West Side Story 2018 - Articles Page 800.2

Experience forbidden love, fierce family loyalties, and the ruthless feud between the Sharks and the Jets through the iconic music of West Side Story! Bernstein’s legendary, Broadway-shaping musical interpretation of Romeo & Juliet with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim comes to life in concert performances as part of a nationwide celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday year.

Featured soloists include a "who's who" of Broadway favorites: Corey Cott as Tony (Broadway’s Newsies and Bandstand), Solea Pfeiffer as Maria (Eliza in Hamilton tour), Krysta Rodriguez as Anita (Ana Vargas of Smash), Ephraim Sykes as Riff (Seaweed in NBC’s 2016 live production of Hairspray Live!), and Joel Perez as Bernardo (Broadway’s Fun Home).

This NSO presentation will be lightly staged, with theatrical lighting and costumes, and is conducted by NSO Pops Principal Conductor Steven Reineke, with direction by Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello and assistant director Eric Sean Fogel. The visual designers are S. Katy Tucker and Mark McCullough, while Lynly Saunders designed the costumes.