West Side Story

June 02. 2023 - June 25. 2023

June 02. 2023 - June 25. 2023

The return of the critically acclaimed Lyric production West Side Story

This June, usher in the summer with Lyric's West Side Story, brought to life by nearly 100 artists including a thrilling Broadway ensemble of singers and dancers. The chance to hear this music with the lush sound of the Lyric Orchestra playing the original orchestrations and an "expansive" (Chicago Tribune) production on Chicago's biggest stage is a rare treat.

Leonard Bernstein's music and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics 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.

Please note, West Side Story will not have an at-home streaming option.

  • Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes with 1 intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

Lyric's presentation of West Side Story is generously made possible by Lead Sponsor The Negaunee Foundation with additional support from The Davee Foundation and Bank of America.

Videos

Swipe

Audiences react to WEST SIDE STORY at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Critics and audiences are raving about Bernstein and Sondheim's West Side Story. 

Lyric opera of Chicago presents WEST SIDE STORY

Leonard Bernstein's music and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics 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.

Meet the cast of WEST SIDE STORY // On stage through June 25

Bernstein's Broadway blockbuster is back at Lyric Opera of Chicago, June 2-25! Filled with stars of stage and screen, get to know the cast of WEST SIDE STORY and see what has them excited about this larger-than-life production.

"Something's Coming" from WEST SIDE STORY

Corey Cott performs "Something's Coming" in Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2018/19 production of West Side Story — Bernstein and Sondheim's beloved Broadway hit.

Choreographer Joshua Bergasse on WEST SIDE STORY

"It's so athletic, it's so story-driven and character-driven, and I think that's what makes it always fresh — when it's performed so well."

Emmy and Drama Desk Award-winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse discusses his history with West Side Story and the enduring power of Jerome Robbins's original choreography.

"Gee, Officer Krupke": Adam Soniak and Jets - WEST SIDE STORY

Adam Soniak and the Jets perform "Gee, Officer Krupke" in Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2018/19 production of WEST SIDE STORY — Bernstein and Sondheim's beloved Broadway hit.

 

Francesca Zambello on Lyric Opera's WEST SIDE STORY

In this interview with the renowned opera and theater director, Francesca Zambello talks about her larger-than-life production of West Side Story. 

WEST SIDE STORY returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago

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.

 

"Tonight": Corey Cott & Mikaela Bennett - WEST SIDE STORY

Broadway stars Corey Cott (Tony) and Mikaela Bennett (Maria) perform "Tonight" in Lyric’s 2018/19 production of WEST SIDE STORY. This thrilling production of Leonard Bernstein’s hit musical returns to Chicago in June 2023.

Photos

Swipe

The company of West Side Story (2022/23 Season).

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

The company of  West Side Story featuring Amanda Castro as Anita and Yurel Echezarreta as Bernardo (2022/23 Season).

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Kanisha Feliciano as Maria and Ryan McCartan as Tony in West Side Story (2022/23 Season).

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Yurel Echezarreta as Bernardo and Brett Thiele as Riff in West Side Story (2022/23 Season).

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Genevieve VenJohnson as Doc and Ryan McCartan as Tony in West Side Story (2022/23 Season).

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

The company of West Side Story (2022/23 Season).

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Kanisha Feliciano as Maria and Ryan McCartan as Tony in West Side Story (2022/23 Season).

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Kanisha Feliciano as Maria and Ryan McCartan as Tony in West Side Story (2022/23 Season).

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Articles

Swipe
by Roger Pines

Hot and cool: The creation of West Side Story

In this article, read how Bernstein, Sondheim, Robbins, and Laurents took the idea to update Romeo and Juliet and turned it into one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Get ready to rumble when WEST SIDE STORY returns to Lyric, June 2-25, 2023.
Read More

Friendly rivals

In this conversation, West Side Story stars Yurel Echezarreta (Bernardo) and Kyle Coffman (A-Rab) discuss their previous experiences with the musical, hanging out with Steven Spielberg, and what it’s been like to bring the work to life on Lyric's stage.
Read More

