A musical twist on the timeless tale of Romeo and Juliet, Broadway's classic West Side Story is making headlines once again. Directed by original scriptwriter Arthur Laurents, the 2011 tour is a refreshingly raw rendition of the long-lauded show featuring grittier gangs and angst-y, angry adolescents. Says Laurents, "What I thought 50 years ago, I certainly don't think today. ... I wanted to do a much tougher Story."

West Side Story
Fox Theatre
Jan. 25-31
Tickets: $18-$57

While roughing up the script, Laurents chose to spotlight the renowned score, plucking passionate exchanges from Berstein's wailing horns and Sondheim's ardent lyrics. That soundtrack, which has garnered numerous accolades including the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, continues to snatch the hearts and imagination of teen-to-twenty-something theatre goers. According to Michelle Aravena, (character of Anita,) "this piece is timeless, because ... [it] reflects more accurately what life is like today - much more dangerous ... with young people who have much more anger." Despite a less sanguine ending, this vibrant West Side Story will leave audiences with a deeper understanding of inherent human desires, and, just maybe, a realization that overt differences such as skin color and religion should be embraced, not used as a rubric for war.

West Side Story plays at the Fox Theatre Jan. 25-31. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Two weekend matinees are offered as well, beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Sleuth Savings: Purchase tickets online to save $5 and help troubled kids by using promo code "BIG". $5 of each sale will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. (Courtesy of Atlanta on the Cheap.)