A New Generation Takes On West Side Story

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To close their 2026 season, The Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company of South Australia (the MET) is bringing the powerful broadway classic West Side Story to the Arts Theatre this October.

From the opening haunting notes through to the final breath of the score, West Side Story is one of the world’s unforgettable musical theatre masterpieces. Arthur Laurents’ book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is widely regarded as one of the best ever written. The world’s greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre’s finest accomplishments.

The MET has been producing exceptional theatre productions here in Adelaide since 1958. A non-profit theatre company run by an extremely hard working committee and an army of volunteers, The MET produces two high-quality productions at the Arts Theatre on Angas Street in the CBD every year.

It has been twenty years since The MET last produced West Side Story, and this October a new generation of Adelaide’s young theatre performers are breathing new life into one of musical theatre’s most iconic love stories. 

Set in the violent streets of New York during the 1950, audiences are taken to a world where two star crossed lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the ‘American’ Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

West Side Story marked Sondheim’s Broadway debut as a lyricist, and ran for 732 performances, earning two Tony Awards for Best Choreography and Best Scenic Design.

The MET’s production of West Side Story is directed by Selena Britz, with choreography by Jacinta Vistoli and musical direction by Ben Saunders.

West Side Story holds a significant meaning for Britz, having played the role of Rosalia in The MET’s 1996 production. Britz hopes the audiences will be swept up in the music, movement and emotion and leave remembering that, underneath our differences, we all want the same things: to be loved, understood and to belong.

Twenty years ago, in The MET’s 2006 production of West Side Story, Vistoli played the role of Rosalia. Now, in 2026, as choreographer, she says, “It is wonderful to see the commitment of this young cast as they rise to the challenge of Jerome Robbins iconic choreography. The stamina required is enormous, and they are bringing all their youthful raw energy to bear.”

Mastro Ben Saunders not only has worked closely with the cast to bring a fresh, youthful exuberance to the vocal work of the show, but he will also be conducting the live 12-piece orchestra at every performance. 

The MET’s West Side Story features Daniel Scott (Tony), Kahrynn Hartshorne (Maria), Jasmin Paukkunen (Anita) and Ewerton da Silva (Maria’s brother, Bernardo). They will be joined by seasoned performers Russell Ford, Jon McKay and Mark Gamtcheff, portraying the adults who are powerless to prevent tragedy. Accompanying them will be a talented ensemble full of Adelaide’s rising musical theatre stars to bring life to this huge dance and vocal spectacular.

West Side Story features well-known musical theatre classics like Somewhere, Tonight, Americaand Maria.

With ten performances only, and several shows close to being sold-out, don’t miss seeing this powerful Broadway smash-hit musical at the Arts Theatre this October.