CHICAGO – The Chicago premiere of Lyric’s new co-production of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece West Side Story features nearly 100 artists from Chicago and across the country. Performances of the grand-scale musical run at the Lyric Opera House from May 3 – June 2, 2019 . Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at lyricopera.org or by calling 312-827-5600.
The supporting cast for West Side Story includes artists who have performed on and off Broadway, at Lyric, and around the country. The Lyric stage will be transformed into the streets of New York City when—along with the leading cast members announced earlier this year, Corey Cott (Tony), Mikaela Bennett (Maria), Brett Thiele (Riff), Amanda Castro (Anita) and Manuel Stark Santos (Bernardo)—a stellar ensemble of singers, dancers and actors will perform the romantic and moving story of Tony and Maria. James Lowe will conduct members of the Lyric Opera Chorus and Orchestra.
The talented supporting cast for West Side Story includes: Adam Soniak (Action), Taylor Simmons (A-rab), Jarred Manista (Baby John), Callan Bergmann (Snowboy), Jeffrey C. Sousa (Diesel), Wesley Ryan (Big Deal), Paul HeeSang Miller (Gee-tar), Juan Caballer (Tiger), Alexa Magro (Anybodys), Alyssa Sarnoff (Pauline), Veronica Sofia Burt (Velma), Julio Rey (Chino), Mark Deler (Pepe), Joshua Lamar (Indio), Michael J. Rios (Nibbles), Sebastian Garcia (Toro), Linedy Genao (Rosalia), Addie Morales (Francisca), Alexandra Matteo (Consuelo), Kayla Moniz (Teresita), Antonia Raye (Estella), and Carolina Villaraos (Margarita).
Chicago-based cast members include: Kyra Sorce (Graziella), Paige Fraser (Minnie), Shannon Alvis (Clarice), Joseph A. Hernandez (Luis), Greg Blackmon (Anxious), Martín Ortiz Tapia (Juano), David Alan Anderson (Doc), Bret Tuomi (Lt. Schrank), Jerry Kernion (Officer Krupke), and Ed Kross (Glad Hand).
Members of the Lyric Opera Chorus performing in West Side Story include: Desirée Hassler, Maia Surace, Corinne Wallace-Crane, Sherry Watkins, Michelle Wrighte, Hoss Brock, Matthew Carroll, William M. Combs, Tyler Samuel Lee, Kenneth Nichols, Ronald Watkins and Nikolas Wenzel.
West Side Story is a coproduction with Houston Grand Opera and Glimmerglass Festival. It is directed by Francesca Zambello, internationally acclaimed opera and theater director. Zambello—who also serves as the artistic director of the Glimmerglass Festival and Washington National Opera—returns to Lyric for the first time since the premiere of her production of Show Boat (2011/12). She has also directed Lyric productions of Tristan und Isolde (2008/09) and Salome (2006/07).
West Side Story will feature the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, recreated for Lyric by Julio Monge. Set designs are by Peter J. Davison, with costumes designed by Jessica Jahn and lighting designed by Mark McCullough. Mark Grey is sound designer and Michael Black is chorus master.
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