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A Symphonic Take On The Music Of ‘West Side Story’

WUNC News | By Frank Stasio,
Dana Terry
Published May 17, 2019 at 11:59 AM EDT
Zach Meeker, conductor Jim Waddelow and the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra rehearse for the upcoming performance.
Zach Meeker, conductor Jim Waddelow and the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra rehearse for the upcoming performance.
Zach Meeker, conductor Jim Waddelow and the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra rehearse for the upcoming performance.
Credit Raleigh Little Theatre
Zach Meeker, conductor Jim Waddelow and the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra rehearse for the upcoming performance.

When “West Side Story” debuted on Broadway in 1957, it was an instant hit. The new take on “Romeo and Juliet” set in 1950s New York City earned seven Tony nominations in its first year.By 1961, the musical was turned into a movie that was equally successful and took home 10 Academy Awards.

Host Frank Stasio speaks with Raleigh Little Theatre’s Artistic Director Patrick Torres, Raleigh Symphony's music director Jim Waddelow and singers Zach Meeker and Alyssa White about their upcoming performance of 'West Side Story.'

But it is the music of Leonard Bernstein paired with the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim that has made “West Side Story” a favorite among theater lovers for generations. Raleigh Little Theater is joining forces with Raleigh Symphony Orchestra to bring this music to life in “West Side Story” Symphony Concert. Host Frank Stasio previews the event with Raleigh Little Theatre’s Artistic Director Patrick Torres and the music director of the Raleigh Symphony, Jim Waddelow. Singers Zach Meeker and Alyssa White join them in studio for conversation and live performance. The symphonic concert is on stage this Saturday, May 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday May, 19 at 3 p.m. at Raleigh Little Theatre’s Stephenson Amphitheater in Raleigh.

 

Copyright 2019 North Carolina Public Radio
Frank Stasio
Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.
See stories by Frank Stasio
Dana Terry
Dana is an award-winning producer who began as a personality at Rock 92. Once she started creating content for morning shows, she developed a love for producing. Dana has written and produced for local and syndicated commercial radio for over a decade. WUNC is her debut into public radio and she’s excited to tell deeper, richer stories.
See stories by Dana Terry