One of my favorite artistic collaborations – West Side Story (Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents), is coming back to the Israeli Opera this week, with performances from October 31 – November 9, 2013.
It’s been over 50 years since Maria and Tony first sang and danced their way into our hearts, but West Side Story remains as moving, entertaining and as socially relevant as the day it premiered.
Joey McKneely brings an exciting spark to this revival production, remaining faithful to the original choreography, yet imbuing it with a more contemporary, grittier feel. This production was first performed at the Israeli Opera in 2009. Talking to director/choreographer McKneely at that time about his approach to the musical, he said that the look had evolved over the years into a “Fifties museum that looked like “Grease” with poodle skirts and slicked back hair,” whereas for McKneely, the emphasis is not on reviving West Side Story as a period piece, but rather looking at its timeless qualities: “This is a story with so much heart, emotion and drama.”
McKneely’s directing heightens the social issues within the musical: gang wars, racial tension, gender issues and the contrast between the dream and reality of immigration; in a production that is both entertaining and thought provoking. Beautiful, exciting, funny and romantic, the songs, dance sequences, and the youthful energy of the cast capture the heart and imagination.
The performance is in English with a Hebrew translation by Ehud Manor project in surtitles. An hour before each performance there will be an introductory lecture on West Side Story, entrance to the lecture is free for ticket holders. Tickets are 175/237/378/428 NIS; and may be ordered online www.israel-opera.co.il, or call: 03-692777.
Performances: October 31st at 20:00; November 1st at 13:00 & 21:00; November 2nd at 16:00 & 20:30; November 4th at 20:00; November 5th at 20:00; November 6th at 20:00; November 7th at 20:00; November 8th at 13:00 & 21:00; November 9th at 16:00.
West Side Story
Book by Arthur Laurents
Lyrics Stephen Sondheim
Original production directed by Jerome Robbins
Conductor Donald Chan
Director and Choreographer Joey McKneely
Set Designer Paul Gallis
Costume Designer Renate Schmitzer
Lighting Designer Peter Halbsgut
Soloists:
Maria Rachel Zatcoff
Jessica Soza
Tony Thaddeus Pearson
Anthony Festa
Anita Penelope Armstead-Williams
Bernardo Pepe Munoz
Riff Mark MacKillop
Doc Doug Rees
Officer Krupke Mel Shrawder
Chino Nick Nerio
Lt. Schrank John Wojda
Glad Hand Eric Rolland
Action Luke Hawkins
A-Rab Matthew Couvillon
Diesel Andrew Purcell
Baby John Michael Bullard
Snow Baby Beau Middlebrook
Geetar Nicholas Sipes
Big Deal Brandon Patrick Stonestreet
Pepe Charles South
Indio Christian Elan Ortiz
Luis Adam Soniak
Anxious Michael Bishop
Nibbles Travante Semale Baker
Moose Armando Yearwood Jr.
Graziella Christie Portera
Velma Dominique DeNinis
Minnie Alexa de Barr
Clarice Blue Cervini
Anybodys Hannah Balagot
Pauline Melanie Wildman
Rosalia Leslie Jackson
Consuela Na Tonia Monet
Teresita Natalie M. Williams
Francisca Tiffany Mellard
Estella Sheridan Mouawad
Margarita Naomie C. Walley
Dance Captain Mitchell Woodcock
The Opera Orchestra – The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion
Surtitles in Hebrew
Translation: Ehud Manor
