January 20, 2005—"West Side Story is a musical that was just waiting to be produced at Oberlin," says Musical Director Michael Sakir '06.

"Oberlin is unique among liberal arts colleges in that it has an exceptional theater and dance department, as well as one of the top music conservatories in the country," explains Sakir, a piano performance and music history major. "What better theatrical production unites these three art forms--theater, dance, and music--than West Side Story?"

The all-student production of the landmark Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim musical will run February 10 through February 13 in the College's Warner Main under the auspices of the Oberlin Musical Theater Association (OMTA).

More than 75 students are involved in the show, including cinema studies major Jean Hiebert '06, who serves as director, and Jan-Margaret J. Llorens '05, a dance major and theater minor, who is the musical's choreographer. Neuroscience major Benny Wheat '07 is the set designer and technical director.

The 30-member cast includes Natalie Fagnan '08 as Maria, Alek Shrader '08 as Tony, Jason Bayus '05 as Riff, Munib Raad '06 as Bernardo, and Annie Mosbacher '07 as Anita.

"West Side Story is a great opportunity for students with all different areas of expertise to come together to create a single work and an opportunity to spark discussion about some of the social issues presented in the show," comments Hiebert.

West Side Story will be presented Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, February 10, 11, and 12, respectively, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 13 at 2 p.m. in Wilder Hall, 135 W. Lorain St. (440.775.8102). Tickets are $5 at the door and $4 in advance at Wilder Desk.