TPAC’s SummerStage presents "West Side Story" and "Pagliacci Project"

West Side Story: From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Arthur Laurents’ book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is widely regarded as one of the best ever written.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City, as 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 presented by the Tulsa Project Theatre in Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s John H. Williams Theatre. Performances are June 5-6, 11-13 at 7:30pm; June 7, 13-14 at 2pm. Tickets are $22 to $30.

Pagliacci Project: The drama of opera and the physicality of aerial dance come together in Pagliacci Project.

Employing youth and adult dancers on aerial silks, lyra, trapeze and the Spanish web, Pagliacci Project is adapted from Ruggero Leoncavallo’s opera Pagliacci. Now set in a 20th-century circus, this show-within-a-show immerses the audience in the backstage happenings and commotion of a circus environment. The drama increases when Pagliacci believes (through a dream sequence) that his wife is having an affair. When his suspicions are confirmed (thanks to the help of a “superfan” in the audience), Pagliacci becomes enraged and begins a deadly journey. Meanwhile, the show must go on as circus performers maintain their on- and off-stage performances.

Pagliacci Project is presented by Portico Dans Theatre in TPAC’s Liddy Doenges Theatre, June 12-13 at 8pm. Tickets are $15 with discounts for seniors and students.

Purchase tickets for both shows online at Tulsapac.com, by phone at (918) 596-7111, or at the TPAC ticket office on the South side of the Performing Arts Center, 101 E. Third Street (Third and Cincinnati) in Tulsa, M-F 10am to 5:30pm, and two hours prior to show times.

SummerStage Tulsa is a performing arts festival held during June in the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s John H. Williams, Liddy Doenges, Charles E. Norman and Robert J. LaFortune Theatres. Performances include a variety of disciplines from musicals, drama, comedy and dance to cabaret theatre events. SummerStage Tulsa provides local arts groups and individual artists the opportunity to work together in forming a showcase of incredible talent. The result is a cohesive, colorful, balanced, diverse and high-energy festival that culminates in a unique departure from main season arts events. For more information about SummerStage programs, visit www.summerstagetulsa.org.

The Gayly – June 4, 2015 @ 11:45am.