By PAT NEWMAN

Staff Writer

Two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, are scheduled to rumble tomorrow night at Sandy Creek High School when the curtain goes up for " More than 50 students, under the direction of drama teacher Kathy Andersen, are involved in the theatrical production which will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets at the door will be $6. They can also be purchased in advance at the school or through cast members for $5.

The Tony-nominated musical from the 1950s was created by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins. It's the story of a former Jet, Tony, and his love, Maria, the sister of rival gang leader Bernardo. Tony and Maria's relationship parallels that of Romeo and Juliet.

The performance will be played against a multilevel set designed by technical director Melissa Burns and built by the actors and cast. The lead role of Tony will be shared on alternating nights by Tommy Flaherty and Bobby Payne; Maria will be played by Nichole Cardin and Bethany Burrell; and Bernardo will be acted by Rick Gardner and Micah Meredith. Bernardo's sultry girlfriend will be played by Lauren Haney and Joely Pittman.

"It's been very challenging," Andersen said during a recent rehearsal. Despite students' academic demands and extracurricular conflicts, the cast is committed to putting on a first-rate production, according to Andersen.

During the costume parade, rival gangs and their girls dressed up in their on-stage finery for a critical once-over by Andersen. "We want to avoid having accidental Bobbsey Twins," she warned. "Try a scarf around your waist," she suggested to one actress. "You need some color in your pocket," Andersen told one of the Sharks. Appraising another's attire, she said, "Too Western and too big."

Lack of a backstage has not kept the young actors and actresses from creating their own mobile message board on banner paper stretching across a row of desks. As Anderson inspects costume colors and design, students pen words of wit and encouragement to each other.

This is one of four productions presented each year by Sandy Creek's Fine Arts Department. While Andersen coaches students on memorization, characterization, movement and dialect, musical director Millie Turek runs the cast through such memorable songs as "Maria," "Tonight," and "I Feel Pretty." Choreographer Jonsie Pollack puts the dancers through their paces and guest artist Leesa Carter from Actor's Express teaches hand to hand stage combat techniques for the fight scenes.

Performances will be staged in the Commons area of Sandy Creek High School. "Come support this outstanding group of students as they perform an American classic," Anderson said.

For information, call 770-969-2840, ext. 259.

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