West Side Story follows Tony and Maria, two young lovers torn apart by a bitter feud between the Jets and the Sharks. With Leonard Bernstein’s soaring score and Stephen Sondheim’s unforgettable lyrics, West Side Story delivers breathtaking dance, drama, and an emotional journey that still resonates nearly 70 years since its premiere.

West Side Story stars Alex Benoit (The Notebook on Broadway) as Tony, Addie Morales (Les Misérables National Tour) as Maria, Gaby Albo (Six National Tour) as Anita, Yurel Echezarreta (Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story) as Bernardo, and RJ Higton (The Outsiders Original Broadway Cast) as Riff.

Additional cast includes Syndey Alie as Velma, Jack Bianchi as Action, Henry Cawood as Big Deal, Bennett Cooper as Snow Boy, Alyssa Evans as Graziella, Julia Fleckenstein as Anybodys, Nick Nazarro as Diesel, David Postlewate as Baby John, Caleb Sporrer as A Rab, Payton Zemaitis as Minnie, Amber Marie Flores as Francesca, Alex Haquia as Indio, Paulo Hernandez-Farella as Anxious, Abriela Rodriguez as Consuela, Oscar Antonio Rodriguez as Pepe, Rodolfo Santamarina as Luis, Daniel Vanegas as Chino, Sofi Warren as Rosalia, David Coffee as Doc, Bob Reed as Lt. Schrank, and Zach Sutton as Officer Krupke/Gladhand.

Parker Esse is Director and Choreographer. Esse was Director and Choreographer for Casa Mañana’s recent production of CATS. After performing on Broadway in the Tony-winning Fosse, Esse was associate for Broadway’s Finian’s Rainbow, A Tale of Two Cities, Follies (Pre-Broadway) and 5 Encores! (City Center). His credits as a Choreographer include: Oklahoma! 50th Anniversary (Arena Stage), Sondheim and Marsalis’ A Bed and a Chair (City Center Encores!); Ed Mirvish (Toronto), Arena Stage (18 productions), Goodspeed Musicals (9 Productions), Kennedy Center, Washington National Opera, Omaha Symphony/NBC Holiday Televised Specials, Lyrics and Lyricists 92nd St Y, York Theatre, Signature, Ogunquit, Buck’s County, and The Rev. His recent credits include: Light in the Piazza (City Center Encores!), West Side Story (Muny), Fiddler on the Roof (Muny & Paper Mill Playhouse), Beautiful (Fulton Theatre), A Chorus Line (Goodspeed Musicals).

Phil Reno is Music Director and Conductor. His Broadway credits include: Something Rotten!; Elf!; Promises, Promises; The Drowsy Chaperone; Thou Shalt Not; The Producers; Dame Edna; The Royal Tour and Back with a Vengeance; Cats. Six seasons conducting the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. National: Joseph… (With Donny Osmond), original company Music of the Night, Starlight Express, Bob Fosse’s Sweet Charity. Two-time Grammy nominee as producer of the Something Rotten! And The Drowsy Chaperone cast recordings.

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

Alex Benoit (Tony) has been recently seen on Broadway in The Notebook. TV credits: Chicago Fire, Chicago PD. Regional credits: West Side Story (Broadway Sacramento); The Notebook (Chicago Shakespeare); Into the Woods (Writers Theatre); Beautiful…, A Chorus Line, Matilda, Mamma Mia! (Drury Lane Theatre); School of Rock (Paramount Theatre). 2019 Chicago Tribune: 10 Actors to Watch.

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

Addie Morales (Maria) has been seen recently in the National Tours of Les Misérables and Austen’s Pride. She was last seen at Casa Mañana in Steel Magnolias and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Select credits: West Side Story (Barrington Stage Company – Berkshire Theatre Award), In The Heights (Cleveland Playhouse), The Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre), and American Mariachi (Two River Theater).

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

Gaby Albo (Anita) has toured as Gloria Estefan (On Your Feet) and Anne Boleyn (Six), earning Helen Hayes Awards for both. Other credits include Evita, Aladdin, A Chorus Line, and Cats, as well as being The Voice México semifinalist.

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

Yurel Echezarreta (Bernardo) has been seen on Broadway in West Side Story, La Cage Aux Folles, Matilda, Aladdin, Head Over Heels, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical. His film and television work includes Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, The Last Five Years starring Anna Kendrick, HBO’s Barry, Comedy Central’s Alternatino, and Bravo’s Odd Mom Out. His regional credits include Pasadena Playhouse’s Head Over Heels and the Hollywood Bowl’s Kinky Boots, among others. Echezarreta reprised his role as Bernardo in West Side Story at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Muny, The Houston Grand Opera, and most recently at The Los Angeles Opera.

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

RJ Higton (Riff/Understudy Tony) made his Broadway debut as Chet in the Tony Award-Winning Best Musical, The Outsiders (OBC). Select credits include: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel S5 (Amazon Prime).

Additional creative staff include Kristen Martino as scenic designer, Samuel Rushen as lighting designer, Allan Branson as sound designer, Tammy Spencer as costume designer, and Catherine Petty-Rogers as hair/wig/makeup designer.

West Side Story ticket prices start at $49 and can be purchased by visiting www.casamanana.org. Tickets are also available at the Casa Mañana Theatre Box Office, 3101 West Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth.

Performance dates and times are as follows: Friday, October 31 at 7pm (Preview Performance), Saturday, November 1 at 2pm and 8pm, Sunday, November 2 at 2pm, Tuesday, November 4 at 7:30pm*, Wednesday, November 5 at 7:30pm, Thursday, November 6 at 7:30pm, Friday, November 7 at 8pm, Saturday, November 8 at 2 pm and 8pm, and Sunday, November 9 at 2pm.

*This performance includes ASL interpretation.

West Side Story is presented by Frank Kent Cadillac and sponsored by GM Financial.

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