May 10, 2019
West Side Story Insider
Each spring, Lyric invites a group of 5-10 musical theater “superfans” to be Social Media Insiders. Last week, 10 lucky fans got the chance to live-tweet the final Dress Rehearsal of West Side Story and get an exclusive look behind-the-scenes.
Scroll down to experiece West Side Story through their eyes!
Audiences of all ages are raving about Lyric's production of West Side Story!
SOMETHINGS COMING, SOMETHING REALLY GOOD!!! I’m here!!!!
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
So excited to be a part of an exclusive look at @LyricOpera’s production of West Side Story!! #LyricWSS #WSSInsider pic.twitter.com/R35lnHBdsn
So it begins. Stay tuned for our #WSSinsider live tweet of WEST SIDE STORY! #lyricwss pic.twitter.com/bCxDzVnfMH
— Lyric Opera Chicago (@LyricOpera) May 2, 2019
"Prologue"
I want to live on this set. #LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Dillon C (@909dc) May 2, 2019
We are les than a minute and the choreography is EVERYTHING #lyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
This prologue though. The orchestra is fantastic. #LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Dillon C (@909dc) May 2, 2019
Y’all it’s the prologue and the dancing is giving me all the feels already! Beautiful dancers. #lyricwss #WSSInsider
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
Y’all this color coordination with the red/black hues of the Sharks and the blue/green hues of the Jets is heckin IT.
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
Raise a glass to the costume designer. #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
Riff is SERVING the Jet Song. THAT TONE THOOOOO #LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
I'm loving Brett Thiele as Riff!#LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Ashley Rosario Wijangco (@wijangco12) May 2, 2019
These voices, the choreographing, and the light on this set is freaking phenomenal😍 #WSS #WSSInsider
— Amanda (@fanofthearts) May 2, 2019
"Something's Coming"
“Something great is coming” and I know this...Corey sounds beautiful. Also this lighting design is everything. #WSSinsider #LyricWSS
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
Getting ready for the dance
Literally I’m already in love with energy, youth, and STRENGTH Mikaela brings to this Maria #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
“You can start out dancing and end up kneeling” Anita is the big sister we all deserve #LyricWSS
— Lindsey (@TheLindseyRaker) May 2, 2019
Name a more iconic dress than Anita’s dance dress 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 #LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
"Dance at the Gym"
Sorry my jaw is still on the floor from the opening of the Dance scene #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
The set is grand yet intimate yet complicated yet simple much like the lives of these characters. beautiful. #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
I’m sorry I couldn’t tweet during the #Mambo I was too stunned I was not able to tear my eyes away. #LyricWSS #WSSInsider pic.twitter.com/CTHgJ8mGp6
— Amanda (@fanofthearts) May 2, 2019
Love at first sight
Thank God my stage makeup from my show this morning is waterproof because I just openly BAWLED at the lighting and Maria/Tony’s exchange during the dance scene.
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
So pure. So much butterflies.
So much mascara that should be down my face.#LyricWSS #WSSInsider
The ‘meeting’ dance is by far one of the most simple yet beautiful pieces of choreography in this show. *snap snap* #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
"Maria"
“Romeo, Romeo, where for-“
— Dillon C (@909dc) May 2, 2019
Oops, I mean “Maria! I just met a girl named Maria!” #LyricWSS #WSSinsider
You see kids, before texting, you just had to run through the streets shouting your beloved’s name to get ahold of them #lyricwss pic.twitter.com/ewgrBwNHDe
— Lindsey (@TheLindseyRaker) May 2, 2019
Maria is one of my favorite song written for the stage. So simple yet so profound and Corey singing it sounds like a dream. A masterclass in how to act a song. That b flat is gorgeous!! #lyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
Petition for the Jets to be a boy band instead of a gang, because they sound amazing!#LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Amanda Wijangco (@amanda_carmela) May 2, 2019
*Me running to Daley Plaza to get my name changed to ‘Maria’ after Corey Cott sang the #?!% outta ‘Mariaaaaaaaaa’ #LyricWSS #WSSInsider pic.twitter.com/0eKHNTfTkr
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
"Tonight"
The orchestrations for Tonight omgomgomgomg #LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
In true fashion as all fans of the classic gem, Corey Cott and Mikaela Bennett delivers a beautiful, valentine moment for the soul in their Balcony Scene and TONIGHT, as it should be delivered. Cott’s boyish and starstruck charm with Bennett! #WSSInsider #LyricWSS
— BoyWonder212 (@JamesEDauphin) May 2, 2019
"America"
Firebirds FOR DAYS.
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
Damn, if America is not one of the best dance numbers of all time.
This ensemble, y’all.
