo

Andrew Berlin and Daniel Berlin

 

Anaheim

Teanna Elyse Berry

 

Buena Park

Dennis Blanchard

 

Costa Mesa

Brittany Cornelius
and Whitney Kim

 

Downey

Michael Trasoras
and Nathan Trasoras

 

Fontana

Faviola Michel

 

Foothill Ranch

Elissa Thomas

 

Fountain Valley

Rachel Pupa

 

Huntington Beach

Armando Esteven Guiterrez, Jr.

 

Irvine

Jessica Merel and Parsa Sobhani

 

Lakewood

Laura Ann Taylor

 

La Mirada

Aimee Abad

 

Los Alamitos

David R. Gordon

 

Long Beach

Peter Dante Crisafulli

 

Mission Viejo

Kyle DallaTorre

 

Placentia

Natalie Miller

 

Rancho Palos Verdes

James Blashaw

 

San Pedro

Erin Britteny Green

 

Walnut

Ricky Alvarez

 

Westminster

Josh Allton, Mary Braun
and "D" Pull

 

Yorba Linda Megan Mekjian

 

Musical Theatre West is one of the oldest regional musical theatre companies in Southern California and produces four major productions annually at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. The 52nd Anniversary season will open with SHE LOVE ME, November 6 - 21, 2004 and continue with RAGTIME, February 19 - March 6, 2005, THE THING ABOUT MEN, April 16- May 1, 2005 and closing with GUYS AND DOLLS, July 9 - 24, 2005. Tickets for the season are also available by calling the Box Office at 562-856-1999 ex 4.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for WEST SIDE STORY are $25.00 for reserved seats and $10.00 per person for general lawn seating. Group discounts for reserved seating are available for parties of 12 or more by calling 562-856-1999 ex 5. For tickets call Musical Theatre West at 562-856-1999 ex 4 or at the Box Office at 4350 E 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804. Tickets will be available at the park two hours before each performance.

Musical Theatre West is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation.