LA Opera Reimagines *West Side Story* With Bold Operatic Twists for 40th Season
Los Angeles Opera has launched its 40th season with a bold production of West Side Story at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The show blends the energy of the original Broadway musical with operatic scale, featuring powerful voices and striking choreography.
The story of West Side Story began in 1949, when choreographer Jerome Robbins proposed a modern Romeo and Juliet to composer Leonard Bernstein. Their collaboration resulted in a groundbreaking Broadway musical—not originally intended as an opera. Bernstein later emphasised that the work’s emotional climax comes not from song but from Maria’s spoken final lines.
This new staging keeps much of the original’s look, including Robbins’ iconic dances and Arthur Laurents’ script. Yet subtle updates appear: the Jets are no longer all Anglo, and Tony, played by tenor Duke Kim, is identified as Korean rather than Polish. Soprano Gabriella Reyes delivers a standout performance as Maria, particularly in her raw, spoken condemnation of gun violence.
Under music director James Conlon, the score gains a sweeping grandeur that deepens the rivalry between the gangs. The production also uses L.A. Opera’s chorus to reinforce the singers’ voices, creating an unusual, almost surreal effect.
The opera’s take on West Side Story blends tradition with fresh perspectives. By casting opera singers in leading roles and tweaking the show’s cultural backdrop, the production offers a new way to experience a classic. The season opener runs at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, bringing Bernstein’s vision to life with renewed intensity.
