West Side Story is considered to be one of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time, bringing together a creative team considered to be a who’s who of the Broadway world. With collaborations from Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim and Jerome Robbins, this modernised portrayal of Shakespeare’s most famous story Romeo and Juliet. The musical takes place on the streets of New York and showcases two star struck lovers falling for one another in the middle of a turf war between two rival teenage gangs.
The musical highlights a range of issues in a society fuelled by hatred and indifference, each character holding onto the beliefs of their parents. As The Jets, sons of previous American immigrants and the Sharks, recent arrivals from Puerto Rico battle it out across each social landscape, we find ourselves amazed at the incredible dance battles taking place, captivated by the Mambo and the Cha-Cha. We find ourselves rooting for a forbidden love that emerges and grows from the most unlikely of places.
Produced by GWB Entertainment, Opera Australia and BB Group, West Side Story directed and choreographed by Joel McKneely brings to life a tale known all too well with a young cast of talented performers.
Tony played by Todd Jacobssen and Maria by Sophie Salvesani are exceptional on stage, their adoration and yearning for each other quintessential as they perform iconic tracks including Maria, Tonight and Somewhere. It’s easy at times to forget that the musical is based on the world’s most important tragedy, and the performance has you reaching for tissues as the pair attempt to unite against all odds. In a place fueled by hatred between the groups, it becomes apparent there is no room for their love.
Special mentions to Chloe Zuel as Anita, Noah Mullins as Riff and Lyndon Watts as Bernardo whose performances keep us on the edge of our seats.
The music, originally written by Leonard Bernstein, is flawlessly performed each night by Orchestra Victoria, a 31-piece ensemble orchestra and Musical Supervisor and Conductor Donald Chan at the helm.
West Side Story, a beloved classic, is currently on at the State Theatre in Melbourne.
You can catch West Side Story from April 6-28 or see it on stage throughout 2019 in Sydney, Canberra or Adelaide.
https://westsidestory.com.au/