With ground breaking choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, The Production Company presents West Side Story at Arts Centre Melbourne for a limited season from 11 July 2015.
“West Side Story is one of the most loved musicals of all time,” says Jeanne Pratt, Chairman of The Production Company. “It’s the best musical ever written and the ideal show to celebrate our outstanding achievement in producing 50 musicals since 1999.”
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is set on New York’s Upper West Side in the mid-1950s where racial and social tensions run high. Considered a ground-breaking musical for its time, it has remained a poignant, provocative and emotionally devastating piece of theatre for over half a century. Dark in tone and content, the show is flush with many of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein’s most famous compositions, including Maria, America, Somewhere and Tonight – offering audiences a richly layered score.
For this large scale musical, The Production Company has brought together some wonderful Australian talent, many of whom have also enjoyed outstanding successes on Broadway and London’s West End.
Anna O’Byrne takes on the role of Maria. A Melbourne artist working in London, Anna’s recent role include Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera on London’s West End. Performing the role of Tony, Gareth Keegan, returns to The Production Company following success as Gaylord Ravenal in Show Boat (2014) and as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance (2013).
With international credits include A Chorus Line on Broadway and We Will Rock You on London’s West End, Deone Zanotto will perform Anita. Adam Fiorentino whose US credits include Bert in Mary Poppins on Broadway and TV’s hit show 30ROCK, will perform the role of Bernardo. Sean Mulligan whose recent credits include Jersey Boys and Legally Blonde both on London’s West End, takes on the role of Riff.
Also starring Neil Melville (Party Tricks, Les Miserables) as Detective Schrank, Tony Rickards ( Winners and Losers) as Doc, Glaston Toft (Guys and Dolls, Jersey Boys) as Glad Hand, Rob Tripolino (La Cage Aux Folles, Ned) as Chino, and Dean Vince (Show Boat, King Kong) as Officer Krupke.
Acclaimed theatre director, Gale Edwards (Aida – Sydney Harbour, Chess) returns to The Production Company to direct this electrifying piece of musical drama. Eminent musical theatre conductor, Guy Simpson, fresh from supervising The Phantom of the Opera in Istanbul, is Musical Director. Jerome Robbins’ original choreography will be recreated by Michael Ralph. They are joined by Academy Award winner and Tony Award winner – Tim Chappel (Costumes), Shaun Gurton (Set) and Trudy Dalgleish (Lighting) to design this undoubted masterpiece.
West Side Story
State Theatre – Arts Centre Melbourne. 100 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season: 11 – 19 July 2015
Bookings: 1300 182 183 or online at: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
For more information, visit: www.theproductioncompany.com.au for details.
Image: courtesy of The Production Company