{"id":5680,"date":"2025-03-04T16:11:10","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/?p=5680"},"modified":"2025-03-04T16:12:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:12:17","slug":"jones-colleges-theater-department-presents-west-side-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/news\/jones-colleges-theater-department-presents-west-side-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s Theater Department presents, West Side Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ELLISVILLE \u2013 It\u2019s the story as old as time, inspiring books and theatrical performances globally and continues today. The story of loving someone different, prejudice and rivalry as inspired by William Shakespeare\u2019s play, Romeo and Juliet<\/em>, and the more current, 1950\u2019s Broadway hit, \u201cWest Side Story<\/em>,\u201d will come to Ellisville in April. Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s Theater Department is performing the musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents, on Friday and Saturday, April 4 & 5 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, April 6, at 2 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets cost $15 for premium seats and $10 for the upper theater section and are available online at https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/tickets\/<\/strong><\/a>  <\/strong>Watch for ticket discounts on the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Art, Music and Performance social media.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Daniel Baldwin as Tony and Kiandra Lopez as Maria in West Side Story<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s musical theater production of West Side Story<\/em> features a cast of about 30 singers and dancers with some veteran performers returning to the stage. Dean of the School of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith is also directing and producing the show with his students enrolled in the Musical Theater class handling other aspects of the show like stage prop design and managing ad sales. Leading the student driven production on stage are Daniel Baldwin of Magee as Tony, and Kiandra Lopez of Laurel, as Maria. Both students were in last spring\u2019s production of Grease<\/em>, along with Nick Singleterry of Oak Grove, who plays Riff in West Side Story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKiandra was Rizzo, Daniel was Doody and part of the reason we chose this production is because we could see them in these roles,\u201d said Smith. \u201cMaria is a very challenging role, and Kiandra has got to be a true soprano in this role. She hasn\u2019t done that in the past with us, but she\u2019s got the ability to do it and she\u2019s amazing. Daniel was born to play Tony. It\u2019s just who he is. He\u2019s that mild, leading man, that\u2019s just, you know, there to find love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding love could prove difficult as the different factions fight for dominance in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, which was a multi-racial, blue-collar neighborhood in the 1950s. The musical depicts the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different backgrounds. The Sharks are migrants from Puerto Rico and the Jets, are white and are fighting for dominance in the neighborhood. Baldwin plays a former member of the Jets while Singleterry plays the gang leader who is still best friends with Baldwin\u2019s character.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Nick Singleterry as Riff and Daniel Baldwin as Tony in West Side Story<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cI love the loyalty and courage that Tony displays,\u201d shared Baldwin. \u201cHowever, in some ways yes, it is hard for me to act out the character of Tony because he is very different from me. He is very impulsive and a helpless romantic. However, playing Tony has been my dream role since the first time I saw the play. West Side Story has always been my favorite musical to watch!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing Maria was appealing to Lopez for a few reasons. She explained she enjoys how innocent and naive her character is, giving her the opportunity to think back to when she was also very naive and always in her world of \u201cmake believe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaria is also kind of hard for me to play because of some of the things I\u2019ve gone through and singing in a heavy alto voice compared to Maria\u2019s light soprano voice has been a big challenge for me,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cAlso, being a part of Grease <\/em>last year made me want the chance to sing and act on stage again with all of my castmates. I knew playing Maria would give me the chance to step out of my comfort zone to find new parts of me I didn\u2019t know existed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining the main cast is a freshman from Petal, Korey Raines who plays Bernardo. His character is the leader of the Sharks and Baldwin\u2019s character falls in love with his sister, Maria. Returning to the stage is sophomore Ella Jolly of Petal, playing Bernardo\u2019s love interest, Anita. Two Â鶹ֱ²¥ employees, Luke Hammonds and Stephen Parker, are joining the JC students. Hammonds brings his diverse acting skills to the JC stage portraying Officer Krupke, with Stephen Parker taking on the part of Lieutenant Schrank.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Ella Jolly as Anita and Korey Raines as Bernardo in West Side Story<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a classic musical and we\u2019re portraying it in a classic style, but it\u2019s been retold in recent years through the eyes of Steven Spielberg with a movie version. We want the audience to see the depth of character that our students can portray because they\u2019re capable of really diving into deeper storylines,\u201d said Smith. \u201cThere are no curse words in the script, but there are some racial words that were used in the 1950s that are still in the script today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the memorable songs and exciting choreography, the focus on the social problems of the period is relevant to this day. Baldwin said, \u201cI hope the audience takes away a sense of passion and importance of this play. It shows a very divided culture and the negative impacts that it can have on a society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some of the dancers from the cast of West Side Story at Â鶹ֱ²¥ are pictured in the front row, left to right, Ryan Sherman of Waynesboro, Heather Walters