West Side Story cast tour Germany, NZ ahead of Sydney shows
Actors from across Sydney’s west are bringing the classic tale of West Side Story to audiences on the other side of the world.
A young Australian cast are bringing the beloved musical West Side Story to audiences around the world.
The 34 member cast are currently touring Germany following a run in Wellington and ahead of a season at the Sydney Opera House next month.
The classic play was inspired by Romeo and Juliet and is set in a New York City neighbourhood in the mid 1950s, exploring the rivalry between two street gangs; the Jets and the Sharks.
The young cast includes Leonay’s Noah Mullins and The Ponds’ Chloe Zuel in lead roles as well as Natasha O’Hehir, of Castle Hill, Anthony Garcia, of West Pennant Hills, Angelica Di Clemente, of Kellyville, and Molly Bugeja, of Leonay.
Mullins makes his professional theatrical debut as Jets leader Riff.
“Riff is 19 and I’m also 19 so I relate to the character’s emotions and state of mind, and Riff is usually not played by a singer, and I believe singing is my strong suit,” he said.
Zuel, who recently appeared in Beautiful; The Carol King Musical, plays Anita; the girlfriend of rival gang leader Bernardo.
“I love that you get to see so many different sides of Anita,” she said.
“She’s gentle with Maria, she’s sassy and sexy with Bernardo and then she’s also vulnerable in Act 2.
“I also love that I get to dance the beautiful Jerome Robbins choreography and sing my favourite song in the show.
“It really does feel like dream.”
Zuel, 30, said she hoped audiences leave West Side Story “with a lasting impression of what hate can do”.
“This story is current because unfortunately racism is still a huge issue in the world and while the show is filled with gorgeous music and dancing it’s also a tale of love and the consequences of what happens when you choose to hate and discriminate instead of love,” she said.
“Overall, I hope audiences walk away having loved their experience.”
West Side Story comes to the Sydney Opera House from August 16.
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