Dr. Paul Ballard always wanted to direct “West Side Story,” but he had trouble finding a male actor who could dance and sing well enough to pull off the lead role.

Enter Vicksburg resident, Kevin Arredondo, a Belhaven University student who sings and is majoring in dance.

Now the classic Broadway musical will be performed at the Parkside Playhouse, 101 Iowa Blvd. Friday-Aug. 19 and Aug. 24-26 and Ballard, who is the guild’s president, couldn’t be happier.

Finding Arredondo was a coup for Ballard, who was never sure they could pull off the show.

“If I were a dancer that could sing, this would be a part to die for,” he said.

Ballard said he has had his eye on Arredondo to play the role of Tony for a while, and a summertime schedule of rehearsals and show times persuaded Arredondo to accept the role.

“I gave it some thought and said ‘why not?’” Arredondo said. “I didn’t have anything else to do this summer.”