Even as Maria's brother died in Uni's spring musicial, "West Side Story," theater director Barbara Ridenour felt the impact of her own loss. Her brother, George, passed away just as rehearsals began. To commemorate George, the cast and crew raised $160 for the American Cancer Society.

And so Lauren Piester's Uni theater career has come to an end. "West Side Story" was her final high school production — and by far her most challenging. For a while things didn't look promising, but during tech week everything came together. Sure, that's what usually happens, but this time Lauren had her doubts.

You didn't see them on center stage during "West Side Story," but they went far from unnoticed. Uni's spring production would have been nothing without the musicians who made up the pit orchestra. Read on to find out what induced them to play, and what was really going on behind that big black flat.

"West Side Story" cast member Brittany Scheid takes us back to Friday night's performance of the spring musical, when something entirely unexpected happened in the opening scene: Teddy Zamora-Mills, playing the role of Shark leader Bernardo, fell and broke two bones in his forearm. Did that deter the senior from going on with the show? Not on your own life. Read on!

To put on a successful production of "West Side Story," acting and singing aren't enough. Dance sequences made famous by Jerome Robbins 50 years ago are central to the show. Kim Alexander and Alicia Cross Engelhardt were brought in to handle the choreography. Here's a look at how they took '50s dance moves from Broadway to the North Attic.

It's hard not to notice the interesting costumes, hairstyles, and makeup jobs in Uni High theater productions. The recent sold-out performances of "West Side Story" wouldn't have been the same without the stylish costumes and eye-catching makeup that adorned the Uni actors. So who was responsible for outfitting those sharp-looking Jets and Sharks? Brittany Scheid has the answer.

For three days and four shows, senior Sheri Grill dazzled audiences in the sold-out North Attic Playhouse with her portrayal of Maria in Uni's production of "West Side Story." While rehearsals were still going on, Hadley Hauser took five with Grill to learn more about this gifted singer who teamed up with senior Daniel Borup to breathe new life into the doomed romance between Tony and Maria.

If Maria is the Juliet of "West Side Story," then Tony is Romeo — a young man madly in love yet doomed to tragedy. In four sold-out performances, senior Daniel Borup has dazzled audiences with his interpretation of this iconic role. Check inside for more about the male lead in this year's spring musical.

Though senior Miguel "Teddy" Zamora-Mills always liked singing, he was never drawn to try out for theater productions. But when auditions for "West Side Story" were announced, he tried out for the musical. He landed the role of Bernardo, brother of Maria and leader of the Sharks. Here's a look at Teddy's journey as he performs an acting role for the very first time.

Sarah Lake-Rayburn's long and illustrious Uni theater career culminates with her role as Anita in this year's spring musical, "West Side Story." The first of four sold-out performances begins tonight. As opening night beckons, we'll see what Lake-Rayburn is making of the end of this stage in her life — and how she's preparing for the next act.

Three members of the Gargoyle staff have roles in this year's spring musical, "West Side Story": senior Lauren Piester, junior Brittany Scheid, and sophomore Kahlilah Cooke. The trio will take turns the rest of this week reporting from behind the scenes as Uni thespians and musicians put on yet another spectacular production. Kahlilah starts things off with this peek backstage.

With opening night of this year's spring musical, "West Side Story," drawing closer, junior Zack Goldberg talks about playing Riff, leader of the Jets in the Broadway classic about two rival street gangs who battle to keep Tony the love-struck Jet and Maria, his Shark darling, as far apart as possible.

Weeks of dancing, singing, painting, sweating, and graffiti-ing will draw to a rousing finish this week as the North Attic Playhouse comes alive with the sounds of "West Side Story," Uni's latest theatrical endeavor. Starring seniors Daniel Borup and Sheri Grill as Tony and Maria, this is one production you won't want to miss!

After a partial cast list went up last Tuesday and rehearsals started on Wednesday, all the roles for Uni's 2009 spring musical, "West Side Story," have now been assigned. The Broadway classic about the ill-fated love between Maria and Tony will be staged April 2-4 in the North Attic Playhouse.

The cast list for "West Side Story" has been posted, but only the five lead roles have been assigned. The rest of company will have parts, but those will be assigned as rehearsal progress. The clock is ticking, and practice begins this afternoon. Opening night is less than two months away: April 2.