When West
Side Story opened in New York in 1957, it set new standards in musical
theatre and it continues to be one of the most successful musicals produced to
this day. This festive season it is once again being celebrated in a brand new
production by the Playhouse Company, in the Opera Theatre from November 22 to
December 29.
The story of two young people from
conflicting cultural backgrounds, who meet, fall in love and are ultimately torn
apart by racial intolerance and ignorance, is as pertinent as ever and provides
much food for thought on the subject of prejudice and ultimate reconciliation.
Commenting on the choice of West Side Story, the Playhouse Company's
Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Linda Bukhosini, said: “We are very
excited to be staging this all-time classic which showcases the exceptional
talent we have in our country. The cast comes from all over South Africa.”
The moving story unfolds to Leonard
Bernstein’s dynamic score and the immortal songs, penned by lyricist Stephen
Sondheim, include Tonight, Maria, America
and Somewhere. The production will
feature full orchestral accompaniment by Africa’s premier orchestra, the KZN
Philharmonic.
“The Playhouse Company prides itself on the
experience and expertise it has built up over the years to bring world class
productions to Durban,’’ added Bukhosini. “This involves the appointment of a
strong creative team to ensure the high standards are met from the first
audition to the final curtain.”
South African director, Ralph Lawson, is
well-known to audiences for his award-winning work both as an actor and a
director. His career spans four decades, with landmark roles ranging from
Shakespeare's Hamlet to Mozart in
Shaffer's Amadeus and the Narrator in
Sondheim's Into The Woods. Over the
years, he has worked with most theatre managements, from The Market to Pieter
Toerien Productions, the Baxter Theatre and Artscape, has taught widely and
been active in drama development programmes in Cape Town and Durban. Lawson has
enjoyed a long and illustrious association with The Playhouse having directed
the musicals Annie and The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady (Mercury
Durban Theatre Award – Best Director), Masterclass
(Mercury Durban Theatre Award - Best Director) and most recently Cinderella (Mercury Durban Theatre Award
– Best Director), where he followed his acclaimed performance as Prof. Higgins
in My Fair Lady (Mercury Durban
Theatre Award – Best Actor in a Musical) with an appearance in David Mamet's Race.
Speaking of the audition process, Lawson
said: “West Side Story presents
terrific challenges to the artists involved because the show demands dancing,
singing and acting ability of the highest standard from every cast member. Every
new version of the piece reproduces the choreography of the original New York
production, the orchestral score requires classically trained singers and the
dramatic story needs very convincing telling. So our auditions were strictly
geared to finding all three disciplines rolled into one performer: acting,
singing, dancing - the 'triple threat', as it's known in the business. The
process took us to Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town and we saw a lot of
talented young people. Then began the sifting process, a short list, more
auditions ... and I am now confident that we have the best cast we could have
wished for.”
Cape Town based soprano Ernestine Stuurman
and Clint Lesch, who recently appeared in Starlight
Express at the Joburg Civic, star as Maria and Tony, the ‘star-crossed
lovers’. With a host of musical, film and television credits and numerous
Naledi Awards, Sibu Radebe plays Chino, Maria’s betrothed, and Reg Hart appears
as the smouldering leader of the Sharks, Bernado.
The Jets’ leader, Riff, is played by born
and raised Durbanite Jarryd Nurden and Nurit Graf, recently seen in
Johannesburg, Cape Town and the Far East in DIRTY
DANCING, stars as Anita. Others in the cast include local favourites
Michael Gritten, Frank Graham, Mark Kay and Adam Doré.
Set and costume design is in the capable
hands of Sarah Roberts who has worked in theatre for more than three decades
designing for a variety of directors and choreographers, for which she has
received much local and international acclaim, and numerous awards. Notable
career achievements include designing the Broadway production of Sarafina! and Township Fever at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, in addition to
works presented at numerous European and American theatre Festivals. Her
attention to detail is seen in meticulous scale models and she is often seen,
paint brush in hand, personally applying the finishing touches to her striking
sets.
Christopher Kindo, as choreographer, takes
on the responsibility of recreating Jerome Robbins breath taking and matchless
choreography. Christopher has won various awards including the 1991 FNB Vita
award for Best Male Dancer.
Completing the creative team is lighting
designer, Michael Broderick, sound designer, Trevor Peters and musical director/répétiteur,
Andrew Warburton. The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra will be under the
baton of Maestro Lykele Temmingh and Naum Rousine, alternating duties. The
Playhouse Dance Residency dancers make up the bulk of the chorus line tasked
with performing the high energy choreography.
West
Side Story at The Playhouse comprises two previews
on November 20 and 21, followed by 36 performances which include Saturday and
Sunday matinees. Ticket prices range from R100 to R150, with concessions for
students and pensioners. Bookings at Computicket. Block booking and show &
function packages are also available at discounted rates and more information
is available at www.playhousecompany.com.
The South African production is made
possible by special arrangement with DALRO.
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