West Side Story, the musical masterpiece by Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim, based on an original conception of Jerome Robbins, dazzled the opening night audience!
The standing ovation was well deserved!
Star crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, were convincingly and charismatically played by Jonathan Roxmouth and Lynelle Kenned. (See photo) There was a great chemistry between the two and their voices created some magically goose bump moments.
The powerful all local cast includes Bianca Le Grange (Blood Brothers) as Anita , Christopher Jaftha (Dirty Dancing) as Bernardo and Daniel Buys (Jersey boys, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret) as Action.
The entire cast is strong, exhibiting great singing and dancing capabilities. In fact top marks must go to choreographer Louisa Talbot for action packed dance sequences that were exciting to watch and danced with panache.
Visually stunning, credit must also be given to set design by Conor Murphy, costume designer Birrie le Roux and lighting by Joshua Cutts. The staging of ‘Tonight’ can only be described as spectacular.
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra performed admirably in the orchestra pit conducted by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, who is also the musical director.
Director Matthew Wild has certainly created a memorable West Side Story experience!
It’s an awesome night at the theatre. And the young people sitting in front of us were also totally enthralled. Go see!
WHEN & WHERE: The West Side Story season runs to 23 August 2015 at the Artscape Opera House. Performances are from Tuesdays to Fridays at 8pm, on Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm and on Sundays at 2pm and 6pm. TICKETS: from R95 to R400 through Computicket or 0861 915 8000 or via the Artscape box office on 021 421 7695. Advance booking is highly recommended.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jesse Kramer
