Performance Dates
1 Oct 2005 – 15 Oct 2005October 2005
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1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15 October
Details
- Playwright
- Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Entire Original Production Directed And Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold
- Director
- and Choreographed by Tamara Finch, Musical Director Andrew Leach
AddressBesen Performing Arts Centre, Station Street, BURWOOD
When Broadway legend Jerome Robbins conceptualised the idea of musicalising Romeo and Juliet within the context of contemporary New York City gangs, he approached librettist Arthur Laurents with the idea. The two then joined forces with musical genius Leonard Bernstein and, making his Broadway debut, a 27 year old Stephen Sondheim provided the lyrics to create the now-legendary West Side Story.
Opening in 1957, West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre forever. In 1961 it was transferred to the screen and went on to net, not only huge box office returns, but 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Set in the late fifties in the urban slums of upper west side Manhattan, New York, this is an energetic, melodramatic musical. A modern-day, loose re-telling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet tragedy - a boy and a girl from opposing sides fall in love and there begins their tragic fight for survival.
The show reworks the traditional love story and translates it to include the growing menace of gang warfare or "juvenile delinquency" as it was then known. Highlighting the racial strife created by clashes between rival New York street gangs - THE JETS (second-generation Americans from white European immigrant families) and THE SHARKS (newly-arrived Puerto Rican immigrants) and the battle over their share of turf.
The gangs of that time were much less well armed than today's, and the tight controls around stage and film production in the fifties forced the libretto to use somewhat censored language (somewhat dated now, but fairly hip then), so that the modern viewer may be tempted to look at this story of gang warfare as somewhat innocent and naive. But at a deeper level, the hatreds and frustrations articulated here are authentic reflections of an ongoing tragedy.
The well known story of the star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria and the outside forces of friends, enemies, gang members and adults keep them from fulfilling their dream of everlasting happiness due to hatred and bigotry.
October 1st - 15th 8.00pm Matinee performances on Sunday 2nd and 9th commence at 2.00pm
TICKET PRICES: Adults $33, Concession $29, Children 16 and under $22. Group bookings also available.
Discount ticket prices for Preferential Mailing List customers.
Special discounts for Schools and Community Groups.
Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Entire Original Production Directed And Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince By Arrangement with Roger L. Stevens by arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International
Information about Whitehorse Musical Theatre can be located at our website www.whitehorsemusical.com.au
Opening in 1957, West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre forever. In 1961 it was transferred to the screen and went on to net, not only huge box office returns, but 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Set in the late fifties in the urban slums of upper west side Manhattan, New York, this is an energetic, melodramatic musical. A modern-day, loose re-telling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet tragedy - a boy and a girl from opposing sides fall in love and there begins their tragic fight for survival.
The show reworks the traditional love story and translates it to include the growing menace of gang warfare or "juvenile delinquency" as it was then known. Highlighting the racial strife created by clashes between rival New York street gangs - THE JETS (second-generation Americans from white European immigrant families) and THE SHARKS (newly-arrived Puerto Rican immigrants) and the battle over their share of turf.
The gangs of that time were much less well armed than today's, and the tight controls around stage and film production in the fifties forced the libretto to use somewhat censored language (somewhat dated now, but fairly hip then), so that the modern viewer may be tempted to look at this story of gang warfare as somewhat innocent and naive. But at a deeper level, the hatreds and frustrations articulated here are authentic reflections of an ongoing tragedy.
The well known story of the star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria and the outside forces of friends, enemies, gang members and adults keep them from fulfilling their dream of everlasting happiness due to hatred and bigotry.
October 1st - 15th 8.00pm Matinee performances on Sunday 2nd and 9th commence at 2.00pm
TICKET PRICES: Adults $33, Concession $29, Children 16 and under $22. Group bookings also available.
Discount ticket prices for Preferential Mailing List customers.
Special discounts for Schools and Community Groups.
Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Entire Original Production Directed And Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince By Arrangement with Roger L. Stevens by arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International
Information about Whitehorse Musical Theatre can be located at our website www.whitehorsemusical.com.au
Bookings
This production has concluded. Contact details are not available for past events.