Something’s Coming, Louisville.
Fifty years ago, West Side Story riveted audiences with its then-modern take on Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.
Now over five decades later, West Side Story continues to draw fans with its racially and emotionally charged love story, punctuated with musical blockbusters such as, “I Feel Pretty,” “Gee Officer Krupke,” and “Tonight.”
West Side Story, set in New York City in the mid-1950’s pits the Sharks, a Puerto Rican immigrant gang, against the Jets, an American one.
As luck would have it, Maria, sister to the Sharks’ leader, falls in love with Tony, a Jet. In a feud reminiscent of the Capulets and the Montagues, the Jets’ and Sharks’ rivalry escalates, leading to a not-so-fairytale ending.
The original production of West Side Story was nominated for six Tony Awards in 1958, winning three, including Best Choreography (Jerome Robbins). Since then, it has enjoyed several revivals, including 2009 when it was nominated for four Tony awards. West Side Story won the 2010 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.
West Side Story runs Tuesday, May 14 through Sunday, May 19 at the Kentucky Center. Tickets start at $28 and may be purchased online or by calling the box office at 800-775-7777. Patrons can avoid convenience and handling fees by purchasing tickets in person or at the drive through window of the Kentucky Center box office.
The show is recommended for audiences 13 and over.
West Side Story is part of the PNC Broadway in Louisville series.
Image: Courtesy of Kentuckycenter.org
