Ratoath students prepare to tell a West Side Story

The students of Ratoath College are in countdown mode for their version of the Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein-penned musical 'West Side Story' which will take to the stage in the school next week. The show is an updated adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous tragedy 'Romeo and Julie't, recasting 'fair Verona' as 1950s New York. The show will take place from Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th February. Tony and Maria feature as the 'star-crossed lovers', and just like the original Romeo and Juliet, their love is forbidden by society due to their background: Tony is a founding member of The Jets, a gang of American teenagers, while Maria's brother is the leader of The Sharks, The Jets' Puerto Rican rivals. Like the Montagues and Capulets of 'Romeo and Juliet', their hate often spills over into open violence. The story of Tony and Maria's love unfolds with wonderful vocal performances by talented student performers as well as slick dance routines and a live orchestra conducted by the school's head of music, Dearbhla Garrett. The show also features a vibrant array of characters who plan to bring great moments of humour to the production. Well-known numbers from the show include 'America', 'I Feel Pretty' and the timeless classic ballad, 'Somewhere'. The students and staff have put in a huge amount of time and effort undertaking preparations for the musical, with planning for the show beginning as far back as the last school year. The rigorous auditions started in October and students and staff alike have shown true dedication since then, with rehearsals after school, at weekends and over the Christmas break. The show has been a truly whole school project, with cast and crew from all years and the experience and talent of many areas of the school contributing. Woodwork teachers Dave Nelson and Martin Horan have led their students in building the elaborate sets, decorated and painted by the students of the art department, led by their teachers, Helen Mortimer and Johanna Daly. Art students have also taken responsibility for the show's advertising material. In essence, the school gym has been transformed into a real-life, state-of-the-art theatre, complete with orchestra pit, professional theatre lighting and sound and tiered seating for the optimum audience experience. Many parents from the school community have also contributed their expertise and time to the show, helping out with costumes, staging and selling tickets. The school's parents' association will also run a raffle on the nights of the show, with the top prize a Republic of Ireland soccer jersey from the Euro 2012 play-off signed by the Ireland squad - and kindly donated to the school by Irish international Stephen Kelly of English Premier League side, Fulham. As the days grow closer to opening night, the cast are growing more and more excited. The show runs from Tuesday 7th February to Friday 10th February. Tickets, costing €10/€12, are selling fast and can be purchased through Ratoath College by contacting (01) 825 4102. The show's producers have also embraced online media and there is a wealth of information on the show, from news to sneak peeks of rehearsals on the show's YouTube channel 'RCWestSideStory' and on Facebook at 'Ratoath College Presents: West Side Story'. There are also significant marketing opportunities for the local business community, with well over 2,000 people expected to attend over the four nights of the show.