"Partnered for the first time, Reyes and Kim are under the direction of the great Francesca Zambello who, by her own count, is directing West Side Story for the 12th time, including productions at the Bregenz Festival on Lake Constance and an outdoor show overlooking the harbor in Sydney, Australia. In the U.S., she helmed productions at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera and the Glimmerglass Fest"
"If a classic is defined as "that which achieves a lasting reputation for quality and relevance," then West Side Story is classic in the best and worst ways. With giants like Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins and a young Stephen Sondheim, quality is never in doubt. Sadly, with themes of racism and street crime, neither is its relevance. "When I was a kid, hearing the Jets hurl all that negativity toward Latinos, I learned a lot of slurs. It had a big impact on me,""
West Side Story pairs towering musical and theatrical talent with persistent social themes. Legendary contributors such as Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins and Stephen Sondheim ensure musical and dramatic excellence. The narrative’s depictions of racism and street crime continue to resonate and affect immigrant communities. Soprano Gabriella Reyes, daughter of immigrants and cast as Maria for LA Opera’s season opener, experienced childhood exposure to anti-Latino slurs and deportation fears. Tenor Duke Kim performs Tony. Francesca Zambello directs, marking her twelfth staging with credits at Bregenz, Sydney and major U.S. houses. The production foregrounds both hate and the love that challenges it.
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