Performances begin May 3 for the Lyric Opera of Chicago's West Side Story, directed by Francesca Zambello. Leading the cast as Tony and Maria are Corey Cott and Mikaela Bennett, respectively, as well as Amanda Castro as Anita, Manuel Stark Santos as Bernardo, and Brett Thiele as Riff.
The Chicago production is scheduled to run through June 2. Julo Monge recreates Jerome Robbins' choreography, and James Lowe conducts members of the Lyric Opera Chorus and Orchestra.
Rounding out the cast are Adam Soniak (Action), Taylor Simmons (A-rab), Jarred Manista (Baby John), Callan Bergmann (Snowboy), Jeffrey C. Sousa (Diesel), Wesley Ryan (Big Deal), Paul HeeSang Miller (Gee-tar), Juan Caballer(Tiger), Alexa Magro (Anybodys), Alyssa Sarnoff (Pauline), Veronica Sofia Burt (Velma), Julio Rey (Chino), Mark Deler (Pepe), Joshua Lamar (Indio), Michael J. Rios (Nibbles), Sebastian Garcia (Toro), Linedy Genao (Rosalia), Addie Morales (Francisca), Alexandra Matteo (Consuelo), Kayla Moniz (Teresita), Antonia Raye (Estella), and Carolina Villaraos (Margarita).
Chicago-based cast members are Kyra Sorce (Graziella), Paige Fraser (Minnie), Shannon Alvis (Clarice), Joseph A. Hernandez (Luis), Greg Blackmon (Anxious), Martín Ortiz Tapia (Juano), David Alan Anderson (Doc), Bret Tuomi (Lt. Schrank), Jerry Kernion (Officer Krupke), and Ed Kross (Glad Hand).
Members of the Lyric Opera Chorus performing in West Side Story are Desirée Hassler, Maia Surace, Corinne Wallace-Crane, Sherry Watkins, Michelle Wrighte, Hoss Brock, Matthew Carroll, William M. Combs, Tyler Samuel Lee, Kenneth Nichols, Ronald Watkins, and Nikolas Wenzel.
A co-production with Glimmerglass Festival and Houston Grand Opera, West Side Story features sets by Peter J. Davidson, costumes by Jessica Jahn, and lighting design by Mark McCullough.
West Side Story features music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. The Chicago production of the celebrated musical will wrap up as the new Steven Spielberg adaptation is expected to begin filming. A new stage production from Tony-winning director Ivo van Hove is also expected to arrive on Broadway in early 2020.
