Opera Scotland

West Side Story

Tours by decade

Tours by location

Music

Leonard Bernstein

Book

Arthur Laurents

Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim

Source

Based on a Conception of Jerome Robbins, derived from the play Romeo and Juliet (William Shakespeare).

 

Premieres

First Performance: New York (Winter Garden Theater), 26 September 1957.

First Performance in UK: London (Her Majesty's Theatre), 12 December 1958. 

First Performance in Scotland: tbc.

 

Background

'Entire Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Jerome Robbins.' And that is how it was performed in 1957 and ever after until the Bernstein Estate recently removed the embargo on alternative productions. Other readings are now possible, so a show that was at risk of becoming dated can be renewed.

 

Main Characters

Riff, leader of the Jets (baritone/dancer)

Tony, Riff's friend (tenor)

Bernardo, leader of the Sharks (baritone/dancer)

Maria, Bernardo's sister (soprano)

Anita, Bernardo's girl (mezzo-soprano/dancer)