'West Side Story', which was inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, will be performed by a non-profit theater group Jakarta Performing Arts Community (JPAC) from May 12 to 14. (Shutterstock/-)
In the 1960s in New York, a gang war is raging between the White "Jets" and Puerto Rican immigrant "Sharks" over territory in their neighborhood. It all changes, however, when Tony, a former "Jets" member who is also a close friend of the gang's leader, Riff, meets Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader, Bernardo, and they fall in love at first sight.
Tony and Maria plan to run away together, but it is not easy due to the gangs' feud. Hoping to put an end to the rivalry, Maria sends Tony to stop it but the story takes a devastating turn.
This is just a small slice of West Side Story, a classic musical penned by Arthur Laurents with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
Read also: Jakarta Performing Arts Community's road to 'West Side Story'
The play, inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, will be performed in English by a non-profit theater group Jakarta Performing Arts Community (JPAC) on May 12 to 14 at Graha Bhakti Budaya in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta.
Established in 2014, JPAC was founded by several musical theater enthusiasts.
"We picked West Side Story because, as a community with a membership that is diverse in background and culture, we have to make a stand and say that differences are not something to be afraid of; but instead something to be embraced. One of the musicals that represents that sentiment is West Side Story because it's rich with anti-discrimination [messages] and shows the consequences of a misunderstanding," said the musical's director Fonnyta Amran, adding that the show is the troupe's eighth performance as well as its largest ever play.
To allow it to present the performance, the troupe acquired a license from the Music Theatre International (MTI) to maintain its originality. "If we want to deliver the message [of appreciating differences], we have to do everything above board, so the message can be spread as wide as possible."
Meanwhile, choreographer Elhaq Latief said the play had signature movements, which are popular in the United States theater industry. "I didn't copy all of them, but there are some signature movements that I have included in the production."
Those interested to see the show can purchase the tickets online. The price starts at Rp 100,000 (US$7).
A portion of the tickets will reportedly go to the Theater for Life program for underprivileged youth in Depok, West Java. (kes)
Source: Jakarta theater group all set for 'West Side Story' in May
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