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‘West Side Story’ is Returning to Broadway in 2020

Hey, Broadway musical fans! It’s time to get excited because one of the most timeless and classic musicals is slated to return to the New York City stage. That’s right! Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical West Side Story is gearing up to return with a new production of the musical.

The new production will be helmed by famed director Ivo van Hove with Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker developing all-new choreography as well.

West Side Story first premiered on Broadway in 1957 and tells a Romeo and Juliet type tale of two characters named Tony and Maria who fall in love. The only problem is they come from two feuding rival families/gangs, The Jets, and The Sharks. The musical features iconic numbers such as America, Tonight, I feel Pretty, Somewhere and many other well-known medleys.

In a statement, Sondheim expressed his excitement about the new production as well as his appreciation that theater continues to reinterpret itself. Sondheim said, “This is Ivo van Hove’s first Broadway musical, and I’m eager to see what he does with it. What keeps theater alive over time is reinterpretation, and when that reinterpretation is as invigorating as his productions of A View from the Bridge and The Crucible, it makes for something to look forward to with excitement.”

Additionally, Jamie Bernstein released a statement on behalf of her late father, Leonard Bernstein. She said, “The Bernstein Office and siblings are thrilled at this opportunity to see West Side Story staged anew in its own location, New York City, This show’s theme of love destroyed by hatred and intolerance is as poignant today as it was in Shakespeare’s time — but the story line involving the mistreatment of Puerto Rican immigrants makes West Side Story more timely now than ever. ‘Nobody knows in America/Puerto Rico’s IN America!’”

The new production of West Side Story will begin previews on Dec. 10, 2019. The musical will then officially open on February 6, 2020. No casting information is known at this point.

Are you excited to see West Side Story return to Broadway? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

 

Source: Entertainment Weekly