Stellar Cast Announced for The Fugard Theatre's WEST SIDE STORY at the Joburg Theatre in January 2017

Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre's grand-scale, smash hit, all South African production of WEST SIDE STORY will be presented at the The Joburg Theatre Complex's Mandela Theatre from 24 January 2017. The Johannesburg season of the show follows a staggeringly successful, sold-out run at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town last year, WEST SIDE STORY was the Fugard Theatre's first out-of-house production, five years after the theatre's official launch in 2010.

WEST SIDE STORY, Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim's musical theatre masterpiece, is based on an original conception of Jerome Robbins and is arguably one of the world's greatest musicals. Inspired by William Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET, the tale is set in the Upper West Side neighbourhood of New York City in the mid-1950s. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two street gangs of different backgrounds. Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang leader, Riff, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The sophisticated music, extended dance scenes and the focus on social conflict marked a turning point in American musical theatre.

The Fugard Theatre team has selected the finest South African talent for this production that first premiered on Broadway in New York in 1957. The superb forty-strong cast is backed by a full Philharmonic Orchestra playing Bernstein's magnificent score that includes iconic songs such as "Something's Coming", "Maria", "I Feel Pretty" and "Tonight".

Reprising their roles as Tony, Maria and Bernardo respectively, will be Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winners Jonathan Roxmouth (JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, SWEENEY TODD, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) as Tony and Lynelle Kenned (ORPHEUS IN AFRICA, SHOW BOAT, THE SOUND OF MUSIC) as Maria. Sharing the role of Maria once more will be London-based actress and opera singer Filipa van Eck (CARMEN, L'AGGRIPINA and LE NOZZE DI FIGARO), who will perform the role once a week. Bianca le Grange (BLOOD BROTHERS, DISTRICT SIX KANALA and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT) and Christopher Jaftha (SLEEPING BEAUTY, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER) return as of Anita and Bernardo.

Joining Jaftha, now a well-known TOP BILLING presenter, in the Sharks gang will be Zolani Shangase as Chino, Carlo McFarlane as Pepe, Duane Williams as Indio, Thami Njoko as Luis, Tevin Wiener as Toro, Sabelo Radebe as Nibbles, Kirsten Rossiter as Rosalia, Chloe Perling as Consuela, Sarah-Ann van der Merwe as Francisca, Natasha Hess as Estella and Ipeleng Merafe as Teresita.

The Jets gang is led once again by Fleur du Cap Theatre Award nominee Stephen Jubber as Riff, backed by a superb cast that includes Daniel Buys and Grant Almirall as Action (Buys will perform the role of Action from 24 January to 18 February and Almirall will perform the role from 19 February to 5 March), Sven-Eric Müller as Diesel, Cameron Botha as Snowboy, Clive Gilson as Big Deal, LJ Neilson as Anybody's, Elzanne Crause as Velma, Kristin Wilson as Graziella, Tamryn van Houten as Minnie and Caitlin Clerk as Pauline. Adrian Galley returns as Doc. Brendan Murray will perform the role of Krupke alternating with Richard Lothian, who will once again be the fight choreographer. Sibusiso Mxosana and Gemma Trehearn complete the talented line-up of remarkable performers.

The creative team for the production is headed by Matthew Wild as director, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder as musical director and conductor and Louisa Talbot as choreographer. Wild, Lingenfelder and Talbot previously collaborated on The Fugard Theatre's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and CABARET , and will reunite for the 2017 production of FUNNY GIRL.

WEST SIDE STORY is a must-see that The Fugard Theatre guarantees will be a highlight of Johannesburg's 2017 theatre calendar. Produced on an unprecedented grand scale, the show promises to leave audiences mesmerised night after night in its upcoming Johannesburg season. The season runs from 24 January to 5 March 2017 and tickets are now on sale online through Computicket, telephonically on 021 461 4554 or 0861 915 8000 or directly from the Joburg Theatre. Given the anticipation for this stellar musical, advance booking is highly recommended. The producers recommend an age restriction of 12 years with parental guidance for the show.