'West Side Story' Kicks Off CWU Theatre Season

November 12, 2003

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- Central Washington University will present love and war set to music in the Central Theatre Ensemble (CTE) production of "West Side Story", which opens Thursday, Nov. 13. The classic musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet will showcase a cast of more than 30 students and Ellensburg community members, performing for the first time on the newly-renovated McConnell Auditorium stage.

"West Side Story," a collaboration between CTE and the CWU music department, went into rehearsals more than a week ahead of the CWU academic year and often has as many as four rehearsals running concurrently in McConnell and Hertz halls, under the guidance of director Michael J. Smith, vocal and musical director Karyl Carlson, and choreographer Anneliese Childress. Carlson is also in rehearsals with the orchestra, which she will conduct.

"West Side Story" is set in 1957 during a gangland war in New York City between the Sharks and the Jets. In the midst of this conflict Tony and Maria meet and fall in love. This story of star-crossed lovers, which features fast-paced dance numbers, beloved dance tunes and stylized violence, is recommended for those 12 years of age and older.

Ellensburg local Annie Jantzer, a senior theatre arts/performance major, plays the lead role of Maria. Jantzer has been seen in a variety of lead roles at CWU and for other theatres in the Northwest such as Leavenworth Summer Theater and the Warehouse Theatre in Yakima. She is the daughter of Donna and Tony Jantzer of Ellensburg.

Robert Rostad, a junior theatre arts/education major, is charming as Tony. He has also performed professionally at Leavenworth Summer Theater. He is the son of Tom and Barb Rostad of Maltby, Wash.

Senior theatre arts/performance major Erica Momyer brings spice to the role of Anita, the leader of the Shark girls. Since joining the CWU theatre department, Momyer has impressed audiences with her performance as the "Black Cat" in last season's "Pinnochio" tour, earning her the theatre arts department Newcomer of the Year award for 2002-03. She is the daughter of William and Kathy Momyer of Kent, Wash.

Greg Fryhling plays Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks and Maria's older brother. Fryhling, a graduate student in the music department, joins the show with many years of musical theatre and vocal performance experience. He also directed CWU's Vocal Jazz II choir and sings in the university's Chamber Choir. He is originally from Shelton, Wash.

The cast also includes: Mike Albert, Lindsay Beckman, Don "Doc" Childress, Clara Cook, Kelly Dorrow, Liz Eshinski, Alex Garnett, Neil Hewitson, Patrick Higgins, Maggie Hilding, Amy Hill, Delondra Johnson, Jen Kennelly, Andrew Kunellis, Tom Maier, Nick McBride, Kurtis McFadden, Scott McLaughlin, Shayne McNeil, Steve Nabors, Dima Pogrebniak, Jessica Poulsen, Hannah Schnabel, Amy Seidl, Sallieu Sesay, Christina Simmons, Jon Stenson, Arturo Suraez, Kip Taisey, Bridgette Valdez, Ryan Wallace, Erin Westfall and Scott Yingling.

Tickets are currently on sale for "West Side Story," which opens Thursday, Nov. 13. Ticket prices are $15 general admission, $13 for senior citizens, and $10 for students. Senior citizens are those persons 65 and older. All students with valid student identification qualify for student pricing.

The box office is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and one hour prior to each performance. Tickets can also be purchased by phone with a VISA or MasterCard.

For tickets, more information or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1774, or (for the hearing impaired) (509) 963-2143.