The Grand Theatre at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), Mumbai, is all set to reverberate with rich and visually entreating sounds and sights of the Grammy and Tony Award-winning Broadway musical West Side Story. Directed by American director Lonny Price, this modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet first premiered in 1957. The touring production put together by BB Promotion in 2003 has travelled to 30 countries across 100 cities.
Set in 1956 New York City, the musical is foregrounded around an unruly and turbulent neighbourhood. Talking about the show’s relevance and acceptance by the Indian audience, Lonny reasons that the musical is a love story, peppered with violence, which mirrors the social and political landscape of the world today. He adds, “It takes place at the time of violence where the ‘other‘ is vilified. Sadly, this is going on today, with most countries exhibiting one degree or another of xenophobia. West Side Story is a plea for tolerance.”. Featuring a cast and crew of over 70, including a 20-member live orchestra, Jadon Webster stars as Tony, Melanie Aierra as Maria, Kyra Sorce as Anita, Antony Sanchez as Bernardo and Taylor Harley as Riff.