Amanda Castro, everyone. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻#LyricWSS #WSSInsider
Jerome Robbins’ choreography is intense! I’m exhausted just watching this. #LyricWSS pic.twitter.com/wYPwxfM0aa
— Lindsey (@TheLindseyRaker)May 2, 2019
62 years later and the themes of ‘America’ still ring so true in the immigrant narrative #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
"Cool"
I love a dance number that is classic broadway at its core but also feels incredibly fresh, modern and relevant. ‘Cool’ does that in spades. I can’t say enough positive things about these dancers and the choreography. #WSSInsider #lyricWSS
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
Anybodys getting ready for this rumble like #LyricWSS pic.twitter.com/U7mfGTpc1O
— Lindsey (@TheLindseyRaker) May 2, 2019
I cannot shout loud enough for this ENSEMBLE. “Cool” was insane. 😍 #LyricsWSS #WSSInsider
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
*Jets pretend that they weren’t just doing a highly intricate dance number before the Sharks arrive* #LyricWSS #WSSInsider pic.twitter.com/77ffyRmGC5
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
Amanda’s Anita is already a straight up ICON. #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
"One Hand One Heart"
The bilingual vows were really touching. I am hard core rooting for Tony and Maria so I know the finale is going to destroy me. #LyricWSS #wssinsider
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
Jumping right into The Rumble after ‘One Hand, One Heart’ gives you whiplash but reminds you of the harsh reality that exists 12 ft below Tony & Maria #WSSInsider #LyricWSS
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
"Tonight Quintet"
I’m sorry Mikaela Bennet who gave you permission to make me immediately tear up with that final note in the Tonight Quintet? #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
The Quintet is a musical masterpiece and lyric’s ensemble does not disappoint in anyway. @MikaelaBennett_ and her high C soar over the full company for a thrilling climax to the song. #wssinsider #LyricWSS
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
Are you ever emotionally prepared for the end of Act One? #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
Intermission time! Check out the awesome curtain @LyricOpera has for West Side Story!#LyricWSS #WSSinsider pic.twitter.com/c6DDiF7vHx
— Amanda Wijangco (@amanda_carmela) May 2, 2019
Gotta love @LyricOpera #LyricWSS #WSSInsider pic.twitter.com/gIrjtyZ8Hl
— Amanda (@fanofthearts) May 2, 2019
"The Rumble"
Haven’t seen a delivery of anguish from Tony in WEST SIDE STORY over the deaths of Bernardo and Riff in quite some time... Brava Corey Cott! #WSSInsider #LyricWSS
— BoyWonder212 (@JamesEDauphin) May 2, 2019
"I Feel Pretty"
The lights around the window, the posters, and the lil PR flag. The set designer nailed Maria’s room #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
“I Feel Pretty” is my morning routine anthem. #LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Dillon C (@909dc) May 2, 2019
"Somewhere"
So much struggle and heartache we endure these days. So many times with so many productions of the show, so many viewings of the movie .... and SOMEWHERE, resonates ever so deep in our souls, a dream we hope peace and love WILL conquer! Heartstrings pulled strong! #WSSInsider
— BoyWonder212 (@JamesEDauphin) May 2, 2019
"Somewhere" was so beautiful -- I'm crying! 😭
— Amanda Wijangco (@amanda_carmela) May 2, 2019
The singing. The dancing. It was all so beautiful. #WSSinsider #LyricWSS
Just when I didn’t think I could love Mikaela’s voice more, she sings Somewhere. Her voice along with the dancing is a beautiful marriage of reality and fantasy. #LyricWSS #wssinsider
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
"Gee, Officer Krupke"
The character choices in ‘Officer Krumpkie’ are 🙌🏽 #lyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Bobbi Benegas (@BiggHair) May 2, 2019
Officer Krupke...a prime example of how important moments of comedy are in the face of tragedy. #WSSInsider #lyricWSS
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
Doc is the only sensible adult in this whole story #LyricWSS
— Lindsey (@TheLindseyRaker) May 2, 2019
"Finale"
Compassion shared with exquisite vocal color and in performing the role of Maria, Mikaela Bennett brings a whole new take with brilliance of strength, purity and power! #WSSInsider #LyricWSS
— BoyWonder212 (@JamesEDauphin) May 2, 2019
The show may be over but these tears sure aren’t.#LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
A show of love, hate forgiveness and humanity. Don’t miss this production of West Side Story @LyricOpera. #LyricWSS #WSSInsider
— Luke Funk (@funk_luke) May 2, 2019
You could hear a pin drop in @LyricOpera at the end of #WestSideStory #LyricWSS #wssinsider
— Amanda (@fanofthearts) May 2, 2019
I always knew how this was going to end, and yet my heart is RACING. This is such a well-done, powerful story.#LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Ashley Rosario Wijangco (@wijangco12) May 2, 2019
I haven’t teared up like that at a show in a long time. “Te adoro, Anton” #LyricWSS #WSSinsider
— Dillon C (@909dc) May 2, 2019
She has slowed down her tweeting because she has been on a backstage TOUUUUURRRR and meeting amazing people#LyricWSS #WSSInsider pic.twitter.com/i4jhzgDeL3
— Allison ℝosè (@AllieRoseRita) May 2, 2019
WEST SIDE STORY at Lyric Opera is a MUST SEE! Beautiful and heart wrenching performances, fierce choreography and our culture staple! Fill your soul and get tickets NOW! It’s sure to hear the words SOLD OUT, get your tickets ‘TONIGHT’!#WSSInsider #LyricWSS
— BoyWonder212 (@JamesEDauphin) May 2, 2019
Share your thoughts!
While you can’t live-tweet a regular performance, you can share your thoughts during intermission and after the show by tagging @LyricOpera and hashtag #LyricWSS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. During your next visit, be sure to stop by our photo booth in the Rice Grand Foyer for a free souvenir photo and use our West Side Story geofilter on Snapchat! For a look at life as a “West Side Story Insider,” check out this blog post from Identically Unique and get your tickets before this hit musical closes June 2.
