West Side Story

Musical theater sometimes gets a bad rap for simply being what it is – artful entertainment that includes exuberant dance, frequent bouts of singing and an abundance of orchestrated energy. Musicals aren’t everyone’s cup of honey green-ginger tea, but West Side Story, which broke the mold of Broadway musical theater way back in 1957, still brings in converts arrested by its storytelling. Celebrity Attractions brings a new touring production of this tale of New York City street gangs, racial prejudice and true love to Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., April 23-28. The show strikes on to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 101 E. Third St., April 30-May 5. The collaboration of Leonard Bernstein’s pulsing composition, Stephen Sondheim’s sharp lyrics, Arthur Laurents’ smartly-paced book and Jerome Robbins’ lightning choreography prove not only timeless, but positively resurgent. Tickets are $20-$60, available at www.celebrityattractions.com