Brampton Music Theatre is presenting West Side Story this November at the Rose Theatre. The production is a modern incarnation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that takes place in a working-class New York neighborhood.
West Side Story’s score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is regarded as one of the best ever written, and the musical is considered one of the greatest of all time.
The story is centered on two rival gangs who battle for dominance on the streets. When a gang member falls in love with a rival’s sister, their fate is determined by the forces of hate, violence and prejudice that surrounds them.
Gabriella Farias and Klint Uzuni were cast to play the roles of Maria and Tony.
Gabriella Farias is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music and has studied at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. She has played Maria in West Side Story before; as well as roles in The Marriage of Figaro and Les Miserables. Gabriella is dedicating her performance to her late father whose memory guides her today.
Klint Uzuni is “overjoyed” to be making his Brampton Music Theatre debut as Tony in West Side Story. Other than performing, he continues his studies towards the completion of a B.A. in Theatre at York University. His past credits include: Ragtime, Jekyll & Hyde, and Leader of the Pack.
This performance of West Side Story features one of the largest orchestras ever assembled for a theatrical presentation at the Rose Theatre. The production is co-produced by the City of Brampton, another first for Brampton Music Theatre which has been in operation since 1963. The caliber of expertise brought forward for the enjoyment of residents is unprecedented in Brampton.
You can learn more about Brampton Music Theatre’s presentation of West Side story in this special episode of Brampton Focus. Host Michael A. Charbon talks to both Farias and Uzuni about their experience preparing for their performance. We also talk with Katrina Gibson who plays the role of Anita, and Music Director Sharon Vandrish on why West Side Story is a theatrical event that you don’t want to miss.
West Side story plays at the Rose Theatre from November 10th to 19th, and tickets can be purchased at the theatre box office or online.
