Though considered the end of classical musicals, some in musical theater call “West Side Story” the beginning of modern musicals in the U.S.

For some dramatists, this 1950s Broadway musical is the best of both worlds.

Benjamin McQuillin, a sophomore vocal musical education major, said the musical simply differs from others. McQuillin will perform the role of protagonist Tony.

“It’s not ‘Wicked’ but it’s not ‘Camelot’ from the 60s either,” McQuillin said.

The performance features a diverse cast of 47 members. Auditions opened to the public last semester, so the show includes a wide range of seasoned actors as well as new faces to the department.  Students and faculty of varying age, race and ethnicity created a melting pot of actors.

McQuillin said the diversity is a benefit to the show, and it brings a unique quality to the play.

The department also welcomed international students to participate in the musical.

Jinyoung Jang, a freshman English major from South Korea, said she has always been interested in music. Jang said she was fortunate to see the auditions flyer last semester and decided to audition.

“I really wanted to experience new and exciting things here as much as possible. The musical is certainly one of them and I’ve been enjoying it a lot,” Jang said.

Members of the cast have toiled since the end of winter break to prepare for the shows. This week’s rehearsals combined all of their work throughout the semester.

Previous practices had been split up to learn each section of the musical more easily. The voice work came first as they ran through all the songs for two weeks. Performers next worked on dancing and acting out the scenes followed.

“This is my first musical. I like seeing how they deconstruct everything and then putting it all together,” said Vanelis Rivera, an English instructor at ULM.

The show includes numerous young characters from two clashing teenage street gangs.

Hannah Bryan plays Maria, who falls in forbidden love with Tony. Bryan is a first-time actress and said her old voice teacher encouraged her to audition.

Bryan followed the advice and ended up landing this main role, which she said was close to her and easy to portray.

“I am Maria. I’ve always been super shy, quiet and innocent, so I really connected with the role,” Bryan said.

Bryan said the only hard part of the role was to pretend to fall in love Tony. Bryan and McQuillin, who plays Tony, have known each other their whole lives. The two have grown up together and attended school and church together. Bryan said they were even junior high sweethearts for a short time.

“It’s just difficult to pretend to be in love with your best friend,” Bryan said with a laugh. However, neither seemed to be bothered by the romantic scenes of the play.

McQuillin said the hardest part in preparing is distinguishing his character from himself.

“I see some of Tony in me, so I have to distinguish if I’m acting the way Tony would or if I’m just doing what I would do in that situation,” McQuillin said.

The musical will include a special addition in its cast. Baylee Regan will sing the selection “Somewhere” instead of characters Tony and Maria like in the film adaptation. VAPA invited the 14-year-old to be a guest performer in the musical.

Friday’s rehearsal was Regan’s first day to practice with the cast. Regan said she has performed in plays at the Strauss since she was six and hopes to continue it as a career.

ULM’s production of “West Side Story” will run from Thursday, March 26 through Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on March 29 at 2 p.m. in Brown Auditorium.

The spring musical is directed by Robin Stephens with musical direction from Deborah Chandler.