West Side Story

Young lovers are caught between prejudice and warring street gangs in this classic retelling of Romeo and Juliet.

The world’s greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theater’s finest accomplishments. From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to New York City in the 1950s, where two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time.

Arthur Laurents’ book remains as powerful, poignant, and timely as ever, and the score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is widely regarded as one of the best ever written, and highlights the talents of a diverse young ensemble cast with an exciting, sophisticated score that features unforgettable songs (“Tonight,” “Maria,” “Something’s Coming,” “I Feel Pretty”) that have become part of the nation’s musical heritage.

This Ordway production will be brought to life through a collaboration with Teatro del Pueblo, designed to deepen the impact of the arts through a series of activities that build equitable relationships, lift communities, and engage diverse artists in professional development and relationship building. The work creates a new paradigm that builds on the commitment of Taking Our Place Centerstage.

Accessible Performances 

Open Captioning

Thursday, April 13, 2017 | 7:30 PM 

 ASL and Audio Description

Saturday, April 15, 2017 | 2 PM Get Tickets >

Recommended Music Theater seating locations for ASL-Interpreted performances (subject to availability):

• ORCHESTRA RIGHT, ROW G, SEATS 307-310
• ORCHESTRA RIGHT, ROW H, SEATS 308-311
• ORCHESTRA RIGHT, ROW J, SEATS 309-312

An Ordway Production

Cast

Based on a Conception of Jerome Robbins
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Entire Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Jerome Robbins

Directed by Bob Richard
Choreographed by Diane Laurenson
Musical Direction by Raymond Berg

Produced by Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Jamie Grant, President and CEO
James A. Rocco, Producing Artistic Director
in collaboration with
Teatro del Pueblo
Alberto Justiniano, Artistic Director

Ordway Pre-Show Extras

A Conversation with Alexander Bernstein

Wednesday, April 5 & Thursday,  April 6
6:30 – 7 PM | Target Atrium

Listen in as Ordway’s VP of Programming and Producing Artistic Director, James A. Rocco, reminisces with composer Leonard Berstein’s son, Alexander Berstein, about the creation of  the musical and its impact on the family and the genre of musical theater.

Puerto Rico and the U.S. — through the prism of West Side Story

Wednesday, April 12
6:30 – 7 PM | Target Atrium

Labor leader, activist, podcaster, writer, and storyteller, Javier Morillo will lead a performance/lecture on the definition of identity and nationality as communicated in the classic musical.

Post-Show Talk-Back

Wednesday, April 12
Post-show | Target Atrium

After the Wednesday night Musical Theater Series performance and each Dance Series performance, audiences are invited to join members of the show’s cast, creative team, and dance company members in the Target Atrium for a 20 minute Q & A “Talk-Back”.

Pop-Up Lobby Pre-Show & Intermission Entertainment

Thursday, April 13

Pre-Show & Intermission
Viviana Pintado

Friday, April 14

Pre-Show & Intermission
Viviana Pintado

Saturday, April 15 Matinee

Pre-Show & Intermission
Local youth choir

Saturday, April 15 Evening

Pre-Show & Intermission
Viviana Pintado

Sunday, April 16

Pre-Show & Intermission
Local youth choir