June 13, 2023

The great American musical at Lyric

The presence of West Side Story on the grand stage at Lyric Opera may for a moment seem surprising, but in fact this stellar production is just the latest offering in a crowd-pleasing run that has gone on for more than decade.

"This season began with productions of Verdi's opera Ernani and a Fiddler on the Roof coming to life in our rehearsal rooms and on the stage at the same time," says Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director, president & CEO. "Now we close with director Francesca Zambello's bold vision for West Side Story. We've found that the vibrant music and large-scale storytelling of musical theater thrill our audiences much like grand opera."

Lyric's 2022/23 production of Bock, Harnick, and Stein's Fiddler on the Roof.

The company first began producing musicals with Show Boat in the 2011/12 Season and then Oklahoma! in the 2012/2013 Season. Following the artistic and audience success of those productions, Lyric began expanding its traditional opera season to include a musical as the thrilling finale of each season, including The Sound of Music (2013/14), Carousel (2014/15), The King and I (2015/16), My Fair Lady (2016/17), Jesus Christ Superstar (2017/18), and West Side Story (2018/19). This season, Fiddler on the Roof and a reprise of West Side Story provided lively bookends.

Consistent among these wide-ranging titles are the star-studded casts, featuring leading lights of stage and screen; imposing sets and extravagant costumes; and productions that marshal the powerful forces of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus to bring the musicals' theater-filling orchestrations to life. The grand scale of these shows would be impossible on nearly any other stage in the country. Both of this season's offerings featured massive ensembles of nearly 100 musical and dramatic artists on the stage and in the orchestra pit, far bigger than any ensemble currently on Broadway or at any of Chicago's other storied theaters.

Lyric's 2016/17 production of Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady starring Lisa O'Hare and Richard E. Grant.

Musicals are also, of course, a profitable audience-development engine. Proceeds from these successful shows serve to help nourish Lyric's regular opera activities, including the two Chicago-set world premieres from this season — The Factotum and Proximity — plus more new works planned for future seasons. The costs of developing new operas from scratch are significant, and their reception with ticket buyers is not guaranteed. Revenue raised from the musicals helps provide the financial wherewithal to allow Lyric to continue experimenting with new works in a way that is central to its mission and vision as one of the world's leading opera companies.

"The Lyric Opera House continues to be a destination for all of Chicago," Freud says. "Whether West Side Story is your first time or just your most recent visit, we welcome you with open arms."

Lyric's 2022/23 production of Bernstein and Sondheim's West Side Story.

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As this production makes vividly clear, “West Side Story” is as musically substantive and theatrically compelling as any American opera, and it deserves to have a place on the opera stage just as it does on the Great White Way.”

Chicago Sun-Times on Lyric's 2022/23 production of West Side Story

In 2019, Lyric’s larger-than-life new production and company premiere of West Side Story took Chicago by storm with sold-out performances. With the lush sound of the Lyric Orchestra playing the original orchestrations and a cast that was called “expansive” by the Chicago Tribune, seeing a Broadway classic this way is a rare treat.

In 2023, Leonard Bernstein’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics will once again transplant Romeo and Juliet to the backstreets of New York City in this timeless Broadway musical masterpiece. Tony and Maria are wide-eyed teenagers from two communities in conflict, who fall in love. As their friends and family battle with one another, Tony and Maria long for “a place for us…somewhere.” Their songs illuminate every scene and permeate our culture, from the romance of “Maria” and “Tonight” to the exuberance of “America” and the humor of “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Add to that the bold, sexy, iconic choreography of Jerome Robbins that smolders and sizzles with energy, and you have a timeless musical theater experience you’ll never forget.

In 2019, Lyric’s larger-than-life new production and company premiere of West Side Story took Chicago by storm with sold-out performances. With the lush sound of the Lyric Orchestra playing the original orchestrations and a cast that was called “expansive” by the Chicago Tribune, seeing a Broadway classic this way is a rare treat.

In 2023, Leonard Bernstein’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics will once again transplant Romeo and Juliet to the backstreets of New York City in this timeless Broadway musical masterpiece. Tony and Maria are wide-eyed teenagers from two communities in conflict, who fall in love. As their friends and family battle with one another, Tony and Maria long for “a place for us…somewhere.” Their songs illuminate every scene and permeate our culture, from the romance of “Maria” and “Tonight” to the exuberance of “America” and the humor of “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Add to that the bold, sexy, iconic choreography of Jerome Robbins that smolders and sizzles with energy, and you have a timeless musical theater experience you’ll never forget.

June 2 - June 25, 2023

West Side Story

West Side Story

In 2019, Lyric’s larger-than-life new production and company premiere of West Side Story took Chicago by storm with sold-out performances. With the lush sound of the Lyric Orchestra playing the original orchestrations and a cast that was called “expansive” by the Chicago Tribune, seeing a Broadway classic this way is a rare treat.

In 2023, Leonard Bernstein’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics will once again transplant Romeo and Juliet to the backstreets of New York City in this timeless Broadway musical masterpiece. Tony and Maria are wide-eyed teenagers from two communities in conflict, who fall in love. As their friends and family battle with one another, Tony and Maria long for “a place for us…somewhere.” Their songs illuminate every scene and permeate our culture, from the romance of “Maria” and “Tonight” to the exuberance of “America” and the humor of “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Add to that the bold, sexy, iconic choreography of Jerome Robbins that smolders and sizzles with energy, and you have a timeless musical theater experience you’ll never forget.

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Header photo: The Jets jump in the air at the end of the "Prologue" in Bernstein and Sondheim's West Side Story. Credit: Todd Rosenberg

All other photos: Todd Rosenberg