West Side Story opens in less than a month

World's greatest dance musical
Zurich, Dublin, Dubai, Istanbul, Prague, Frankfurt, Munich and Hong Kong …. next stop: AUCKLAND

WORLD TOUR LANDS IN NZ IN FOUR WEEKS

Featuring outstanding all-American cast

The electrifying classic WEST SIDE STORY is ready to set the Auckland stage ablaze with an outstanding all-American cast, many of whom come direct from Broadway, when the musical premieres at The Civic theatre in less than a month’s time.

The 32-strong cast -- chosen at auditions held at Pearl Studios New York City – will stun audiences with their impassioned high-energy dance routines and astounding vocal range in such classic songs as Maria, Tonight, Somewhere, America and I Feel Pretty.

Featuring a live orchestra of 21 world-class musicians -- personally selected by Maestro Donald Chan who has been musical director and conductor of this show more than 3000 times – WEST SIDE STORY is deservedly described as the “No. 1 greatest musical of all time” (The Times, UK).

Inspired by Shakespeare’s tumultuous love story Romeo and Juliet, and set amidst the vicious rivalry of teenage gangs in 1950s New York, WEST SIDE STORY’s ground-breaking choreography by Jerome Robbins and unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein changed the face of musical theatre for ever when it burst onto the Broadway stage in 1957.

This new production of WEST SIDE STORY is as daring, realistic and relevant today as it was on the day of its premiere.

The show will celebrate its arrival in New Zealand with a star-studded gala evening at The Civic on Thursday, 22 June and will remain in Auckland for just 11 days - 14 performances only. The season is expected to sell out, as it has in Paris, London, Beijing, Tokyo, and a number of other cities around the world. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster. Packages and children's prices are also available.

This dance spectacular features the original choreography of Jerome Robbins, under the direction of Joey McKneely who learned his craft from Robbins himself as a dancer in WEST SIDE STORY. This is the only production currently showing and dancing the original choreography and is the very first time it will be performed in New Zealand.

In a sweltering New York summer, the boys from the Upper West Side neighbourhood are on the prowl. Ready to explode at any moment they dance with their girls, the air vibrating with the rhythms of mambo, rock ‘n’ roll and jazz. They belong to two enemy street gangs ruling the immigrant quarter – the Jets and the Sharks – and a clash is imminent. The Jets, sons of previous immigrants to America, are fighting the new arrivals from Puerto Rico, the Sharks, for domination of the streets in the area. Among them, Tony, a Jet, and Maria, sister to the leader of the Sharks, fall in love.

Former Les Miserables principal Kevin Hack takes on the role of Tony. Kevin has had a substantial repertoire of roles: as well as being nominated for a NJACT Award for his portrayal of Enjolras in Les Misèrables in the US, his role as Captain Billy Pierce in The Civil War earned him a nomination for “Best Lead Actor”. Kevin has also played Gabe in Next to Normal and has participated in The Broadway Concert: Live, where he shared a stage with Broadway superstars.

Jenna Burns reprises her role as Maria, who catches Tony’s eye and wins his heart. Jenna lives in New York and is delighted to return to the world of WEST SIDE STORY having recently played the role of Maria at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida. Further professional engagements include Cinderella in Into the Woods, Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde the musical.

Anita will be played by Keely Beirne, who has been dreaming of playing the iconic role since she was introduced to the show when she was six years old. Beirne has acted in numerous US touring productions, including After Midnight, Memphis and Smokey Joe’s Cafe, where she performed the role of Brenda.

Broadway’s Waldemar Quinones-Villanueva assumes the role of Bernardo, leader of the Sharks; Quinones-Villanueva has been involved in this production of WEST SIDE STORY from the very beginning, having performed in the show on Broadway and during its first US tour. His large repertoire includes parts in Zorba, Man of La Mancha, Billy Elliot and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He has performed in renowned opera houses and has worked with prominent dance companies. His work in front of the camera includes Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the Billboard Music Awards and the Grammy Awards.

Lance Hayes will be playing Riff, leader of the Jets and Bernardo’s nemesis. Hayes has recently toured the US with Disney‘s Beauty and the Beast. He has also performed at many US regional houses, in shows that include Disney‘s Mary Poppins, The Producers, The Little Mermaid and Carrie: The Musical.

Doc is being played by Dennis Holland, a New Yorker who performed in Music Man with Dick Van Dyke, both on Broadway and its US tour, and was then offered the role of Detective John Wolfe in the TV series One Life to Live. His performance in Parade was nominated for a Barrymore Award and his portrayal of William Maldon in Rope won him the award for “Best Actor” at the Venus Adonis Festival in New York. His film career includes parts in films such as Concurrence, which was shown at the 2016 Film Festival in Cannes. Having recorded more than 200 books, Dennis is a successful audio book reader who won the AudioFile Earphone Award in 2012.

Lt. Shrank is played by Michael Scott, a seasoned Broadway performer whose work includes parts in 110 in the Shade, Follies, Showboat, Pirates of Penzance, Happy New Year and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He toured the US with Guys and Dolls, Showboat and Camelot, and also played parts in Plaza Suite, Deathtrap, Stormy Weather, Healing Wars, 1776, Chicago, La Cage aux Folles, 42nd Street, Little Shop of Horrors, Buddy and Madama Butterfly. Michael’s work in front of the camera includes One Life to Live, Stella and Proud.

Officer Krupke is played by Kenn Christopher whose credits include Les Misèrables, Catch Me If You Can, Peter Pan and Next to Normal.

WEST SIDE STORY has been produced three times on Broadway, twice in London’s West End, and enjoyed numerous US, UK and international tours over the last 60 years. The movie version, released in 1961, went on to win an incredible 10 Oscars (including Best Picture) and further cemented the reputation of this undoubted masterpiece.

Don’t miss your chance to see this celebrated production of the greatest Broadway musical of all time.

“IF YOU BUY ONE TICKET, MAKE IT THIS ONE” – The Observer (UK)
“THIS IS A SHOW THAT TRULY HAS IT ALL. BLAZINGLY UNDIMINISHED” - The Sunday Express (UK)
“QUITE SIMPLY A MASTERPIECE” – London Evening Standard (UK)
“IT’S A FABULOUS, EMOTIONALLY POWER-PACKED REVIVAL” – London Evening Standard (UK)

BB Promotion GmbH in association with Sundance Productions, Inc. NY, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises and Auckland Live present a Michael Brenner production.

© Scoop Media