I love live performances of any magnitude, from intimate shows hosted in the lounges of friend’s homes, to the grand scale of a showy stage at the theatre or playhouse. All thrill me to the core and most often, move me to emotion. Ballet, opera and musicals being my favourites. Tonight I head to Artscape to watch the fabulous West Side Story.
West Side Story, the Fugard Theatre’s epic out-of-house production is back for a final South African season at the Artscape Opera House and has extended by popular demand, which means I get to go tonight and not miss out. The highly acclaimed show opened again on 7 March to rave reviews and five-star ratings and has once again taken Cape Town by storm. It will now run to 22 April 2018, don’t miss out.
Some of the reviews state: “…the kind of show that uplifts and offers grand optimism” – Cape Times. “Dynamic choreography, beguiling familiar melodies…shrewd direction…impressive staging” – Cape Argus Tonight. When I saw it a few years ago I was left uplifted, my emotions in turmoil, elation and relief as the cast took me through the motions with their brilliance. Tonight I have no doubt, will be no different.
More about West Side Story
West Side Story takes inspiration from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and is set in New York City’s Upper West Side in the late 1950s. The tale follows the heart-breaking, short-lived love story of two young and idealistic lovers, Tony and Maria, who are caught between two warring street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. An exceptional cast of forty, led by US-born Kevin Hack as Tony, Lynelle Kenned as Maria, Bianca Le Grange as Anita, Daniel Richards as Bernardo, Stephen Jubber as Riff, Craig Urbani as Shrank and James Borthwick as Doc, takes audiences on a riveting theatrical journey each night with vibrant dance sequences, stirring dramatic scenes and iconic songs such as “Maria”, “I Feel Pretty” and “Tonight.”
This is West Side Story as it has never been seen before and it is blowing Capetonians away with the spectacular set and costume design, sound design and lighting. It is a high impact, grand scale show that marries the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim with Leonard Bernstein’s score, magnificently played by the full Cape Town Philharmonic under the baton of musical director Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, with the award-winning team behind other superb Fugard Theatre productions such as The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret and Funny Girl at the creative helm, including Matthew Wild as director and Louisa Talbot as the choreographer. The same team will once again come together in 2019 for the Fugard Theatre’s production of Kinky Boots, which will have it’s South African Premiere.
The Essential Details
West Side Story is at the Artscape Opera House until 22 April 2018 with performances from Tuesdays to Fridays at 8pm, on Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm and on Sundays at 2pm and 6pm. Ticket prices range from R150 to R470 are available through Artscape on 0214217695, Computicket on 08619158000 and any Shoprite or Checkers outlets and the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554. Discounts for Friends of the Fugard and tickets for the general public are also available via the Fugard Theatre box office on 0214614554.
If you’re on social media and want to share the love, use these hashtags and handles #WestSideStorySA #ArtscapeTheatre @FugardTheatre, with the cast @Biancalegrange @Kyevbudd @lynelle_kenned and at @artscapetheatre.
2 Responses
Would love to show this to my pupils. Isn’t their a CD of this available, as we are in the rural area.?
Hey there. Thank you for your comment, it truly is an extraordinary show. My suggestion is that you email the PR Allison Foat at allison@divapr.co.za and ask about a video, There may well be one.