relationship between stages and film. and after the challenges of the pandemic, interest from audiences would certainly be something to shout notjust sing about. well, that brings our special programme devoted to west side story to a close. we hope you have enjoyed the show. for me, going to see west side story was a magical experience. it really is a flawless production, perhaps a little too perfect, too overproduced at times, but really that is a minor complaint. i have to say, more than anything else, west side story proved to me the transcendent power of cinema is still very much alive. i went on a day when the headlines were packed with worrying news about variants. the movie took me to a very different place.
to have been entrusted by the trustees and stephen sondheim to be able to make our west side story. # skyscrapers bloom in america # cadillacs zoom in america. stephen sondheim was notjust a lyricist of the 1957 broadway west side story musical, but also for the 1961 movie and speilberg s new film. sadly, he died at the age of 91, just a few days before the world premiere. # tonight. the production boasts a very talented cast. rachel zegler plays the pivotal role of maria, pretty much an unknown actress. this is her performing maria four years ago, well before stephen spielberg had even heard of her. # i have a love # and it s all that i need.. the actress responded to an open casting call online and was selected from more than 300,000 applicants. rachel zegler may be a novice, but she has no problem selling this grand production