of Ellisville, Zoe Vanderslice of Stringer, Sydney Ivy of Raleigh, Chloe White of Laurel and Emalee Herrin of Laurel. Pictured in the second row, left to right are, Patricia Mitchell of Seminary, Charles Williams of Laurel, Leila Daniels of Meridian, Natalie Evans of Ellisville and Lexie Ruth of Ellisville. Pictured in the back row, left to right are Peyton Shoemaker of Morton, Matthew Arnold of Laurel, Choreographer Rachel Appleby, Addie Thames of Petal, Daryn Tran of Ellisville, Teyonna Millsap of Laurel, Leo Norman of Ellisville playing \u201cMoose,\u201d Samah Ratcliffe of Soso and Bryce Jasper of Laurel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lopez has some additional thoughts for the audience to contemplate while enjoying the show. \u201cI would like the audience to leave with the fact that no matter our skin tone and no matter our upbringing we all grieve the same. When you think you are alone there are so many people in the world experiencing the same hurt and problems that you are also going through.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchasing tickets now, before the show sells out is encouraged with a maximum of 1100 seats available for each performance. Ads in the JC Playbill program are also available for businesses to purchase through the School of Art, Music and Performance. Check the Â鶹ֱ²¥, School of Art, Music, and Performance website and social media pages for details prior to the performance. For more information about Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s School of Art, Music and Performance department, call 601-477-4203.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The main characters in West Side Story at Â鶹ֱ²¥ are portrayed by Kiandra Lopez (left floor) of Laurel as Maria, Daniel Baldwin (left center) of Magee as Tony, Korey Raines (right center) of Petal as Bernardo and Ella Jolly (right floor) of Petal as Anita.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

West Side Story Cast, Crew & Ensemble<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director\/Producer- Bruce Smith<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choreographer- Rachel Appleby<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Character-Â鶹ֱ²¥ Student, Hometown\u00a0\u00a0High School<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Action- Isaiah Spradley, Laurel                     Homeschool<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anita- Ella Jolly, Petal                                          Petal High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anxious- Kaleb Jasper, Taylorsville               West Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anybodys- Anne Trest, Laurel\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0West Jones High School (Current H.S. student)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A-Rab\/Glad Hand- Peyton Shoemaker, Morton     Morton High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baby John- Charles Williams, Laurel                       West Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bernardo- Korey Rainey, Petal                                 Petal High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Deal- Ryan Sherman, Waynesboro                Wayne Academy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chino- Samah Ratcliffe, Soso                                   West Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clarice- Sydney Klaire Ivy, Raleigh                        Raleigh High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consuela-Teyonna Millsap, Laurel                       Laurel High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diesel-Matthew Arnold, Laurel            Northeast Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doc- Sydnee Tisdale, Ellisville              South Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estella- Addie Thames, Petal                South Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Francisca- Leila Daniels, Meridian      Forrest County AHS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graziella- Chloe White, Laurel         Northeast Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indo\/Snowboy- Patricia Mitchell, Seminary   Seminary High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luis- Zion B. Cooper, Waynesboro        Wayne County High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Margarita- Lexie Ruth, Ellisville          Laurel Christian School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maria- Kiandra Lopez, Laurel             West Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnie- Zoe Vanderslice, Stringer   Laurel Christian School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moose- Leo Norman, Ellisville         South Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pauline- Natalie Evans, Ellisville        South Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pepe- Bryce Jasper, Laurel                 West Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riff- Nicholas D. Singleterry, Hattiesburg        Oak Grove High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teresita- Emalee Herrin, Laurel        Northeast Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tony- Daniel Baldwin, Magee       Homeschool<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toro- Daryn Tran, Ellisville             South Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Velma- Heather Walters, Ellisville       South Jones High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officer Krupke- Luke Hammonds, Ellisville   ones College employee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lt. Schrank- Stephen Parker, Laurel        Â鶹ֱ²¥ employee<\/p>\n\n\n

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ELLISVILLE \u2013 It\u2019s the story as old as time, inspiring books and theatrical performances globally and continues today. The story of loving someone different, prejudice and rivalry as inspired by William Shakespeare\u2019s play, Romeo and Juliet, and the more current, 1950\u2019s Broadway hit, \u201cWest Side Story,\u201d will come to Ellisville in April. Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s Theater … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s Theater Department presents, West Side Story”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5681,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5680"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5680"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5695,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5680\/revisions\/5695"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}