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Washington National Opera's "West Side Story"
Posted April 21, 2026
On May 8-15, 2026, Washington National Opera presents the company premiere of Artistic Director Francesca Zambello’s critically acclaimed West Side Story production, which has been lauded for its “masterful combination of high-budget production values and gritty social awareness” (The Saturday Paper, Sydney). The work was created in 1956, the year WNO was established. The production will get the big orchestra treatment that only an opera company can deliver, with Robbins’ original choreography, and will be conducted by Bernstein protégé Marin Alsop and James Lowe. In the leading roles, Tony is played by Ryan McCartan, whose star turns on Broadway include Hans in Disney’s Frozen, Fiyero in the long-running Wicked, and most recently playing Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby. Shereen Pimentel performs the role of Maria—a role she performed both in the 2020 Broadway revival of West Side Story, earning an Outer Critics Circle nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, and last season in Houston Grand Opera’s production. West Side Story will be conducted by Leonard Bernstein protégé Marin Alsop (May 8, 9, 15) and Grammy Award®-nominated conductor James Lowe (May 10 and 14).
“What an amazing opportunity to tell this particular story at this particular time!” shares WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello. “Bernstein examined a violent clash of cultures through an unsparing lens, exposing us to the inevitable tragedy that comes when we see only someone’s ‘other-ness’—and not our shared humanity. Bernstein’ and Shakespeare’s powerful stories powerfully depict how easily fear divides us, and how urgently understanding is needed, both then and now.”
“West Side Story is, for me, one of the greatest scores ever composed,” says Alsop, “It epitomizes Leonard Bernstein’s eclectic and all-consuming grasp of pop culture, Shakespeare, current events and musical expression. Bernstein takes the interval of the tritone, often referred to historically as ‘the devil’s interval’ and uses it to convey the extreme conflict of the narrative, building the entire score to West Side Story on it! Working on this score with this wonderful cast and amazing director will be a privilege.”
Ticket Information
For tickets and information, visit https://washnatopera.org/productions. Patrons who purchased tickets for WNO productions previously held at the Kennedy Center are receiving refunds from the Center and will need to purchase new tickets.
COMPLETE EVENT INFORMATION
West Side Story
Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents; conceived by with original choreography from Jerome Robbins. Original release 1957. West Side Story is a co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
In English with Projected English Titles.
Lyric Baltimore, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln, North Bethesda, Md. 20852
Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 15, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Cast
Ryan McCartan*, Tony
Shereen Pimentel*, Maria
Taylor Harley*, Riff
Amanda Castro*, Anita
Yurel Echezarreta*, Bernardo
Creatives
Marin Alsop, Conductor (May 8, 9, 15)
James Lowe, Conductor (May 10 and 14)
Francesca Zambello, Director
Eric Sean Fogel, Associate Director
Joshua Bergasse*, Choreographer
Kiira Carper, Associate Choreographer
Peter J. Davison, Scenic Designer
Jessica Jahn, Costume Designer
A.J. Guban, Lighting Designer
Mark McCullough, Original Lighting Designer
* Mainstage Debut