(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions presents West Side Story from July 26-28, 2024 at Count Basie Center for the Arts.  Don't miss this classic musical in which Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City.

Follow the two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

West Side Story is a musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Some of its most noted songs include "America", "Something's Coming", "Maria" and "Jet Song".

Performances take place Friday, July 26 at 7:30pm; Saturday, July 27 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; and Sunday, July 28 at 2:00pm.  Tickets range from $20-$65 and are available for purchase online.  Count Basie Center for the Arts is located at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, New Jersey.

The original Broadway production was nominated for six Tony Awards include Best Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Costume Design, and Best Conductor and Musical Director.  It won awards for Best Choreography and Best Scenic Design.  It has since been revived on Broadway and the West End several times and turned into two Hollywood films.

For over 35 years, Phoenix Productions has been dedicated to the mission of providing quality theatrical experiences on both sides of the footlights. Since its first production in 1988, they have produced over 100 main stage shows providing on-stage and back stage opportunities for thousands of talented volunteers. In 2023, Phoenix Productions merged with its home of over 3 decades, the Count Basie Center for the Arts, combining and solidifying its regional impact on the performing arts.

The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, dedicated to fostering powerful, inclusive artistic experiences and creative exchange of ideas. The Basie mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through its distinct and engaging cultural and artistic offerings that embrace and amplify the diversity of the region. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie is committed to enriching the community’s quality of life by generating opportunities for participation in the arts, partnering with schools, collaborating with other mission-based organizations and driving regional economic prosperity. The Basie Center has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tony Bennett, Sophia Loren and Ringo Starr. Count Basie Center programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.