From October 2024, the Vienna Volksoper will present a new production of Leonard Bernstein’s timeless musical “West Side Story”.
The production, based on the iconic story of Romeo and Juliet, offers not only a musical masterpiece, but also a profound examination of issues such as racism, youth violence and unhappy love. With the combination of German and English, supplemented by surtitles, this performance promises to be a cultural highlight for a wide audience.
An everlasting story of love and conflict
"West Side Story" tells the gripping story of two rival gangs in New York City in the 1950s: the Jets, a gang of white Americans, and the Sharks, a group of Puerto Rican immigrants. Tony, a member of the Jets, and Maria, the sister of the leader of the Sharks, Bernardo, fall in love at first sight. However, their happiness is overshadowed by the hostile atmosphere between the two gangs. The conflict escalates when Tony kills Bernardo in revenge, leading to a tragic chain of events that threaten the lives of the two lovers.
The musical premiered in 1957 under the direction of Jerome Robbins and with choreography by Robbins himself. The music by Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics by Stephen Sondheim made the work an unmistakable classic of musical theater. The Vienna Volksoper is now taking over this iconic production and bringing it to the stage in a German-English version.
The production and its creative implementation
The Vienna Volksoper is bringing “West Side Story” to the stage in a new production that captures the distinctive atmosphere of 1950s New York while highlighting the musical’s universal themes. The dialogues will be translated into German by Marcel Prawy to ensure that the work remains accessible to a German-speaking audience, while the original English texts preserve the authenticity of the original.
The musical's plot unfolds in two acts and begins with a prologue that introduces the tensions between the Jets and the Sharks. The first scene sets the tone for the conflicts to come and introduces the central characters. The atmosphere of the Upper West Side, marked by social injustice and violence, forms the backdrop for the love story between Tony and Maria.
In the first act, viewers experience the tension and drama of the impending battle between the gangs as Tony and Maria fall in love. The second act intensifies the conflicts and shows the tragic consequences of the violence, leading to a tragic climax. The production emphasizes the emotional and social dimensions of the story through powerful performances and gripping musical numbers.
Musical highlights and choreographic brilliance
Leonard Bernstein's music is a central element of the production. Pieces such as "Something's Coming", "Tonight", "America" and "Somewhere" are not only musically demanding, but also deeply emotional and contribute significantly to the atmosphere of the musical. The choreography by Jerome Robbins, which is being reinterpreted at the Volksoper, remains a trademark of the piece. The dance performances reflect the dynamics and conflict of the plot and offer the audience visual highlights.
The musical's cast includes talented performers from the Volksoper ensemble who authentically embody the characters' complex emotions and conflicts. Special mention must be made of the actors in the lead roles of Tony and Maria, whose passionate performances bring the musical's central love story to life.
Performance dates and tickets
The performances are currently running and will take place regularly until December 11, 2024. The performance dates include both evening performances and special matinees in order to appeal to the widest possible audience. Tickets can be purchased via the Volksoper website or at the usual ticket offices.
Performances from October 2024 at the Volksoper Vienna:
- October 2, 2024, 19:00 p.m.
- October 7, 2024, 18:30 p.m.
- October 8, 2024, 11:00 p.m.
- October 12, 2024, 19:00 p.m.
- October 18, 2024, 19:00 p.m.
- October 23, 2024, 19:00 p.m.
- November 2024, 19:00 p.m.
- 12 November 2024, 19:00
- 17 November 2024, 18:00
- 19 November 2024, 19:00
- 24 November 2024, 11:00
- 24 November 2024, 19:00
- 29 November 2024, 19:00
- December 2024, 19:00 p.m.
- December 2024, 19:00 p.m.
- December 6, 2024, 19:00 p.m.
- December 11, 2024, 19:00 p.m.
The Vienna Volksoper is bringing "West Side Story" to the stage in a new, impressive production that is convincing both musically and dramaturgically. The combination of Leonard Bernstein's immortal music, Stephen Sondheim's moving texts and Jerome Robbins' visionary choreography promises an unforgettable theater experience. With the German-English language version and the careful treatment of the sensitive topics, the Volksoper is setting a significant cultural accent and offering both lovers of the classic musical and new viewers an outstanding performance.
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