Signature Theatre

Where were you born/raised? Born in Norfolk, VA but raised in Richmond, VA

Tell us about your character. Tony is a co-founder of the Jets with his best friend, Riff, but over time has lost interest in the gang. He finds a job at Doc’s drugstore as a delivery boy but senses something greater to come. His sense of invincibility leads him to love and, ultimately, his death.

What is your first memory of West Side Story? First memory of WSS was seeing my older brother play the role in high school. As a fifth grader, I remember feeling pretty emotional at intermission when I learned Tony’s fate in act two. 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? First of all, it’s so hard to choose just one. However, if I have to pick one, I would choose “Somewhere.” It encompasses all the themes of the entire show. Bernstein and Sondheim’s lyrics are a cry out for hope and forgiveness. Unfortunately, that somewhere is a foreign destination that today’s society is still searching for.

Where were you born/raised? I was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire and currently live in NYC.

Tell us about your character. I play Riff. Riff is the leader of the Jets, which he co-founded with his best friend Tony. 

What is your first memory of West Side Story? My first memory of West Side Story is playing Baby John in middle school – I had a really really bad eye injury and had to perform the role with an EYE PATCH! The show must go on. 
 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? My favorite song is definitely the “Prologue,” which is when we are introduced to the two gangs. I’m a huge Leonard Bernstein nerd and this iconic score is in a class of its own. Then you layer Jerome Robbins’ choreography to it and you’ve got yourself a treat. 

Where were you born/raised? Born in Long Island, but raised in Freehold, NJ

Tell us about your character. I play Graziella, Riff’s feisty girlfriend. She’s in love with Riff and the status that comes with dating him and would do anything to keep things that way.

What is your first memory of West Side Story? I got to perform in West Side Story all four years of high school, as our community theatre opened every season with it. I remember falling in love with the music and movement in the blues section of “Dance At the Gym,” which is why I am so excited to be learning our Robbins/Esse choreography now. It is a dream to be rediscovering the show as an adult.  

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? Hands down favorite song is One Hand, One Heart. I think that might be the most beautiful melody and words ever sung. 

Where were you born/raised? I was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Colorado.

Tell us about your character. I play action. Action is the most aggressive jet in the gang. He is a very damaged young man and even at his young age he as already lived more life then most. He constantly trying to secure his place in life and the gang.

What is your first memory of West Side Story? My earliest memory of West Side Story was in middle school in a community theatre production. I played A-rab and was very upset I was not Baby John, because I couldn’t be the social worker solo in “Gee, Officer Krupke!” and sing like a girl.
 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? My favorite song is a “A boy like that/I have a love” because it perfectly captures human emotion and is an incredibly powerful three act play in itself. Watching leaves me in shambles every time. 

Where were you born/raised? Gainesville, GA, 60 miles northeast of Atlanta 

Tell us about your character. Big Deal had a hard family life – he has lots of siblings and is near the end of the line. No one really pays attention to him, and when they do it’s only to put him down. He uses jokes as a way of gaining acceptance and attention. 


What is your first memory of West Side Story? I remember seeing the stage production at a theatre right after I had played Oliver there, and seeing all my older friends I had met doing a different show was exhilarating. The Music!! And seeing them all as different people struck a chord in me. 
 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? Tonight – the Quintet. There’s nothing more powerful than having five sides of a story – all equally huge – sing together about something that’s about to happen that same night without anyone knowing what the real consequences will be. 

Where were you born/raised? I was born and raised in West Long Branch, NJ but moved to Northern VA when I started my college career at George Mason University. 


Tell us about your character. Minnie is the girlfriend of Big Deal, and clings to him to find the acceptance and love that she can’t find anywhere else. She is young, naive and vulnerable but youthful and in love with her Jet boyfriend. 

What is your first memory of West Side Story? My first memory of West Side Story was when I was about ten and was home sick from school. At that age I had already fallen in love with dance, so to make me feel better my mother rented (from Blockbusters…RIP) all the classic dance movies that she loved. West Side Story was in the pile and it quickly became my favorite movie of all time. Now I can’t help but smile when I think about that sick little girl home in bed hoping to be a dancer one day! 
 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? My favorite song/scene from the show is Somewhere/Dream Ballet. It is hopeful and honest, and of course has one of the most beautiful dance sequences of the show.

Where were you born/raised? Philadelphia, PA

*Tell us about your character.*Anybodys is the scrappy neighborhood teenager with an identity crisis. Grappling for the attention of the Jets. She wants nothing more than to be part of the gang.  

What is your first memory of West Side Story? The movie. Movie musicals gave me my theater bug for sure. West Side Story was the one always being rewound in the VCR.   

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? …. You’ll roll your eyes if I tell you. 

