Top-notch musical relevant today
THE Playhouse Company is staging the original Jerome Robbins production of West Side Story in The Playhouse Opera Theatre from 20 November to 29 December, featuring music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
The multi-award winning South African creative team is headed by director, Ralph Lawson, with set and costume design by Sarah Roberts, choreographed by Adele Blank, lighting design by Michael Broderick, sound design by Trevor Peters and musical direction/repetiteur, Andrew Warburton.
The production will perform to live accompaniment by Africa’s premier orchestra, KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Lykele Temmingh (alternate conductor Naum Rousine).
Bernstein’s prolific score for the musical includes: I Feel Pretty, Tonight, Somewhere, Maria and America.
The story is set in the East 40s and West 50s of the Upper West Side neighbourhood in New York City in the mid-1950s, an ethnic, blue-collar neighbourhood.
The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre.
Bookings are open at Computicket and tickets may be also bought via the website.
Subsidised parking is available at The Royal Hotel, as well as the Albany Parking Garage.
