Tag Archives: Leonard Bernstein

On the Road to Somewhere – Alinta Chidzey in West Side Story [Feature Article]

By: Pepa Wolfe

 
On the Road to Somewhere

Actress Alinta Chidzey is wowing audiences as she burns up the floor in West Side Story, bringing sass and charm to the role of Anita. Life Music Media caught up with her for the Brisbane leg of the Australian Tour.

For someone who has just taken a quick break from an intense tech week to talk to the media, Alinta Chidzey appears very relaxed.

It’s a sunny day at Southbank in Brisbane, where the cast and crew of the classic musical West Side Story are busily preparing to launch the next leg of their Australian tour. Chidzey sits sipping an orange juice and speaks enthusiastically about the role of Anita – the fiery Puerto Rican immigrant unwillingly caught up in a 50s gang war – for which she is receiving rave reviews.
Continue reading On the Road to Somewhere – Alinta Chidzey in West Side Story [Feature Article]

WEST SIDE STORY @ Lyric Theatre QPAC, 7th November 2010 – Live Review

Review by: Pepa Wolfe

West Side Story, the classic piece of Musical Theatre inspired by Romeo and Juliet and conceived by Jerome Robbins, hit Brisbane this week in a flash of movement and colour.

Director Joey McKneely brings a wealth of experience to the Australian production, reimagining again as he has done around the world, this story of star-crossed lovers and feuding gangs on the streets of 1950s New York.

The rear projection of a grainy black and white still of New York City located the piece, surrounded by tiers of iron balconies, the simple scope of the design hinting at the grand scale of the drama that was about to unfold.

A vibrant production, of swirling movement, soaring vocals and rolling accents all buoyed by the full swell of the 19 piece orchestra, West Side Story maintains an intense energy during the group numbers, but wanes a little during the solo pieces. Both Josh Piterman as Tony and Julie Goodwin as Maria were in fine voice, but the outstanding choreography easily stole the show.
Continue reading WEST SIDE STORY @ Lyric Theatre QPAC, 7th November 2010 – Live Review

WEST SIDE STORY @ Lyric Theatre, QPAC Brisbane 4 Nov-5 Dec 2010 – [Theatre News]

“Broadway’s Greatest Dance Musical” – The Times (UK)
“If you buy one ticket, make it this one” – The Observer (UK)

This hot new production of West Side Story, one of the most acclaimed musicals of all time, will play a limited season at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 4 November 2010.

The moment the curtain rose on West Side Story on Broadway, musical theatre was at once changed forever. With groundbreaking choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story created a new face for musical theatre, redefining an entire theatrical genre, with its superb musicality and dramatization.
Continue reading WEST SIDE STORY @ Lyric Theatre, QPAC Brisbane 4 Nov-5 Dec 2010 – [Theatre News]