(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is presenting the classic musical West Side Story from July 29 - August 17, 2025. West Side Story is a musical adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, set in 1950s New York City. The musical follows two groups: the Jets, and the Sharks, as they rival through racial injustice and territorial turmoil. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
Amidst the chaos, Tony (a Jet) and Maria (a Shark), fall in love through incredible music and dance, despite the rules of their respective communities. Will the power of their love prevail? Come down and experience director & choreographer Liz Troxler as she guides us through this powerful story, exploring themes of racism, hatred, violence, and also deep deep love.
Performances take place from July 29-August 17, 2025. Tickets are $46 and available for purchase online or by calling (609) 492-9477. Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven, New Jersey.
Director Elizabeth Troxler is thrilled to be back at Surflight after directing/ choreographing Legally Blonde, Head Over Heels, Chess, Matilda, Bright Star, and Frozen Jr. Other Surflight shows she has loved being a part of during her previous summer seasons are An American in Paris, Cabaret, Newsies, and Escape to Margaritaville. This year marked the world premiere of her original ballet of The Snow Queen, with previous full length ballets of Peter Pan, Hansel & Gretel & Rumpelstilskin. Her NYC credits include Daughter of Society, On This Wondrous Sea, Free To Be, and On The Town, to celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday.
In addition to the inspiration taken from Romeo and Juliet, the original creative team of West Side (Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, and Arthur Laurents) drew from the true reality of racism, privilege, and tension in 1950s New York. Loosely based on the Jewish and Catholic gang rivalry on the Lower East Side, the story grew to focus on those of white Americans (the Jets) versus Puerto Rican immigrants (the Sharks) on the Upper West Side of the city.
The original production (Sondheim’s debut) opened on Broadway in 1957, where it ran for 732 performances. This production was nominated for a whopping six Tony awards, of which it won two. From then on, the musical saw many adaptations, revivals, tours, and even various film versions. The 1961 film was most notable (co-directed by Robbins and Robert Wise) as it was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, and won nearly all of them (ten). It also won three Golden Globes, two BAFTAs, and a Grammy award for Best Soundtrack. The most recent film (2021, by Spielberg) also received several accolades, including nominations for numerous Academy Awards (seven) and others, and was the source of newfound fame for actress Rachel Zegler (Maria.)
Here are more photos from the production.
Though the story has been told for decades, and has been released in many forms, Surflight Theatre presents to you yet another, put together by an incredible team of talented technical staff, designers, and performers. The roles are as follows:
Jets: Isaiah Mayhew as Riff (leader), Nathan Robers as Tony (Riff’s friend), Kasie Buono as Anybodys, Ryan Edge as A-Rab, Matthew Goodrich as Action, Caden Lohr as Baby John, Luke Anderson as Diesel, and Michael Paciello as Big Deal.
Jets’ Girls: Riley Bannister as Graziella, Lexi Baldachino as Velma, Kate Grattan as Clarice, Juliet Stith as Pauline, and Brenna Conway as Minnie.
Sharks: Ben Chavez as Bernardo (leader), Kevin Luck as Luis, Sean Gin as Anxious, Noah Macam as Pepe, Matheus Barbee as Chino (Bernardo’s friend), and Kevin Hincapie as Indio.
Sharks’ Girls: Lizzy Perrone as Maria (Bernardo’s sister), Daniella Castoria as Anita (Bernardo’s girl), Makayla Labode as Rosalia, Lexie Brown as Consuela, Juliet Stith as Teresita, Alyssa Hakan as Marguerita, and Kalisa Curbelo as Francisca.
Matheus Barbee (Chino) is a performer based in Chicago. He’s thrilled to be making his Surflight debut after understudying Nigel in Something Rotten! He recently graduated from Northwestern University and is proudly represented by Gray Talent Group. Regional: 25th … Spelling Bee (Indiana Repertory, Paramount), A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane).
Daniella Castoria (Anita) is honored to light up her hometown Surflight stage as Anita in West Side Story. A dynamic bi-coastal performer based in LA & NYC, she’s starred as Anita (West Side Story), Diana Morales (A Chorus Line), and Annette (Saturday Night Fever).
Ben Chavez* (Bernardo) is thrilled to be back home in Jersey making his Surflight debut! Tour: Aladdin. NY/Off-Broadway: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Marry Harry. Regional: TUTS, Houston Grand Opera, Asolo Rep, Rep/St. Louis, Cape Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus. Proud NYU Tisch graduate.
Lizzy Perrone (Maria) is excited to be making her professional debut. Lizzy is a senior at Oklahoma City University (BM in Music Theatre). Credits: Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Papagena), Singin’ in the Rain (Kathy).
The Adults: Alison Nusbaum as Doc, Tim Steiner as Schrank, Mike Brennan as Krupke, Tim Steiner as Gladhand.
The show also features Musical Direction by Matty Mitchell, Costume Design by Keith Schneider, Sound Design by Ian Wehrle, and Lighting Design by Anthony Marinaro.
John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.
