Blog

In 1961 the movie version of West Side Story was released. Seven months later it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards. Ten Golden Oscars were awarded. The most by a musical and thus setting a record. And the Oscar goes to… 1.) Best Picture 2.) Best Director (Duel) Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins (Jerome Robbins Directed…
Read more

By Gary Paruszkiewicz “Belles on their Toes” . . . “Inherit the wind” . . . “You can’t take it with you” . . . “1984” . . . “The Devils” . . . Great stage plays for high school productions in the 1960’s. I swore I had found my calling, and it was on…
Read more

By AE Sarver Two years ago, I started a graduate assistant ship at Olivet Nazarene University for the theatre department. In this role, I worked closely with Professor Cohagan, taught classes, and directed shows, honing my skills as a director and challenging my ability to fully embrace a work of art. It was at the…
Read more

By Hannah Swale ~  Kankakee County Museum While buildings were demolished on one end of the 100 block of East Court Street to make way for another parking lot, the west end of the block came to be known as “The Court Street Bookends,” where more exciting things were planned. Norman and Janice Strasma acquired the…
Read more

Please join us Friday April 20 at 6:00 pm at the Kankakee Public Library for the screening of the 1961 film, West Side Story. This is a FREE event! UNITED ARTISTS | RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER 13, 1961 Summary: Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy. Director: Jerome Robbins and Robert…
Read more

This past Friday evening was our 1st official cast meeting, the West Side Story read-thru. It is always fun to see everyone together and imagine how the show will unfold. Our staging director, Jerry Cohagan shared with the cast a “Touchstone” if you will: “West Side Story is as old as Shakespeare. It is a…
Read more

“Cool” is a well-known song that is sung by Riff before the Rumble meeting. The Jets are itching to fight with the Sharks, but Riff tells them to wait for the rumble. In the movie, the song is placed after the rumble where Riff dies. The Jets are saddened by Riff’s death and want revenge. Here…
Read more

Some of the West Side Story Original Broadway Cast interviewed 60 years later. Taken from Google Arts and Culture Martin Charnin, who originally played the Jet named “Big Deal” (who wears the glasses and the brimmed hat), went on to become the director and lyricist of the musical Annie and many other Broadway shows. Charnin is directing…
Read more

We had a very intense yet wonderful weekend with some most talented folks! They pulled out all the stops to show us why they should be cast Our candidates. Our esteemed team of directors “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” When you’re a Jet! At the end of the day, we have a…
Read more