ROCKPORT — Construction is nearing completion for West Side Story, this year’s fall musical opening Friday, Nov. 9, at Camden Hills Regional High School.  Approximately 50 student techies have been busy designing and building sets that will showcase the cast of more than 50 performers.  Others have been busy sewing costumes, making props, and creating designs for the lighting, sound, hair and makeup.  There are nearly as many students working behind the scenes as will appear on stage.
 
Set designer and senior Hannah Wells has been working with a team of carpenters, engineers, and painters to create the period New York setting that leaves enough room for choreographer Katie Thompson to stage numbers with more than 40 dancers.  Senior, Marc Belléy is lighting designer for the production, and sophomore Thatcher Chamberlain is working with junior Ryan Gass on sound design.  Between makeup and hair, costumes, lighting, sound, props, and stage crew, there will be 25 students working behind the scenes during each performance.
 
West Side Story opened on Broadway in 1957.  A collaboration between Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins, and Hal Prince, the original run of more than 700 performances has been followed by two revivals and multiple National Tours.  West Side Story is one of the most performed American musicals of all time.
 
Performances in Strom Auditorium will be Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.  Tickets information is available at www.stromtickets.com and general admission tickets are available at HAV in Camden.  Any questions call the box office at 236-7800 ext 282.