A grand production of the musical West Side Story, opens at the Artscape Opera House on July 23. Presented at Artscape by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, West Side Story, is the musical masterpiece created by Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim based on an original conception of Jerome Robbins.

Under the direction of Matthew Wild, the musical direction of Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and with choreography by Louisa Talbot, the Fugard Theatre team that brought audiences the sell-out seasons of The Rocky Horror Show and Cabaret will present the very best of South African theatre talent in their production of the classical masterpiece that first premiered on Broadway in 1957.

With a cast of 40, and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in the orchestra pit conducted by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, this will be a must-see for the whole family and a highlight on the 2015 musical theatre calendar. Bernstein’s magnificent score includes the world famous Something’s Coming, Maria, I Feel Pretty and Tonight.

The story, inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, is set in the Upper West Side neighbourhood in New York City in the mid-1950s. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two street gangs of different backgrounds. The members of the Sharks are taunted by the Jets.

The young protagonist, Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang leader, Riff, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and the focus on social conflict marked a turning point in American musical theatre.

The powerful all local cast will be led by South African theatre stars Jonathan Roxmouth (Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, A Handful of Keys, Grease) as Tony and Lynelle Kenned (Blood Brothers, Showboat, Orpheus in Africa) as Maria.

Other cast members include: Bianca Le Grange (Blood Brothers) as Anita , Christopher Jaftha (Dirty Dancing) as Bernardo and Daniel Buys (Jersey boys, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret) as Action.

The West Side Story season runs from July 23 to August 23 at the Artscape Opera House. Performances are from Tuesdays to Fridays at 8 pm, on Saturdays at 4 pm and 8 pm and on Sundays at 2 pm and 6 pm. Tickets cost from R95 to R400 through Computicket or Artscape box office on 021 421 7695. Advance booking is highly recommended.