Meet the four lead actors making their Guthrie debuts in 'West Side Story'

The actors playing the two couples in this tragic "Romeo and Juliet" story are all making their Guthrie debuts.

His story: He's a Minneapolis-born, Fargo-reared leading man.

"West Side" experience: He's been in the show multiple times, and played Tony in the 50th-anniversary international company.

Quote: "Maria and I fight to change the world. We realize the world won't change for us, so we have to create our own world."

Her story: A native of Racine, Wis., she describes herself as "the love child of Tony and Maria — half-Cuban, half-Polish."

"West Side" experience: She's played Maria twice in the past three years: in Connecticut and Chatham, N.Y.

Quote: "In 'Romeo and Juliet,' Juliet dies, but the creatives [behind 'West Side') kept Maria alive. It's almost more tragic to have someone live on after their light has been dimmed."

His story: A self-described military brat, he was born in New York but raised in towns across the country.

"West Side" experience: Seven productions, mostly as Bernardo, including one opposite Koeck as Tony at the Orlando Shakespeare Festival two years ago.

Quote: "How do you make a classic fresh? Where's the life in the show now? I love what Joseph Haj is doing here. It's urgent and revolutionary."

Her story: A Puerto Rican singing star, she's made three albums and won "Viva el Sueño," an "American Idol"-like contest on the Uni­vision TV network.

"West Side" experience: This is her first time in the show.

Quote: "Anita moved to New York to follow her heart and to reinvent herself. … She's a very strong woman. … Even though she and Bernardo fight and argue all the time, that's [their] way of expressing love."