Last year it was Sweeny Todd, the year before that was Hairspray. This year it is Westside Story. Akins Journey Theatre will be presenting their annual musical in the theatre this year.

“It is a classic and one of the top-10 plays on Broadway,” Director Maureen Siegel said.  “Westside story was appropriate for this year because I feel like we have a strong cast of singers, performers, and dancers.”

The play is strongly based on a Romeo and Juliet modern day story but instead of families battling against each other like in the original Romeo and Juliet play by William Shakespeare, it is now gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, who are featured in West Side Story.

The Shark’s leader is Bernardo who will be played by Daniel Maya. Bernardo’s sister Maria, portrayed by Gabi De La Rosa, is in love with Jets leader Tony, portrayed by Jackson King, who is trying to make a life outside of the gang world.

“I love to sing and I have been in the previous musicals and I have had a blast. I have met great people and learned a lot,” De La Rosa said.

The actors, singers, and dancers have rehearsal every day after school and occasionally weekends.

“We rehearse about 40 to 80 hours each week,” Siegel said.

“I think we all will do great when performing on stage, but especially the first performance because that is the one that we want to excel in,” says Maya. “We want people to rave over our performance and tell other people to go see us.”

Journey Theater really hopes to have a great turnout so they can showcase their hard work.