MTC To Raise Money For Victims Of Hurricane Maria

MOORESTOWN, NJ — For the second time in three months, the Moorestown Theater Company (MTC) presents the the school edition of the classic musical “West Side Story.” For Shawnee High School junior Rebecca Vidal, the performance will have extra meaning.

“Because I am Puerto Rican, I wanted to not only perform in this show, but to use it to help my fellow Americans in Puerto Rico,” the 16-year-old Vidal said. Vidal is of Puerto Rican descent. Her grandmother lives in America, but is getting updates from Vidal’s great uncle on the situation in the American territory in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

Vidal heard stories of people in desperate need of money and medication. Many people are trying to leave the country, but have been unable to do so. She wanted to help, and approached MTC Artistic Director Mark Morgan about raising money to help hurricane victims. As a result, $2 from every ticket sold is being donated to the UNICEF USA Hurricane Relief Fund for Puerto Rico.

“Every dollar counts because people are really struggling over there,” Vidal said.

Tickets are $13 and can be purchased online at www.MoorestownTheaterCompany.org or at the door beginning one hour before curtain time. Show times are Saturday, Nov. 11, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 12, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The show will be performed at Westfield Friends School, 2201 Riverton Road in Cinnaminson.

MTC also performed the show in August. That show drew a record number of male performers. Vidal’s family wanted her to perform in the show at that time, but she couldn't because, ironically, taking a summer Spanish class.

The classic musical features the American Jets versus the Puerto Rican Sharks. Vidal’s family wanted her to perform in the show, so when she landed the role of Anita in the upcoming performance, they were so proud.
“My grandma was excited,” Vidal said. “She began speaking in Spanish.”

In 1961, Rita Moreno won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anita on the big screen, one of 10 Oscars the film won (landing it fourth on the all-time list for most Oscars won by a movie).

There are 29 cast members, including 12 males, in this weekend’s production. In August, there were 64 total cast members.

“So many people said that they missed our wonderful August production of this under-performed classic musical,” Morgan said. “So we wanted to bring it back during the school year. We are thrilled to present it again to the audiences of Burlington County.”

With less actors in this performance, some cast members who had lesser roles in August were moved up in the fall pecking order, including Josh Santiago, who will play Bernardo in this weekend. In 1961, George Chakiris won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bernardo. In the summer, Santiago — who is also of Puerto Rican descent — played a Puerto Rican Shark.

The 15-year-old sophomore at Camden Catholic High School is honored to be playing the part, and grateful for the second opportunity. It also means a lot to him that MTC is raising money to help hurricane victims, as he hasn't really heard from his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins on his mother's side since Maria struck Puerto Rico.

"We're heard things here and there when there are surges of power, but nothing really," Santiago said. " ... It warms me up to know that we are giving back to the hurricane victims in Puerto Rico."

“West Side Story, School Edition” has great songs including "The Jet Song," "Maria," "America," "Cool," "Dance At The Gym," "One Hand, One Heart," "I Feel Pretty," "Somewhere," "Gee Officer Krupke," and "A Boy Like That." It has a PG-13 rating for on-stage violence. For more information, call MTC at 856-778-8357.

The attached logos were provided by the Moorestown Theater Company