The legendary musical “West Side Story” is in revival on Broadway this summer, in a production nominated for a 2009 Tony Award. Can’t get to New York? Get your tickets to the Davidson Community Players’ local production, which opens June 18 at 8 p.m. in Duke Family Performance Hall on the campus of Davidson College.

Also in this column: “Cafe du Grand Boeuf” and other events at Warehouse Performing Arts Center.

WEST SIDE IN DAVIDSON

The Jerome Robbins classic is filled with musical favorites by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, such as “I Feel Pretty,” “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” and “Gee, Officer Krupke.”

Set in New York City during the 1950s, West Side Story takes a modern spin on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, as two feuding gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, square off on the streets of New York City. In addition to its soaring musical score and beautiful story, West Side Story engages social issues concerning immigration, cultural bigotry, gang violence and teen romance that resonate just as much today as they did in 1957.

The diverse cast of 43 comes together from across the region: Maria is played by Grace Kidd (Charlotte), Tony is played by Steven Readling (Mooresville), Anita is played by Aby Pagan (Statesville), Riff is played by Steven Buchanan (Indian Trail), and Bernardo is played by Sal Garcia (Charlotte). Of note, Davidson College’s Chief of Campus Police, Fountain Walker, will play the role of Officer Krupke.

“West Side Story,” directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, opens June 18, 2009 and runs seven performances through June 27. Tickets prices are $15-$22. For reservations, call 704-892-7918 or go online to www.carolinatix.org.

WAREHOUSE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Warehouse Performing Arts Center has a variety of events in the works, beginning June 5 with a production of the dark comedy “An Empty Plate: in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf.”

The show is set in Paris in 1961 and focuses on an American expatriate who owns the Grand Cafe. It portrays the joys of cooking, sex, bullfighting and works of Ernest Hemingway.

Featured actors include several faces familiar to local audiences: Lou Dalessandro, Cat Rutledge, Matt Merrell, Rachel Jeffreys, Christian Love and Joseph Peterson.

Warehouse PAC is presenting the show with cafe-style seating (though they’re calling it “dinner-less” theater). Performances are at 7:30 p.m. (doors and bar open 6:45) Fridays and Saturdays June 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20.

Tickets are $15. For details visit www.warehousepac.com.

Meanwhile, Warehouse PAC is offering a variety of summer productions, workshops, camps for moms and camps for youth. For registration information, visit their website.

THEATER CALENDAR

JUNE 5-20, Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216-A Westmoreland Road, Cornelius – Warehouse Productions presents “An Empty Plate in the Grand Cafe du Boeuf,” by Michael Hollinger. Directed by Jim Esposito. Set in Paris in 1961, it’s about a wealth American expatriate who owns the Grand Cafe. It’s a dark comedy that features the joys of cooking, sex, bullfighting and works of Ernest Hemingway. Featuring actors Lou Dalessandro, Cat Rutledge, Matt Merrell, Rachel Jeffreys, Christian Love and Joseph Peterson. Performances at 7:30 p.m. (doors and bar open 6:45) Fridays and Saturdays June 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20.
$15. Details: www.warehousepac.com.

JUNE 18-27, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Davidson Community Players presents “West Side Story,” conceived by Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Bernstein, directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge. Performances June 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 8 p.m., and June 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets $22 adults, $20 students and seniors, except June 21 $20 seniors and adults, $15 children 15 and under. Reservations: 704-892-7918, or www.carolinatix.org

JULY 23-AUG. 2, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – “Barefoot in the Park,” directed by Alan Poindexter. Show times TBA. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

OCT. 8-25, Davidson Community Players’ Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St. – “Almost Maine,” directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org