Carnegie Hall’s Production of West Side Story

“I still have a lot of room to grow, but this has definitely prepared me for the future.” —Emanuel Figueroa, apprentice cast member

The original choreography by Jerome Robbins was reset by Julio Monge in this production. Here, he leads the dancers during auditions.

The score was expanded to include new arrangements for a 200-voice youth choir. Here, they rehearse in the Resnick Education Wing with Musical Supervisor Leslie Stifelman.

Citywide auditions were held for participation in the choir, which included singers from 26 different high schools in all five boroughs of New York City.

Morgan Hernandez and Skylar Astin, who performed the roles of Maria and Tony, respectively, take a break from rehearsal. At only 18 years old, this marked Hernandez’s New York City debut.

Emilio Ramos, Alex Ringler, and Olatuyo Bosede rehearse the “Jet Song” with members of the student choir, under the direction of Musical Supervisor Leslie Stifelman.

On February 21, the cast, choir, and orchestra joined forces for the first time. More than 300 performers came together to rehearse the score under the direction of Marin Alsop.

“It’s fascinating to see these kids rise to the occasion. I know this is going to change their lives.” —Julio Monge, re-creator of Jerome Robbins’s choreography

The orchestra included 40 musicians—larger than any Broadway production of West Side Story.

Skylar Astin (Tony) and Morgan Hernandez (Maria) rehearse the balcony scene. Given the warehouse location, an industrial stepladder made for a suitable balcony.

Director Amanda Dehnert speaks with the cast after rehearsal.

In the months leading up to the show, the 50,000-square-foot Knockdown Center was transformed from an empty warehouse into a fully functioning theater.

Before the performance, audience members could visit A Place for Us, an interactive exhibit showcasing work inspired by The Somewhere Project from community members across the city.

World roots band Brown Rice Family provided pre-show entertainment.

The band performed songs created by students and community members as part of The Somewhere Project.

With a colorblind approach to casting, the audience was able to identify the Sharks and the Jets through their clothing rather than by the color of the members’ hair or skin.

Jerome Robbins’s choreography is one of the most iconic parts of West Side Story. It draws on a mixing pot of influences: mambo, Lindy hop, American swing, stage fighting, and ballet.

In addition to Jerome Robbin’s choreography, Sean Cheesman created additional choreography for the production, bringing influences from popular dance of the last few decades into the mix, performed here by high school–aged apprentice Emanuel Figueroa (Big Deal) and Olutayo Bosede (Gee-Tar).

“What’s been so great mixing the professional actors/dancers/singers with these young students is seeing how the ‘old pros’ are mentoring the young kids.” —Sean Cheesman, choreographer

Musical Director and Conductor Marin Alsop conducted the orchestra and choir.

“It’s a show about young people and about youth, and [the choir] adds a level of authenticity and innocence and real beauty to this story.” —Marin Alsop, musical director and conductor

Members of the choir also joined Skylar Astin (Tony) and Morgan Hernandez (Maria) onstage for “One Hand, One Heart.”

“Somewhere,” sung by an offstage voice in the original production of West Side Story, was instead performed by the choir in this production. At the end of the song, the choir moved from its risers and onto the stage, surrounding the audience with the song’s hopeful message.

The high school–aged apprentices performed alongside the professionals. Here, Anijah Lezama (Estella), age 16, dances with Damon J. Gillespie (Chino) during “America.”

The apprentice cast members had the stage to themselves during Jerome Robbins’s “Somewhere” ballet.

Following the performance, Musical Director and Conductor Marin Alsop joined Donald Jones Jr. (Bernardo), Bianca Marroquín (Anita), Skylar Astin (Tony), Morgan Hernandez (Maria), and Manny Stark (Riff) onstage for the curtain call.