b'subject matter, and inevitable tragedy and despair, can attest to West Sides popularity? Iwouldpositthattragedyanddespairarethereasonforits popularity-orrather,theirnaturalcounterbalances:laughter, and hope. Where there is life there is tragedy, and injustice, and despair. We feel its inevitability in life as we do onstage. And yet, where we find our deepest shadows, we also must find light. Tony longs to leave his violent past behind, Maria yearning for a world of opportunity ahead, and we know how these stories will inevitably end. The beauty of West Side Story is found in its message of hope in the face of hate.Each time we see the story anew, we think, maybethistime.Maybethistimesomethingwillworkoutfor them. If only Anita just would If only Riff didnt We find hope in the face of their despair. We laugh with these characters when they laugh, find our happiness in theirs, because if they can find small joys in their lives, so can we in ours. Because if hope can overcome hate just this one time, if love can prevail, maybe we too can find the hope and laughter and love to persevere.The struggles of the Jets and the Sharks are just as timely today asin1957.Wetooarebombardedwithtribalism,racism,and extremism, with a culture that would weaponize our differences and have us choose hate instead of love. These are not problems of the past - these are the realities of today. Much as the Capulets and Montagues became the Sharks and Jets, the names have changed but the hate remains - but so does our hope. And maybe, someday, therell be a place for all of us, but believing in our somedays isnt enough. We must step into the world with hope and make our someday, today.Thank you for joining us and enjoy the show.Jake Sung-Guk SullivanFollow us on Facebook and Instagram@IGHCommunityTheatreSign up for news at www.IGHtheatre.org/contact'