West Side Story

West Side Story

This April, we’re back at Dubai Opera for West Side Story. This rare touring production featuring Jerome Robbins’ original choreography has thrilled audiences since 2003. It has played on three continents and been enjoyed by more than three million people in 28 countries. No wonder West Side Story is considered the most popular American musical of all time.

For this tour, a new international creative team has been assembled around the renowned Broadway director and actor Lonny Price. He opens the next chapter in the classic musical’s epic success story.

Dubai Opera

Tonight we arrive at Dubai Opera by taxi. We are early, having forgone a romantic pre dinner show with a last minute home substitute. Our plans just didn’t quite come together. Nevertheless, we are here in plenty of time to enjoy a pre show drink whilst taking in the foyer of this delightful Dubai landmark. This is a good spot for people watching and gives Jason & I a chance to catch up. Not dinner but romantic enough.

The Plot

Whilst waiting for the show and over our drink, I review the plot.

Act 1

Upper West Side, New York, 1950’s, during the last days of summer…

Members of New York street gang the “Jets” patrol their dusty territory, provocatively snapping their fingers, always on the lookout for their rivals, the Puerto Rican “Sharks”. Riff, the Jet’s leader, swears he’ll chase the Sharks from ‘their’ territory during When You’re A Jet.

The fiery Latinas dance to sultry Mambo rhythms in the summer heat, dreaming of a better life. Tony, Riff’s friend and the Jets co-founder notices Maria when they attend the local dance held at the gym. They dance together and it’s love at first sight. But Maria’s brother Bernado has already chosen Chino, a fellow Latino, to marry Maria. Bernado notices Tony dancing with her and breaks them apart.

The Jets meets at Doc’s drug store where Tony works to negotiate a fight between the gangs – a fight that is meant to solve the gang wars once and for all. Afterwards, Tony finds Maria’s parents apartment and calls to her and they declare their love for each other.

Later, at midnight, the two gangs meet. Tony suggests a fair fight without weapons and Doc tries to persuade the gangs not to get involved in street fighting.

The next evening, Tony meets Maria in the bridal shop where she works and Maria begs Tony to stop the fight. Dreaming of their future together, they imagine their wedding.

In the midst of the ensuing gang wars, their great love fights but fails to overcome the obstacles and prejudices that stand in its way. As trouble builds and brews on the Upper East Side, things go wrong very quickly, despite Tony and Maria’s declarations of love. 

During the inevitable fight, the agreed fisht fight descends into an all out battle and Bernado stabs Riff. Enraged, Tony kills Bernado.

Act 2

Maria is getting ready for a date with Tony, thinking that Tony has helped to call the fight off. She dances and sings, I Feel Pretty.

Chino finds Maria and tells her the horrible news. Maria prays and soon, Tony finds Maria after the fight and begs her forgiveness. They sing Somewhere together, once again dreaming about what could be in a life with peace and without prejudice.

A plot for revenge is hatched against Tony by the Sharks, worsened when they find out he is involved with Maria. Maria’s best friend, Anita is trusted to deliver Maria’s message that she will meet Tony so they can escape. But Anita betrays Maria when she meets with more trouble with the Jets. Humiliated, angry at her own loss of Bernado and afraid, rather than telling the Jets, who are hiding Tony, that Maria will come to meet him, she betrays Maria and tells the gang that Chino killed Maria.

Tony now wanders the streets looking for Chino. Maria suddenly appears and as Tony realises she’s still alive and they rush towards each other, Chino appears and shoots Tony from behind.

As Maria grieves Tony in the streets, Maria controls her sorrow to plea with both gangs against the senselessness of the fighting. The Sharks and Jets carry Tony’s body away in a procession, a gesture of hope for reconciliation.

Just a few notes of these famous songs – Maria, Tonight, Somewhere, America – evoke the memory of this wonderful production. Jadon Webster as Tony and Melanie Sierra as Maria give stellar performances and the incredible set also deserves a mention. A most memorable night.

Good To Know

This production of West Side Story was presented at Dubai Opera through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Concept and choreography by Jerome Robbins
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Spielberg’s 2021 cinematic version was nominated for seven Oscars and took home one of the coveted trophies, proving just how unique and timeless this modern interpretation of the “Romeo and Juliet” story is.

Would I Return?

Yes.