West Side Story is exuberant take on classic old tale of love and tragedy

The revival of West Side Story with a fresh young cast is a tale that is as relevant today as it was in Shakespeare’s time.

The Jets in action in Opera Australia’s West Side Story on Sydney Harbour. Picture: Keith Saunders.

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THIS exuberant revival of a hit musical born as long ago as 1957 hits the mark with a fresh young cast and a message as relevant today as it was in Shakespeare’s time.

The story of two lovers caught up in the conflict between opposing families, a theme familiar to us all in Romeo and Juliet, is here reimagined with high-energy dancing and catchy songs embracing mainly modern jazz and Latin notes.

First Nations performer Nina Korbe made an appealing Maria in her professional debut role with Opera Australia, using her clear and confident soprano to great effect.

Canberra-born Billy Bourchier, perhaps better known for his roles in Miss Saigon and Les Mis, played Maria’s lover, Tony, with a firmly focused tenor and an engaging manner.

Both performers’ voices blended well.

All the hits we have come to love in this musical were rendered with great feeling: Tonight, Somewhere, Maria, America, I Feel Pretty, among many.

Kimberley Hodgson as Anita, Ella Fitzpatrick as Pauline and Jayme Jo Massoud as Francisca in West Side Story. Picture: Keith Saunders.

The big gently sloping stage with its movable cabins and industrial setting, all this against the backdrop of the city and Sydney Harbor, provided plenty of room for the dancers to strut their stuff. The choreography was simply outstanding, second only to the music for the sheer energy of the production.

Kimberley Hodgson, as Maria’s friend Anita, offered us a sassy Puerto Rican with attitude and she was no slouch in the demanding dance routines either.

American performer Manuel Stark Santos, as the Sharks’ gang leader Bernardo, and Newccastle-born Patrick Whitbread, as the Jets’ Riff, provided solid support.

DETAILS

• SHOW West Side Story

• STARS Nina Korbe, Billy Bourchier, Kimberley Hodgson, Patrick Whitbread, Manuel Stark Santos

• AT Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point

• UNTIL April 21

• BOOKINGShttps://opera.org.au/

• REVIEWER Tom Pillans