West Side Story came to SPAA!

The West Side Story came to SPAA last weekend for a one-of-a-kind experience just for our SPAA students! Not only were our students treated to watch the spectacular production on stage at Dubai Opera, but they were also given the opportunity after the shows to Q&A with cast members, followed by an exclusive session at SPAA with cast members Stuart, Taylor, Gabi, and Gianna. West Side Story is a musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, the story is set in the mid-1950s in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, then a multiracial, blue-collar neighborhood. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The Sharks, who are recent migrants from Puerto Rico, and the Jets, who are white, vie for dominance of the neighborhood, and the police try to keep order. The young protagonist, Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang's leader, Riff, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, tragic love story, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in musical theatre.   Thank you to the West Side Story team and Dubai Opera for unforgettable memories and an extraordinary performance.