West Side Story Oct 10 to 19 at Olde Walkerville Theatre

Re:  West Side Story through a Social Justice Lens

Windsor’s Chris Rabideau is taking the popular musical West Side Story to a new level by presenting audiences with a version of the theme that addresses its social justice underpinnings.

This unique production is the first offering from the new theatre group Arts Collective Theatre (ACT), housed in the historic Olde Walkerville Theatre on Wyandotte Street East.

As director, Rabideau has cast the ACT show with talented students from across the region.  ACT’s focus is to nurture young talent and provide them with opportunities to grow and showcase those talents through mentorship and performance.

“In this project all of our lead actors have never been a lead before.  This is giving a new opportunity for new talent to be highlighted in the City of Windsor,” said Rabideau.  “This is about the students, a journey.  It is their opportunity to showcase their talent and the “love they have for the arts.”

 

Cast as the iconic Maria, this is Miya Morris’s stage debut.

“I am excited to play Maria in this epic musical with such a talented and eclectic group of performers from all walks of life,” said Morris.  “I hope Windsor takes a chance on something as innovative and new as what ACT has to offer the community through this forward-thinking production.”

This is also the vision of the show’s executive producer, Mary Lambros, owner of the Olde Walkerville Theatre and Lorelei’s Bistro and members of its Board of Directors who bring theatre expertise to the group.

"It is my pleasure to have ACT as a part of my theatre.  We work with an organization with a community focus which is very important to me.  I look forward to a long relationship in developing and producing many future presentations,” said Lambros.

 

Chris Clarke plays Doc and says ACT is not your average theatre company.

“It is a place where youth can meet, share their experiences and feel free to express themselves without the fear of judgment or ridicule.  I know that through ACT I have grown not only as an actor, but as a person as well,” said Clarke.  “When you put it all together, you get an experience that is absolutely fantastic.”

 For more information:     Diana Mady Kelly

                                    519-948-3545 or madykel@uwindsor.ca

 

Show times:      Friday, October 10^th        7:30 p.m.

                        Saturday, October 11^th    2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

                        Friday, October 17^th        7:30 p.m.

                        Saturday, October 18^th    7:30 p.m.

                        Sunday, October 19^th      2:00 p.m.

 

Opening night:  $18    All other performances:  $22

by Alan Halberstadt www.alanhalberstadt.com