West Side Story

May 15 – 30, 2015

West Side Story

This is an exceptional musical based on a conception of Jerome Robbins, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  As far as songs are concerned this show has a number of favourites including: ‘Tonight’, ‘Maria’, ‘America’, ‘Jets Song’, ‘I Feel Pretty’, and ‘Officer Krupke’.

When it was first directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins in 1957 it was recognised as being the modern day version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  Set on the West Side of New York City, this musical picks up on the passion and aggression of two gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, as they try to take control of their neighbourhood.  In this environment a lifetime can last forty-eight hours, and that is the timespan of this story – a story that revolves around the two gangs and the ‘love at first sight’ relationship between Maria and Tony, who unfortunately come from opposite sides of the street.  While the show was ‘modern’ in the late fifties, the story rings just as true today – covering themes such as peer group pressure, gang behaviour, racial prejudice, young love, and the misguided actions of youth who only see violence as a means to an end.  This is a show that has a great music score and, through its cleverly structured story, takes you to a place that most of us don’t want our young adults to experience.

Cast:
TonyRewi Pakinga
MariaStephanie Quaglia
The Jets
RiffPhil O’Connor
GraziellaParis Hambridge
ActionJordan Jansons
ClariceHelen Bell
DieselMax Hearn-Sarchfield
VelmaJemima Seal
Baby JohnMitchell Hawkins
Anybody’sEmily Daniel
Big DealRiley Dolahenty
PaulineChristine Wilson
ArabLiam Dailly
The Sharks
BernadoAdam Garden
AnitaSarah Aylen
ChinoAlex Fisher
RosaliaRaelene Buecker
PepeJackson Eagles
ConsuelaKeira Glasgow-McLean
InioCameron Pracy
FranciscaBrooke Stephens
LuisAndreas Cavanna
TeresitaLaura Murdocca
The Adults
Lieutenant SchrankAndrew McLean
Office KrupkeBen Wilson-Hill
DocIan McLean
Glad HandDaryl Osborne
Production Team:
DirectorEddie Bruce
Musical DirectorLeo Dent
ChoreographerKate O’Neill
Christina O’Neill
Fight CoordinatorPhil O’Connor
Stage ManagerMarvyn Lenders
Costume CoordinatorsJulie Scargill
Judy Clarke
Lighting DesignIan Hardstaff
Lighting and SoundJohn Nawotka
Kate Gandy
Julian Floriano
Follow Spot OperatorDavid Williams
DMS Ensemble:
ViolinEmmanuelle Fonsny
Elisabetta Sonego
James Palethorpe
CelloKaren Cortez
BassPeter Tesoriero
WoodwindsJessica Wood
Gemma Rolf
Nicole Brice
KeyboardKelvin Hui
TrumpetAndrew Hamblin
PercussionMatthew Moody