West Side Story at Kennedy Center Opera House

“West Side Story is indeed excellent on every level.” – The Berkshire Edge

A love that transcends the barriers of ethnicity, culture, and even death; chemistry that boils over; musical magic that thrills beyond belief; tragedy that bubbles just underneath the surface.

This is the masterpiece that brought about a turning point in musical theatre in the 1950s; it’s the musical that meets the scale and sheer power of opera; it’s the Broadway blockbuster that was so popular after its 1957-premiere that it was revived no less than eight times, had countless tours, has been adapted for film twice, and has been performed thousands of times around the globe – in fact, it is one of the most produced musicals in history. It’s a multi-award-winning theatrical experience that will leave its mark, no matter who you are, where you come from, or whether musicals are your thing or not. 

Oozing with staples in the musical theatre repertoire – from Something’s Coming and Maria to Tonight and America, from One Hand, One Heart and I Feel Pretty to Somewhere and A Boy Like That/I Have a Love – and some of the most thrilling, high-octane choreography you’ve ever seen, this one will get the adrenalin pumping, the hairs standing on end, the heart beating, and the soul flying. 

And now, nearly seven decades after its premiere, the world-renowned Washington National Opera Chorus in collaboration with the Washington National Orchestra, and with the brilliant direction of artistic director Francesca Zambello, are bound to retell the centuries-old tale about the star-cross’d lovers from the Upper West Side of Manhattan once more in what promises to be a spine-tingling, enthralling, and moving experience! Yes, Washington D.C., West Side Story is coming to the Kenny Centre Opera House this season!

West Side Story Tickets

Tickets are on sale now from the John F. Kennedy Centre Opera House’s box office, and due its popular demand, are bound to sell out soon – so make sure to get there as soon as you can to secure your seats! Alternatively, if you don’t want to risk missing out, you can simply click on the ‘Buy Tickets’ link now to be redirected to TicketSqueeze.com, the world’s most trustworthy and efficient online marketplace! With just a few clicks you’ll be able to secure the best seats in the house for you and yours – it doesn’t get easier than this!  

“The sheer visual excitement is breathtaking.” – New York Herald Tribune

SYNOPSIS

Arthur Laurents’ incredible book is a wonderful retelling of the world’s most iconic love story – William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Together with Leonard Bernstein’s thrilling music and Stephen Sondheim’s iconic lyrics, new life is breathed into the much-loved tale – set in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where an ongoing rivalry for dominance between two teenage gangs – one oozing with Latino machismo and the other with American chauvinism – is making life difficult in the already struggling neighborhood. 

When Tony, one of the Jets, sets eyes on the beautiful Maria, the sister of the Sharks leader, it is love at first sight – and as though adding fuel to the fire, the forbidden love that is taking hold in the slums of New York incites even more violence – and ultimately results in tragic consequences. 

West Side Story is one of those productions where you know how it’s bound to end, but yet, it hits deep every single time. From the high-octane choreography to the heart-rending score and the emotionally loaded storyline, West Side Story is thrilling, captivating, and superbly enthralling from the moment the lights go on until the curtain falls. 

“The subject is not beautiful. But what ‘West Side Story’ draws out of it is beautiful.” – The New York Times

CREATIVE TEAM

West Side Story was conceived by Jerome Robbins as a contemporary musical adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, and quickly unfolded into one of the world’s most iconic musicals. 

This season’s production of West Side Story has an exceptional creative team at the helm – and the result promises to be extraordinary. At the helm of it all is award-winning artistic director Francesca Zambello (Heart of a Soldier, Carmen, Emmeline, An American Tragedy, Show Boat, The Little Prince, The Little Mermaid, Porgy and Bess), and world-renowned conductors Marin Alsop and James Lowe. 

The extraordinary vision of the creative team is furthered by choreographer Joshua Bergasse (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I Married an Angel, Smash) and associate choreographer Kiira Carper (A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, Cats), alongside costume designer Jessica Jahn, set designer Peter J. Davison, lighting designer A.J. Guban, and sound designer Andrew Harper. 

“The striking new take on the much-loved romantic musical brings sharpness and showstopping choreography to the table.” – The Guardian

CAST

Audiences can look forward to a stellar cast stepping into the roles of some of musical theatre’s most iconic characters. The amount of sheer talent is set to thrill; the stage presence is mesmerizing; the vocal deliveries are pitch perfect, impeccable, and spinetingling. 

The role of Tony will be portrayed by Ryan McCartan (Heathers: The Musical, Wicked, Frozen, The Great Gatsby) and Maria by Shereen Pimentel (Dido and Aeneas, Cosi fan Tutti, Cats: The Jellicle Ball). The talents of the cast also include Taylor Harley as Riff, Amanda Castro as Anita, Yurel Echezarreta as Bernardo, and P. Tucker Worley as A-Rab. 

“The choreography that fills the show is, simply put, without flaw.” – Berkshire on Stage

HISTORY & LEGACY

The history of West Side Story goes back nearly eight decades, and its legacy will resound loudly, together with its profound, iconic score, for many decades to come. 

In 1949 Jerome Robbins conceptualized the idea of a contemporary musical production using Shakespeare’s legendary Romeo & Juliet as starting point, and with Leonard Bernstein’s timeless score, Stephen Sondheim’s unforgettable lyrics, and the profoundly moving book by Arthur Laurents, West Side Story premiered in September 1957 on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre, with direction and choreography by Jerome Robbins. 

Since then, the world has been fortunate to experience the magic of West Side Story in many theatres around the globe. To date, the musical has received two Theatre World Awards, three Tony Awards, and two Drama Desk Awards, among many nominations.  

“Scope, scale and drama all show up in abundance.” – KUNR Public Radio

THE KENNEDY CENTRE OPERA HOUSE

There are not one, but countless reasons why the John F. Kennedy Centre Opera House is renowned as one of the nation’s most iconic, most attended, and most beloved venues for all things world-class entertainment in North America. Apart from being the national cultural centre of the nation and a living memorial to John F. Kennedy, the venue has long been bringing the best of the best of all kinds of performance arts to Washington D.C. – from theatre and ballet to modern dance and opera, from classical performances and jazz to touring Broadway productions and pop music concerts. 

The John F. Kennedy Centre Opera House, the second-largest theatre within the centre, boasts an opulent red and gold interior and breathtaking Lobmeyr crystal chandelier, and is the perfect amalgamation of grandeur and stage-smart design. The venue features 2,364 luxurious seats across an orchestra floor, box tier, first and second tier. On top of this, every experience here is elevated to a next level due to the venue’s remarkable, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, pin-drop acoustics, incredible sight-lines, and fantastic amenities. 

“In this production, there are certainly many “Wow!” moments.” – Artshub