‘Westside Story’ with a Durban edge
THE MERCURY ON
UKZN’s Opera Studio and Choral Academy (OSCA) together with Southern Methodist University (SMU), Texas, US, will present Westside Story, the celebrated musical written by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Open dress rehearsal is tonight at 7pm. There will be two free and open performances tomorrow and Sunday at 3pm in the Jubilee Theatre on Princess Alice Avenue, UKZN.
Professor Barbara Hill Moore from SMU is the musical director and organiser of the production in collaboration with Roger Bennett Riggle, director/choreographer, coach accompanists, Jason Smith and David Smith together with UKZN music lecturer Lionel Mkhwanazi.
This West Side Story performance is the outcome of a class project in Musical Theatre Workshop led by Professor Barbara Hill Moore at SMU.
The story takes place in the Upper West Side neighbourhood of New York City in the mid-1950s. With a modern Romeo and Juliet theme, it covers the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.
The members of the Sharks, from Puerto Rico, are taunted by the Jets, a white gang. Tony, a former member of the Jets, is best friends with the gang leader, Riff. Tony falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, leader of the Sharks.
“It is said that this focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre.
“Our students must work together to understand the relevance of the message of West Side Story in today’s culture, both in South Africa and in America,” said Hill Moore.
She said the project was one of five presented since 2011. “We have produced Carousel, South Pacific and Oklahoma, and this is the second Westside Story production, with the first one opening in 2011.”
In 2006, Hill Moore directed the opera Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin in a similar collaboration with students from UKZN. She has offered VISA support and Full Bursary opportunities to 19 students for graduate study at SMU.
According to UKZN music student Ayanda Nkosi, the production is a great way to grow as a performer.
“This is a learning experience for both UKZN and SMU students.
“We have enjoyed working on this production and getting to know the SMU students.”
SMU student Neha Husein added: ‘It’s been an amazing experience to work on this production and with this cast.
“It was particularly exciting to see the progress and growth we’ve made.
“We’ve learnt so much from each other, even a bit of isiZulu, and we will be keeping in touch with each other.’