Where were you born/raised? Potomac, Maryland

Tell us about your character. A-Rab is described in the script as “an explosive ferret who enjoys everything and understands the seriousness of nothing.”  His home life isn’t great, as his father has delirium tremens, and so he is able to let loose and find true brothers in the Jets.  He idolizes Riff and takes care of Baby John as Riff does with him.

What is your first memory of West Side Story? Seeing the Broadway revival back in 2009.  

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? Before doing this show, I would’ve said the “Prologue” because not only does it act as a choreographed overture, but it sets up motifs—both musically and choreographically—that are both iconic and profound.  Now, doing this show as a Jet—last time I was a Shark—being a part of “Cool” is very…cool.  I can’t help but live in the choreography and feel all the emotions throughout the number. 

Where were you born/raised? I was born in Indianapolis, IN and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana.


Tell us about your character. Pauline has a strong spirit and a lot of heart. She is always supportive and protective of her fellow Jets/Jet Girls. Though she is brave, she is also vulnerable and really lets down her guard when it comes to her love for A-rab.   


What is your first memory of West Side Story? I always loved watching “The Dance at the Gym,” especially the Blues and Mambo section. Dancing this number is such a huge thrill and release of energy! In each section, you are also forming and telling the story of these characters and their lives and I love every minute of this show.
 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? My favorite song is “Cool” because it is such a powerful moment for the Jets to express but also manage their frustrations at the same time. I truly love the way the number builds, then calms down again and how the dancing reflects the Jets’ emotions and how they decide to stay calm in spite of the chaos.  

Where were you born/raised? Maple Shade, NJ

Tell us about your character. Diesel is confident, steady, and strong. He is Riff’s lieutenant and has been involved in gangs for much longer than the other Jets. Velma is his main squeeze. 


What is your first memory of West Side Story? My first memory of WSS is attending a performance in North Jersey in the 90’s. 
 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? My favorite song? This is difficult because the whole score is perfection! “Cool” makes me MOVE. “Jet Song” revs me up and “Tonight” is brilliant.  If I have to choose it would be “Somewhere.” The notion that there is a place where acceptance, tolerance, and love can prevail over evil hits home.

Where were you born/raised? Frederick, Maryland

Tell us about your character. Velma is young, vivacious and scrappy.  She’s Diesel’s girlfriend, but more than that takes pride in being a Jet.  


What is your first memory of West Side Story? I remember studying West Side Story and the parallels between Romeo and Juliet in college, and I fell in love with the love story and beautiful score.
 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? My favorite song is “I Have a Love”.  Every time I hear it, chills run up my spine.  It’s honest, heartbreaking, and hopeful.  I’m a sucker for love, so it gets me every time.

Where were you born/raised? Baltimore, MD

Tell us about your character. Baby John is the young ‘un who really just wants to fit in with his tough guy friends. Between his buddies poking fun at him and his own adolescent thoughts, he is trying to keep a tough guy persona and start to climb the ranks. 


What is your first memory of West Side Story? I remember channel surfing when I was in middle school and still unfamiliar with musical theater. I didn’t quite know what was going on, but seeing men truly being men and seeing the grittiness of it was interesting to me. It seemed like a very fictional world, but now that I’m grown up, I know that the base is nothing further from fiction. 
 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? The Tonight Quintet is really up there for me; It’s storytelling at its finest. It’s the only song that uses all of the characters, and we’re able to see such variety in music and style – it’s restless, there is a bite, there is sweetness, and there is grace for all of the voice parts, and when we finally hit the end, we’ve reached the point of each character’s desires. The drive that finishes the number leaves you in a such state of a stillness. 

Where were you born/raised? I was born and raised in Northern Virginia.

Tell us about your character. Clarice is a Jet girl, and she dances with Baby John during the “Dance at the Gym.”


What is your first memory of West Side Story? My first memory of West Side Story is when I watched the movie version back in my high school Spanish class.  Although I didn’t understand much of the Spanish dialogue, I knew that I loved the story nonetheless….especially the dancing!
 

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? My favorite song in West Side Story is “Jet Song.” It gives such an upbeat start to the show and uses those powerful male voices to fill the room full of sound. I love the rhythm and syncopation that the song has in combination with the creative lyrics.
 

Where were you born/raised? Born and raised in Lynchburg, VA, and I went to college at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA.

Tell us about your character. Snowboy is a smart-aleck trying to prove how tough he can be in a world set against him. The Jets offer him a feeling of protection, camaraderie and importance that he doesn’t get at home.

What is your first memory of West Side Story? I remember first seeing the film when I was around 12. I didn’t understand the full context of the story at the time, but it started a long appreciation and journey for me with the show.  

What is your favorite song in West Side Story and why? “Cool” is my favorite song in the show: the infectious and enthralling music combines with brilliant and captivating choreography to give the audience a glimpse into the disturbed minds of the Jets.