Washington National Opera: West Side Story
Love divided by a turf war… chemistry that sizzles… tragedy that looms. When four of the greatest American icons of the 20th century took on Shakespeare’s story of star-crossed lovers, it became a Broadway blockbuster. Now, the story and spectacle of West Side Story meets the scale and power of opera for a retelling you won’t forget!
Artistic Director Francesca Zambello’s “expansive” (Chicago Tribune) production follows young lovers Maria and Tony as tensions rise between the Sharks and the Jets. Your favorite musical moments are here—from the tender “Tonight” to the enduring “Somewhere”—performed by a world-class cast and the Washington National Opera Orchestra.
With dazzling original Jerome Robbins choreography set on the streets of New York and “thrilling injections of dynamism and adrenaline” (Chicago Sun-Times), this West Side Story gets the starry treatment that only Washington National Opera can offer. West Side Story is a co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The performances, a centerpiece of WNO’s landmark 70th Anniversary season, will feature accompaniment by the Washington National Opera Orchestra conducted by internationally renowned Marin Alsop, Music Director Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (May 8-9), and Grammy Award®-nominated James Lowe (May 10), with the original choreography of Jerome Robbins.
