Musical masterpiece West Side Story exploded onto Broadway in 1957 in a sensational storm of exuberant dance and wistful romance. It was a phenomenon that has never faded – with both the 1961 and 2021 film adaptations winning Academy Awards.
In 2024, the iconic musical returns to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in an electrifying, larger-than-life staging. While we’ve seen several Opera Australia productions in the past, this was our first experience watching one of their performances on Sydney Harbour.
And what an absolute spectacle it was!
The size and scale of this production is on another level. The massive open-air stage is a sight to behold, and with the backdrop of the iconic Sydney Harbour – it manages to take your breath away before the overture has even begun.
But then the show’s iconic score swells and soars through the night air, and that epic stage is filled with an energetic ensemble of 33 dancers – using every inch of it for maximum impact. Sydney is transformed into a slice of New York and the audience is treated to a love story for the ages. It’s easy to see why this is the most popular production ever staged at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story, West Side Story is a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Its war on New York’s Upper West Side, as the Jets and the Sharks are locked in a fierce turf battle. As the two teen gangs hurtle down a dangerous path, Tony and Maria cross enemy lines, dreaming of a time and place where they can love freely.
The soundtrack, written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is punctuated with Broadway showstoppers: ‘America’, ‘Tonight’, ‘Maria’, ‘I Feel Pretty’, and the enduring ‘Somewhere’.
If you’ve never been to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, prepare for a remarkable night out. Arrive early to enjoy the sun setting over Sydney Harbour as you raise a glass and drink in the view at one of the pop-up bars and restaurants on site. Then take your place in the grandstand by the water to enjoy the enthralling show, complete with live orchestra hidden beneath the stage and fireworks in the balmy night air.
Known as one of Sydney’s most spectacular night’s out, an evening at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour doesn’t disappoint.
For tickets and info on future Opera Australia productions, visit opera.org.au