PRESS RELEASE: Full Casting Announced - WEST SIDE STORY at Lyric

CHICAGO (3/18/2019) – The Chicago premiere of Lyric’s new coproduction of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece West Side Story features nearly 100 artists from Chicago and across the country. Performances of the grand-scale musical run at the Lyric Opera House from May 3 - June 2, 2019 (press opening May 4). Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at lyricopera.org or by calling 312-827-5600.

The supporting cast for West Side Story includes artists who have performed on and off Broadway, at Lyric, and around the country. The Lyric stage will be transformed into the streets of New York City when—along with the leading cast members announced earlier this year, Corey Cott (Tony), Mikaela Bennett (Maria), Brett Thiele (Riff), Amanda Castro (Anita), and Manuel Stark Santos (Bernardo)—a stellar ensemble of singers, dancers, and actors will perform the romantic and moving story of Tony and Maria. James Lowe will conduct members of the Lyric Opera Chorus and Orchestra.

The talented supporting cast for West Side Story includes: Adam Soniak (Action), Taylor Simmons (A-rab), Jarred Manista (Baby John), Callan Bergmann (Snowboy), Jeffrey C. Sousa (Diesel), Wesley Ryan (Big Deal), Paul HeeSang Miller (Gee-tar), Juan Caballer (Tiger), Alexa Magro (Anybodys), Alyssa Sarnoff (Pauline), Veronica Sofia Burt (Velma), Julio Rey (Chino), Mark Deler (Pepe), Joshua Lamar (Indio), Michael J. Rios (Nibbles), Sebastian Garcia (Toro), Linedy Genao (Rosalia), Addie Morales (Francisca), Alexandra Matteo (Consuelo), Kayla Moniz (Teresita), Antonia Raye (Estella), and Carolina Villaraos (Margarita).

Chicago-based cast members include: Kyra Sorce (Graziella), Paige Fraser (Minnie), Shannon Alvis (Clarice), Joseph A. Hernandez (Luis), Greg Blackmon (Anxious), Martín Ortiz Tapia (Juano), David Alan Anderson (Doc), Bret Tuomi (Lt. Schrank), Jerry Kernion (Officer Krupke), and Ed Kross (Glad Hand).

Members of the Lyric Opera Chorus performing in West Side Story include: Desirée Hassler, Maia Surace, Corinne Wallace-Crane, Sherry Watkins, Michelle Wrighte, Hoss Brock, Matthew Carroll, William M. Combs, Tyler Samuel Lee, Kenneth Nichols, Ronald Watkins, Nikolas Wenzel.

West Side Story is a coproduction with Houston Grand Opera and Glimmerglass Festival. It is directed by Francesca Zambello, internationally acclaimed opera and theater director. Zambello—who also serves as the artistic director of the Glimmerglass Festival and Washington National Opera—returns to Lyric for the first time since the premiere of her production of Show Boat (2011/12). She has also directed Lyric productions of Tristan und Isolde (2008/09) and Salome (2006/07).

West Side Story will feature the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, recreated for Lyric by Julio Monge. Set designs are by Peter J. Davison, with costumes designed by Jessica Jahn and lighting designed by Mark McCullough. Mark Grey is sound designer and Michael Black is chorus master.

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form.

Founded in 1954, Lyric is dedicated to producing and performing consistently thrilling, entertaining, and thought-provoking opera with a balanced repertoire of core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works; to creating an innovative and wide-ranging program of community engagement and educational activities; and to developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.

Under the leadership of general director, president & CEO Anthony Freud, music director Sir Andrew Davis, and creative consultant Renée Fleming, Lyric strives to become The Great North American Opera Company for the 21st century: a globally significant arts organization embodying the core values of excellence, relevance, and fiscal responsibility.

To learn more about Lyric’s current season, go to lyricopera.org. You can also join the conversation with @LyricOpera on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. #Lyric1819 #LongLivePassion

West Side Story is a coproduction of Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, and the Glimmerglass Festival.

Lyric premiere of Bernstein’s West Side Story generously made possible by Lead Sponsor The Negaunee Foundation and cosponsors an Anonymous Donor, Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin, Robert S. and Susan E. Morrison, Mrs. Herbert A. Vance and Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance, and Northern Trust.

Major in-kind audio support provided by Shure Incorporated.

Based on a conception of Jerome Robbins. Book by Arthur Laurents. Music by Leonard Bernstein. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Original production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.