North Carolina Theatre, the region’s premiere nonprofit professional theatre, is proud to announce casting for its season-opening production of West Side Story, playing October 15-20 at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.
Based on Shakespeare’s beloved Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story takes place in modern day New York City where hate, violence and prejudice run rampant. Two young, star crossed lovers are caught in a battle between rival street gangs - the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks - and must fight for their love. North Carolina Theatre is proud to present this beloved musical theatre classic before it returns to Broadway and the silver screen in 2020. Directing the musical is NC Theatre’s producing artistic director, Eric Woodall, with choreography by Jeremy Dumont.
The leading roles of Tony and Maria will be portrayed by Zach Adkins and Addie Morales. Adkins most recently made his Broadway debut in Anastasia where he played the leading man, Dmitry. He also appeared as Charlie in Kinky Boots (U.S./first national tour), Tom in Murder Ballad (Cleveland’s Playhouse Square), Anthony in Sweeney Todd (Idaho Shakespeare Festival) and Melchior in Spring Awakening (Beck Arts). Morales will portray Tony’s romantic interest, Maria. She has starred in this role numerous times regionally at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Barrington Stage Company, Casa Mañana and New London Barn, with other regional credits including Tick, Tick, Boom (Playhouse Square), and The Buddy Holly Story (Casa Mañana).
Michelle Alves, a dancer, singer, actress and choreographer born and raised in Puerto Rico, will portray the fiery role of Anita. Alves started her professional dance career at the early age of 16 traveling around the world with the World Salsa Congress and numerous Latin-American singers. In 2012, Alves landed her first national tour playing Anita in West Side Story (2012-2014), and in May 2017, she made her Broadway debut in On Your Feet. She has worked as a dancer, choreographer and assistant choreographer for various award shows, performing with recognized celebrities like The Black Eyed Peas, Pitbull, Nelly Furtado and Ricky Martin among others.
David Prottas will play Riff, the leader of the Jets. After graduating from the National Ballet School in Toronto, Prottas spent 10 years with the New York City Ballet, dancing in a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire. He previously toured the country in the first national tour of An American In Paris, made his Broadway debut in the original cast of Carousel, and was seen most recently in the new musical, Marie: Dancing Still. The leader of the Sharks, Bernardo, will be played by Stephen Diaz. His previous credits include the Broadway revival of West Side Story, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Matilda the Musical (national tour), Paul in A Chorus Line (5th Avenue Theatre), and West Side Story (The Muny).
Other featured roles include Danny Bevins (Chino), who previously starred in West Side Story at Barrington Stage Company; Sean McCracken (Krupke), a local favorite who was recently seen in Theatre Raleigh’s Junk; Alex Stewart (Action), who audiences may remember from NC Theatre’s recent production of Annie; Estes Tarver (Schrank), previously Bill in NC Theatre’s Mamma Mia!; and Jeffery West (Doc/Glad Hand), who previously starred in Theatre Raleigh’s August: Osage County.
Rounding out the West Side Story cast are ensemble members Ashley Adamek (Clarice), Monica Garcia Bradley (Francisca), Jimmie Lee Brooks (Indio), Chloe Calhoun (Anybodys), Emily Cochrane (Graziella), Michael Scott Gomez (Pepe), Sai Graham (Anxious), Alex Hunt (A-rab), Daniel Marhelko (Snow Boy), Alexandra Matteo (Consuela/Somewhere), Joshua Messmore (Baby John), Ellen Pierce (Minnie), Corey Rives (Diesel), Bilal Smith (Luis), Andrew Wilson (Big Deal), Casey Wortham (Rosalia), and Jane Zogbi (Velma).
About West Side Story
West Side Story opens Tuesday, October 15 and runs through Sunday, October 20 in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Visit www.nctheatre.com to purchase tickets or call (919) 831-6941. For groups of 10 or more, call (919) 831-6941 x6949. The world’s greatest love story set in the streets of New York will captivate you with its poignant and powerful story and inspiring musical score. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is given a modern twist, as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story will captivate you with its poignant and powerful story and inspiring musical score including memorable songs, “Maria,” “I Feel Pretty,” “America,” and more. The authors and owners of West Side Story are proud to donate the entire proceeds they receive for this production to Equality NC.
About North Carolina Theatre
Established in 1984, North Carolina Theatre is Raleigh’s premier, non-profit professional regional theatre. With its successful formula of producing top quality musicals with top national performers and local talent, North Carolina Theatre has been instrumental in the revitalization of downtown Raleigh over the years. Through its conservatory, it has provided exceptional arts training to hundreds of local youth. By offering broad access to live theatre, while strengthening economic growth, the organization continues to fortify the cultural vitality of the region. North Carolina Theatre is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission.
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