Douglas Peruski: Tony, Someday

Douglas Persuski has loved acting ever since he was a high school freshman, where his drama teacher encouraged him to develop the talent she identified. He acted in plays all through high school, studied drama at Kennesaw State University and the University of Georgia, and since graduating has appeared in a variety of local productions.

But Douglas Peruski says there is one role he covets above all others. “Tony,” he says. “I want to play Tony.” He means the lead role in West Side Story, the hit Broadway musical, and later Academy Award-winning movie, that was based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

“I know West Side Story by heart,” Douglas Peruski says. “And, what can you say? It’s one of the great American musicals. And I would love to be involved in a production someday.”

West Side Story is the story of Tony and Maria, and of the rivalry between two street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Tony is trying to break free of his past involvement with the Jets. But things begin to go wrong after he meets and falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, who is the leader of the Sharks.

“I love that play!” Douglas Peruski says. “I mean, West Side Story has it all. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. From a play by Shakespeare. Singing, dancing, great drama. A rumble that becomes a deadly knife fight. Wow!”

Douglas Peruski knows that being cast as Tony might never happen. But it is his dream role, in his dream career, and he is determined to try his best to make it happen someday.