West Side Story

One of the best-loved musicals in the history of musical theatre arrives on the stage of the Teatro Sistina in the brand new and eagerly awaited version signed by director Massimo Piparo, adapted for the Italian audience.

Inspired by William Shakespeare's splendid play Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story was born from the genius of Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Jerome Robbins and made its Broadway debut in September 1957, kicking off an incredible success, followed by two award-winning film adaptations: in 1961, with the direction of Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, and in 2021, with Steven Spielberg directing.

Set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, the original story tells of the tensions between two rival gangs and the complicated and thwarted love between Tony, a former member of one, and Maria, sister of the leader of the other, in an emotional and overwhelming narration that combines love, friendship and social issues.

The show is a timeless masterpiece that brings to life an extraordinary blend of drama, music and dance, accompanied by 1950s colourful atmospheres and Bernstein's unforgettable melodies, such as Maria, America, Somewhere and Tonight, performed by the live Orchestra conducted by Maestro Emanuele Friello.