West Side Story

Editorial

When: From 2 July, 2010. Tue- Sat 8pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm
Where: Lyric Theatre, Star City
Tickets: $70 - $130
Bookings: Ticketmaster

Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is the tragic tale of two people who fall in love. Born to opposing cultures, they are lovers who tread a road of gang-fuelled intolerance and finally their lives, in true Shakespearian style, spiral towards disaster.

It is a dark tale, but one that is also poignant. Stitched together with a glorious score by those masters of the musical, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, the emotional story features some of the most outstanding music of the 20th century. When it first hit Broadway in 1957 with Jerome Robbins as its groundbreaking choreographer, it redefined the Broadway musical.

The film version went on to win 10 Academy Awards - with more memorable song and dance scenes than you could poke a gang-weapon at: the opening dance scene with the rival gangs, the girls twirling their skirts in America, sweet, gorgeous melodies like Maria, Tonight, I Feel Pretty - the song list goes on.

After a sold-out tour in Paris, Beijing, Tokyo and London West Side Story now brings its star-crossed lovers to the Australian stage. At the helm is director/choreographer Joey McKneely, personally chosen by Jerome Robbins to reproduce the original choreography. The role of Tony is to be played by Ten Tenors singer Josh Piterman, and Maria by Sydney Conservatorium Scholarship winner Julie Goodwin.

“Something is coming. Something good. And it's going to be great.” Stay tuned!

Judith Hatton, Citysearch