Stars to Shine for Junior Orchestra

Carol Lawrence and George Chakiris, who starred in the Broadway and film versions, respectively, of “West Side Story,” will be on hand when the Junior Philharmonic Orchestra of California performs music from the Leonard Bernstein musical at a free concert in downtown L.A. tonight.

The 125-member orchestra of young people, under the baton of founder Ernst Katz, also will play music from “The Barber of Seville” and “Phantom of the Opera” beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center.

Other celebrities scheduled to appear during the concert include Mickey Rooney, Connie Stevens, Pat Boone, Barbara Eden and Joseph Campanella. There will also be a “battle of the batons” featuring Chakiris, Amanda Foreman, Greg Grunberg, radio host Michael Jackson and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Admission is free, but organizers recommend arriving by 6:30 p.m. for the first-come, first-served seating.