DETAILS: The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and the Southern Opera Musical Theatre Company (SOMTC) will give a special performance for Hattiesburg school children at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center of their latest collaboration, West Side Story.

Set in the Upper West Side of New York City in the late 1950s, West Side Story is an energetic, widely acclaimed, melodramatic musical of tragedy evolving from conflict between rival street gangs.

Featuring exceptional talents of Southern Miss students, alumni and community performers, the production is under the stage direction of Rob Mulholland, who also designed the set.

Ricardo Robinson’s choreography gives the production its sizzle, and the Symphony will be conducted by its music director, Dr. Jay Dean.

Interviews are possible with cast and show producer Maryann Kyle and any school principal or teacher in the lobby.

Photographers and camera crew are allowed most anywhere in the auditorium but not backstage. No flash photography of performers on stage.

Last updated: 02/23/06