As West Side Story’s premiere comes closer at 7pm on Nov. 16-17 and 2 pm on Nov. 18 interested parties can purchase tickets by calling Maverick Theatre at 479-646-1179 or by buying tickets at the box office.

The classic musical highlights the tension a gang of Puerto-Rican immigrants, the Sharks, face from a local gang of All-American boys, the Jets. A devastating chain of events sets in motion when Maria, a Shark, falls in love with Tony, a Jet.

“There’s so much that happens in the show. It’s just an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows and it’s a great ride,” producer Amy Pumphrey said.

Pumphrey advises potential audience members to arrive no later than five minutes before the show starts. The show takes place in the Southside Auditorium. The box office opens 35 minutes before each show while the house opens 30 minutes before. Concession sales go on during the show.

“We have a motto at Maverick theatre. We try to put on shows that surpass being a high school show. To prepare for the show we’re really just double checking and making sure everything is as fine-tuned as possible,” technical director Beau Pumphrey said.

Cast members contribute to the technical side of the show during Set Saturday. The cast breaks into groups, with a specific agendas on what to complete in the areas of props, set, and costumes.