Wednesdays@One series in St. Charles to explore genesis of ‘West Side Story’

Theater historian and storyteller Charles Troy will present “The Creation of West Side Story” at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, in the Collins Auditorium of the Baker Community Center in downtown St. Charles.

The event marks the return of the popular Wednesdays@One series produced by the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles. Admission is free, but guests are encouraged to register online. Visit www.NorrisCulturalArts.com for details and a registration link.

The iconic 1957 Broadway musical “West Side Story” is back in the form of a highly acclaimed new film by Steven Spielberg.

“If you recall the original Broadway show or the 1961 film version – or if you’re just a fan of the inextinguishable music of Leonard Bernstein and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim – you are sure to enjoy Charles Troy’s presentation on the show’s creation, bringing a 65-year-old story to vibrant life,” a news release stated.

The program includes recorded musical and video excerpts, photos and stories of the fabled collaboration of Bernstein, Sondheim, playwright Arthur Laurents and choreographer Jerome Robbins.

Wednesdays@One events are presented free of charge, thanks to the sponsorship of Colonial Cafe. Baker Community Center is at 101 S. Second St. For more information, call 630-584-7200.