The great American musical at Lyric

Since Lyric's first foray into musical theater with Show Boat in the 2011/12 Season, audiences have come to expect a level of artistic excellence that you can't find anywhere else. Star-studded casts; imposing sets and extravagant costumes; and productions that marshal the powerful forces of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus are all hallmarks of a Lyric musical.
Read More

A pop culture phenomenon

West Side Story has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring numerous adaptations, parodies, and tributes across various forms of media. Get ready to rumble as we dive into some of the many ways this musical has left its mark on pop culture.
Read More

Meet the artists

  • Ryan McCartan

    Ryan McCartan *

    Tony

  • Kanisha Feliciano

    Kanisha Feliciano *

    Maria

  • Brett Thiele

    Brett Thiele

    Riff

  • Amanda Castro

    Amanda Castro

    Anita

  • Yurel Echezarreta

    Yurel Echezarreta *

    Bernardo

  • Nathan Keen

    Nathan Keen *

    Action

  • Kyle Coffman

    Kyle Coffman *

    A-Rab

  • Maurice Dawkins

    Maurice Dawkins *

    Baby John

  • Steven Blandino

    Steven Blandino *

    Snowboy

  • Thomas Sutter

    Thomas Sutter *

    Diesel

  • Matthew Aaron Liotine

    Matthew Aaron Liotine *

    Big Deal

  • Michael McBride

    Michael McBride *

    Gee-tar

  • Michael Olaribigbe

    Michael Olaribigbe *

    Tiger

  • Ayden Pratt

    Ayden Pratt *

    Anybodys

  • Laura Savage

    Laura Savage

    Graziella

  • Julia Fleckenstein

    Julia Fleckenstein *

    Pauline

  • Paige Fraser

    Paige Fraser

    Velma

  • Whitney Cooper

    Whitney Cooper *

    Minnie

  • Morgan McDaniel

    Morgan McDaniel *

    Clarice

  • Mark Daniel Aguirre

    Mark Daniel Aguirre *

    Chino

  • Joseph A. Hernandez

    Joseph A. Hernandez

    Pepe

  • Jorge Guerra

    Jorge Guerra *

    Indio

  • Alex Aponte

    Alex Aponte *

    Luis

  • Dean Andre De Luna

    Dean Andre De Luna *

    Anxious

  • Andres Acosta

    Andres Acosta *

    Nibbles

  • Martin Ortiz Tapia

    Martin Ortiz Tapia

    Juano

  • Henry Julian Gendron

    Henry Julian Gendron *

    Toro

  • Joy Del Valle

    Joy Del Valle *

    Rosalia

  • Abigail Paschke

    Abigail Paschke *

    Francisca

  • Orianna Hilliard

    Orianna Hilliard *

    Consuelo

  • Natalia Nieves

    Natalia Nieves *

    Teresita

  • Kiana Rodriguez

    Kiana Rodriguez *

    Estella

  • Monica Garcia Bradley

    Monica Garcia Bradley *

    Margarita

  • Genevieve VenJohnson

    Genevieve VenJohnson *

    Doc

  • Keith Kupferer

    Keith Kupferer *

    Lt. Schrank

  • John Lister

    John Lister

    Officer Krupke

  • Lillian Castillo

    Lillian Castillo *

    Glad Hand

  • James Lowe

    James Lowe

    Conductor

  • Francesca Zambello

    Francesca Zambello

    Director

  • Peter J. Davison

    Peter J. Davison

    Set Designer

  • Jessica Jahn

    Jessica Jahn

    Costume Designer

  • Mark McCullough

    Mark McCullough

    Lighting Designer

  • Michael Black

    Michael Black

    Chorus Master

  • Jerome Robbins

    Jerome Robbins

    Original Choreographer

  • Joshua Bergasse

    Joshua Bergasse *

    Revival Choreographer

  • Kiira Schmidt Carper

    Kiira Schmidt Carper *

    Associate Choreographer

  • Eric Sean Fogel

    Eric Sean Fogel

    Associate Stage Director

  

* Lyric debut

Program book

Go inside this production of West Side Story with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

Download program book

"WEST SIDE STORY"

Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS

Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS
Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Entire Original Production Directed and Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS

Originally Produced On Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince
By Arrangement with Roger L. Stevens

WEST SIDE STORY is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI.) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, mtishows.com.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg/Lyric Opera of Chicago