A special show which fuses Hollywood classic West Side Story with a live 85-piece orchestra is returning to London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2014 for five special performances.
The show features a re-mastered Blu-ray version of the film with its original vocals and dialog intact.
Performances held in 2012 to mark the film’s 50th anniversary rapidly sold out, now fans are being offered a second chance to enjoy a unique staging of the hit musical.
Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, West Side Story features Robbins’ breathtaking choreography, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a screenplay by Ernest Lehman based on the masterful book by Arthur Laurents.
Leonard Bernstein’s electrifying score, featuring the much loved ‘America’, ‘Somewhere’ and ‘Tonight’, will be dramatically brought to life on stage by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by with Jayce Ogren.
The timeless score saw the film scoop the Best Music Oscar as well as Best Picture.
Jasper Hope, Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Albert Hall, said: ‘West Side Story is an iconic film musical known and loved the world over. The public reaction to the shows and the demand for tickets was simply phenomenal; we knew immediately that we had to bring these live orchestral performances of one of the greatest movies ever made back to the Hall.
“This unique cinematic presentation is a must for any fan of West Side Story but these screenings will also introduce this timeless classic to an entirely new generation’
Jamie Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein’s daughter, said: ‘I was ten years old when the movie of West Side Story came out, and oh, how I adored it. When I see the film now, with live orchestra, the music sounds so madly thrilling that it makes me feel ten years old all over again”
Paul Epstein, Senior Vice President of The Leonard Bernstein Office, said: ‘The brilliance and crispness of the brand new Blu-Ray print, together with the visceral excitement brought by a full orchestra of over 85 musicians, right there in the Hall with you, will make this experience of West Side Story one that you will never forget’
This event is part of the Royal Albert Hall’s series in celebrating classic films with live orchestra. Later this year the venue is hosting the world premiere of Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton.
Tickets are now on sale and priced from £15- £55. To book visit www.royalalberthall.com or call the Box Office on 020 7589 8212
