Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night WEST SIDE STORY at Barrington Stage Co.

The streets of Pittsfield, (more precisely Barrington Stage Co's Boyd Quinson Mainstage on Union Street) became the streets of 1957 New York City as one of the greatest Broadway Shows of all time, West Side Story had it's opening night performance. Nowadays you don't have gangs fighting on Pittsfield streets but you do have theater goers fighting to get into the many productions of Barrington Stage Co. and the sold out season at Mr. (Bill) Finn's Cabaret.

BroadwayWorld was there for the exciting evening. Check out the photos below.

For this Barrington Stage presentation, artistic director and founder Julianne Boyd took on the directing chores and faithfully recreated all the glory of the original Jerome Robbins production. The first standing ovation by the opening night audience was before the show started for Julianne Boyd during her pre show introduction.

West Side Story is based on conception by Jerome Robbins, with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The production is choreographed by Robert La Fosse, directed by Julianne Boyd (BSC's Company, BSC's American Son), with music direction by Darren R. Cohen.

The world's greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern day New York City as two young 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, relevant and deeply moving musicals of our time.

West Side Story will be presented in celebration of the 100th birthdays of Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins. The entire original production ofWest Side Story was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.

Starring in a new production of West Side Story will be Addie Morales (West Side Story, Casa Mañana Theatre) as "Maria," Will Branner (October Sky, The Old Globe Theatre) as "Tony," Skyler Volpe (Rent National Tour) as "Anita," Sean Ewing (Broadway's Amazing Grace) as "Bernardo," Tyler Hanes (Broadway's Cats) as "Riff," Alex Swift (The Wizard of Oz National Tour) as "Chino," Juan Caballer (Evita, Asolo Rep Theatre) as "Action," Douglas Rees (BSC The Cake) as Schrank/Gladhand," Gordon Stanley (Broadway'sRagtime; BSC's On The Town) as "Doc," and Christopher Tucci (Lincoln Speaks, Chesterwood) as "Krupke.", Abbey Hunt (Promises, Promises, Stages St. Louis) as "Velma"

Rounding out the cast is Abbey Hunt (Promises, Promises, Stages St. Louis) as "Velma," Julio Catano-Yee (The Addams Family National Tour) as "Pepe," Jerusha Cavazos ("Atlanta") as "Consuela," Linedy Genao (Broadway's On Your Feet!) as "Rosalia," Hannah Balagot (West Side StoryInternational Tour) as "Anybodys," Michael Pesko (Guys and Dolls, Fulton Theatre) as "Diesel," Dylan Gabriel Hoffinger (Soul Doctor, Lyceum Theatre) as "Baby John," Kyle Coffman (Broadway's Newsies the Musical) as "A-Rab," Raynor Rubel (Saturday Night Fever, Westchester Broadway) as "Snowboy/Big Deal," Kelly Loughran (Fame - The Musical National Tour) as "Graziella," Jennifer Gruener (Trip of Love) as "Pauline," Tamrin Goldberg (Oklahoma!, Goodspeed Musicals) as "Francisca," Magdalena Rodriguez (In the Heights, The Engeman Theater) as "Teresita," Sarah Crane (Saturday Night Fever, Walnut Street Theatre) as "Minnie/Margarita," Danny Bevins (The New World, Bucks County Playhouse) as "Indio," Antony Sanchez (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Norwegian Cruise Line) as "Nibbles," and Brandon Keith Rogers (42nd Street, The Palace Theatre).

West Side Story has scenic design by Kristen Robinson, costume design by Sara Jean Tosetti, lighting design by David Lander, sound design by Matthew Kraus. Associate Choreographer: Nicholas Garr. Fight choreographer: Ryan Winkles. Casting by Pat McCorkle. Production Stage Manager: Renee Lutz.

Article & Photos by: Stephen Sorokoff