Blake Tuke takes on the role of Jets gang member Big Deal in West Side Story

Joey McKneely’s modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet set to delight Sydney audiences

Blake Tuke (far left), who plays Big Deal, one of The Jets, from the acclaimed musical West Side Story, with fellow Jet’s Joshua Taylor, Noah Mullins, Sebastien Golenko, Nicholas Collins and Molly Bugeja.

Mascot actor Blake Tuke, who plays Big Deal in the new production of West Side Story, says Sydney audiences will love the latest interpretation of the classic Romeo and Juliet tale.

Tuke joins fellow southeast Sydney actors Ritchie Singer from Kingsford who plays Doc, Nicholas Collins from Kensington who plays A-Rab and Maroubra’s Sarah Dimas who plays Clarice, on the West Side Story stage.

Tuke describes his character, who is part of the Jets gang, as a joker.

“He is always cracking jokes to step away, or forget, about all his problems,” he said.

This modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is set in a New York City enveloped by bitter

tension between two teenage gangs: the Jets, self-styled “Americans”, and the Sharks, a group

of young Puerto Ricans.

West Side Story production preview at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Picture: David Caird

“Sydney audiences will love how much they can relate to the story from such a classic plot,” Tuke said.

Tuke, originally from Auckland New Zealand but based in Sydney for 2.5 years, studied performing arts at Brent St and is “super excited” for his Brent St friends and tutors to see him line-up with the West Side Story cast.

West Side Story opens in Sydney on August 16. Picture: Jeff Busby

Director Joey McKneely’s vibrant new staging will also feature Todd Jacobsson (Book Of Mormon) as Tony, Sophie Salvesani as Maria, Chloe Zuel (Beautiful) as Anita, Noah Mullins as Riff, and Lyndon Watts (Aladdin) as Bernardo.

Opera Australia artistic director Lyndon Terracini said: “West Side Story is one of the greatest pieces of musical theatre ever written, which is evidenced by its continuing success around the world”.

SHOW DETAILS

Sydney Opera House

August 16 – October 6, 2019

Booking: westsidestory.com.au or opera.org.au