Star-crossed lovers meet at the MAC tonight

From the back row of the third terrace of the Musical Arts Center, the musicians in the orchestra pit are the size of Barbie dolls.\n"Don't make me ask for more again," conductor Michael Barrett says to the ensemble before him. "I'll tell you when it's too much. One, two, and …"\nThe music swells, filling the MAC as guest director Joey McKneely walks out into the house.\n"Michael, can we go from the top?" he asks, and the run begins.\nThe run is part of the last preparations for "West Side Story," which opens at 8 p.m. today. The sixth and last show in the IU Opera Theater's "Opera with a Vengeance" series also runs Saturday and April 18 and 19. All shows are at 8 p.m. \nMcKneely made his directing debut in 2000 directing a production of "West Side Story" at the La Scala in Milan, Italy. Since then he said he's had "West Side Story" offers coming in from all over.\n"I love it," he said. "('West Side Story') kind of found me. I think of it as carrying on the torch."\nCreated by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim in 1961, the show is based on the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet. It tells the story of two young lovers who fall in love despite coming from rivaling gangs.\n"It's one of my favorite musicals," senior Tiffany Rosenquist said. "I'm so excited to be a part of something I love so much."\nRosenquist, who plays Maria on the opening and closing nights, said the role is challenging for her since Maria changes so drastically from the first act to the second.\n"The Maria you start with is not the Maria you finish with," Rosenquist said. "She goes from innocent and trusting to knowing and feeling hate."\nGraduate student Nathan Bick plays Tony opposite Rosenquist.\n"He's an optimist with a loving character," Bick said. "And I'm kind of a sunny guy. So, it's fun to play."\nBut Bick said the role has been challenging for him as well. All of Tony's songs occur during the first act, and he must rely on his dramatic skills during the second act.\n"The second act is very heavy dramatically," he said. "It's been a fun challenge. I don't normally get to \ndo anything like that, on that level of real acting."\nMcKneely said this aspect is new for some of the performers and said it is one of the elements he enjoys working on for the show.\n"They are very green," McKneely said. "The classroom is a laboratory, but nothing is stronger than a real life experience. I feel like I'm teaching them how to apply what they've learned and pushing them further."\nTickets for "West Side Story" range from $18 to $28 for the general public and from $12 to $20 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the MAC box office, through all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.music.indiana.edu/boxoffice.