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Love, lust, revenge, and bloodshed... Islanders who think they can handle the gang-ridden streets of New York are being invited to walk on the West Side.
The Jersey Amateur Dramatic Club is bringing 'West Side Story' to the Jersey Opera House next July and will be auditioning candidates next week at Beaulieu School.
Based on Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet', the production sees the timeless story converted into an all-singing, all-dancing presentation of the tensions on New York City streets via music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, including classic songs 'Somewhere', 'I Feel Pretty' and 'America'.
=Having now put together a production team for the musical, under Director Collette Labey's lead, the JADC is now looking for talented islanders to fill the shoes of the Jets and Sharks.
Video: Inspired by Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet,' West Side Story explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Starks.
Although there is a strong dance element to the show, the team doesn't want that to put people off from auditioning.
Choreographer Claire Butler explained: “They really don’t need to be professional dancers to take part in this show. The choreography hasn’t yet been planned, as I will work with the ability of the cast. Come along and have a go, we promise you’ll have fun!”
Rehearsals for the show will start mid-April. The team has warned that putting the show together will lead to a "relatively intensive rehearsal period", but explained that not all the cast will be needed at all rehearsals.
Video: One of the musical's most iconic tunes, 'America'.
Director Collette Labey explained: “In this musical we have two families, The Jets and The Sharks. We plan on keeping the groups as separate as possible but bring them together only for the scenes where they clash, therefore adding heat and more drama to the Show!"
Potential cast members need to be at least 16, but there is no limit on their age as cast members of "a more mature age" are needed. Ms Labey said: "If you can dance and sing, please come along! We guarantee a fun experience and very relaxed way of auditioning!”
Auditions will be held at Beaulieu school on 25 November and candidates are invited to prepare the audition material ahead of the day.
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