The Fugard Theatre's Smash Hit Musical, WEST SIDE STORY, Wows Johannesburg Audiences

The Fugard Theatre's grand-scale, smash hit, all South African production of WEST SIDE STORY is currently running at the Joburg Theatre's Mandela Theatre in Johannesburg, presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre. The production has garnered rave reviews across the board and played to nightly standing ovations since opening last month in the City of Gold.

WEST SIDE STORY ended a staggeringly successful, sold-out run at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town in 2015, and was the Fugard Theatre's first out-of-house production, five years on from the theatre's official launch in 2010. Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, the creators and producers of other outstanding runaway Fugard Theatre hits like THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, KAT & THE KINGS, ORPHEUS IN AFRICA, CABARET and DISTRICT SIX KANALA, have created a phenomenal 100% South African production on an unprecedented grand scale that left audiences mesmerised night after night in its debut season.

WEST SIDE STORY, Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim's musical theatre masterpiece, is based on an original conception of Jerome Robbins and is arguably one of the world's greatest musicals. The stellar creative team is headed by Matthew Wild as director, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder as musical director and conductor, and choreographer Louisa Talbot. All three will reunite for The Fugard Theatre's production of FUNNY GIRL, which starts performances in Cape Town in April this year.

The Fugard Theatre team has selected the finest South African talent for this production that first premiered on Broadway in New York in 1957. The superb cast of forty performers is backed by a full Philharmonic Orchestra playing Bernstein's magnificent score that includes iconic songs such as "Something's Coming," "Maria," "I Feel Pretty" and "Tonight."

Reprising their roles as Tony, Maria and Bernardo respectively will be Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winners Jonathan Roxmouth as Tony and Lynelle Kenned as Maria and Christopher Jaftha as Bernardo. Bianca le Grange also returns to reprise her role of Anita. Sharing the role of Maria will be the London-based actress and opera singer Filipa van Eck who will perform the role of Maria twice a week.

Craig Urbani plays Shrank and Gladhand. Adrian Galley returns as Doc. Brendan Murray will perform the role of Krupke, alternating with Richard Lothian who will once again be the fight choreographer.

The Jets gang is led once again by Fleur du Cap nominee Stephen Jubber as Riff, backed by a superb cast that includes Daniel Buys and Grant Almirall as Action. Buys will perform the role of Action until 18 February, with Almirall completing the run through 5 March. Sven-Eric Müller is Diesel, Cameron Botha is Snowboy, Keaton Ditchfield is Big Deal, LJ Neilson plays Anybody's, Elzanne Crause is Minnie, Kristin Wilson is Graziella, Tamryn van Houten is Velma and Caitlin Clerk plays Pauline.

In addition to Jaftha, the Sharks include Zolani Shangase as Chino, Carlo McFarlane as Pepe, Duane Williams as Indio, Thami Njoko as Luis, Tevin Wiener as Toro, Sabelo Radebe as Nibbles, Kirsten Rossiter as Rosalia, Chloe Perling as Consuela, Sarah-Ann van der Merwe as Francisca, Natasha Hess as Estella and A Voice and Ipeleng Merafe as Teresita. JP Rossouw, Sibusiso Mxosana, Gemma Trehearn and Nurit Graff complete the talented line-up of remarkable performers.

Inspired by Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET, the tale is set in the Upper West Side neighbourhood in New York City in the mid-1950s. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two street gangs of different backgrounds. The Jets taunt the members of the Sharks. The young protagonist is Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang leader Riff. Tony falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and the focus on social conflict marked a turning point in American musical theatre.

WEST SIDE STORY is a must-see that is guaranteed to be a highlight of Johannesburg's 2017 theatre calendar. The season ends on 5 March and tickets are available through 021 461 4554, Computicket, 08619158000 or directly from the Joburg Theatre directly. The producers recommend an age restriction of 12 years with parental guidance.

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