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West Side Story runs Tues, May 8 to Sun, June 3 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts
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There’s a place

Touring version of West Side Story is transporting

05.09.2012

“I might be a Shark in the morning and a Jet in the afternoon,” says Ryan Ghysels of his jobs as dance captain, swing and understudy in West Side Story. When not performing, Ghysels watches the show from the wings to ensure that it is performed at its best. “I do get tied up in the nitty gritty,” he says. “But three or four times a week I get swept up in it. I love the ballet ‘Somewhere’ in the second act. The storytelling is so strong it transports me. It expresses the optimism that Tony and Maria and their love have. To me it’s breathtaking.” Ghysels has been dancing since he was “three or four,” and in 2003, in his first New York audition, he became the dance captain of the international West Side Story tour. “The show is timeless,” he says. “I connect to it so much. It’s a modern Romeo and Juliet with love overcoming obstacles. We still want to believe that that is true. The Jets and Sharks, racism, it’s still going on. And gays are the big minority now. This version is more realistic, violent and darker, which really helps the issues hit home.”

West Side Story runs Tues, May 8 to Sun, June 3 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. dancaptickets.com

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    • monica
      7/10/2012 4:27:37 AM
      Please, Lalu fans Min ypotimate to noiimsoni mas,tin idia imera,wra (4 to prwi!!!) paromoia posts.. You have to try a bit harder.. (hehee..which means Somebody is hurt )(sorry gia ta greeklish to iPod touch den ypostirizei Greek yet
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