General Rehearsals
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: West Side Story
Wed 20 & Thu 21 MarchGeneral Rehearsals
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: West Side Story
Wed 20 & Thu 21 MarchThis event has finished. See what's on.
Tickets are available to everyone involved in Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: West Side Story with a limit of 2 tickets to either of the two rehearsals. Your tickets will be emailed to you three days prior to the chosen rehearsal.
Dates
22 March–21 April 2024
Venue
Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney
Language
Performed in English.
Running time
Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one interval.
Please note
This production contains strong language, adult themes and a depiction of sexual violence; not recommended for children under the age of 12.
Book 4+ tickets and Save!*
That’s a saving of up to $200 when you book four A-reserve tickets to a performance*.
Simply select the ‘Group of 4+’ price when choosing your seats and your group discount will be automatically applied.
West side story
Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS
| Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS |
Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN |
Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM |
| Entire Original Production Directed And Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS |
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| Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince By arrangement with Roger L. Stevens |
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| Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia). | ||
Tonight, tonight the world is wild and bright. Going mad, shooting sparks into space!
Musical masterpiece West Side Story exploded onto Broadway in 1957 in a sensational storm of exuberant dance and wistful romance. It was a phenomenon that never faded, “an incandescent piece of work” (The New York Times).
In 2024, the iconic musical returns to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in an electrifying, larger-than-life staging. Experience the greatest score ever written for musical theatre, dynamic dance numbers that soar through the open air, and a love story for the ages.
It’s war on New York’s Upper West Side in this modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. The Jets and the Sharks are locked in a fierce turf battle, but as the two teen gangs hurtle down a dangerous path, Tony and Maria cross enemy lines, dreaming of a time and place where they can love freely.
Leonard Bernstein’s score is punctuated with hits: ‘America’, ‘Tonight’, ‘Maria’, ‘I Feel Pretty’, and the enduring ‘Somewhere’.
Opera and musical theatre great Francesca Zambello directs a production that revels in all that’s beautiful about West Side Story, with designers Brian Thomson and Jennifer Irwin transforming Sydney into a slice of New York.
See why this staging became the highestselling ever on the harbour-top stage, delighting audiences and critics. Limelight called it “a wonderful production that uses the large, outdoor space cleverly, thrills with its electrifying choreography and catchy, complex score ★★★★½”.
If you’ve never been to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, prepare for a remarkable night out. Arrive early to enjoy the sun setting over Sydney Harbour as you raise a glass and drink in the view at one of the five pop-up bars and restaurants on site. Then take your place in the grandstand by the water to enjoy the enthralling show, complete with live orchestra hidden beneath the dramatic stage and fireworks in the balmy night air.
“A wonderful production that uses the large, outdoor space cleverly, thrills with its electrifying choreography and catchy, complex score ★★★★½”
Limelight
Cast & Creative
Director
Musical Director
Associate Director
Revival Choreographer
Set Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Revival Sound Designer
Tony
Maria
Anita
Riff
Bernardo
Standby Tony
Standby Maria
Opera Australia Orchestra
Doc
Schrank
Officer Krupke
Gladhand
The Jets
The Sharks
Swing
Frequently Asked Questions
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is located at Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney.
When walking from the train, bus, or ferry remember that access to the venue via the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is only possible prior to 6:30pm in March and 6pm in April.
Please note there is a marine exclusion zone for the duration of the event.
Mrs Macquaries Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion. We highly recommend avoiding this road by catching public transport or parking in surrounding car parks and then catching our free shuttle bus. Or, be delivered right to the Point in style by catching a water taxi.
Public transport
When walking from the train/bus remember that access to the venue via the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is only possible prior to 6:30pm in March and 6pm in April. After this time, the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is closed from all entrances and not possible to walk through.
The nearest train stations are:
St James: approximately a 16-minute walk* (1.3 km)
Martin Place: approximately an 18-minute walk* (1.5 km)
Circular Quay: approximately a 29-minute walk* (2.3 km)
*These linked maps and estimated walk times use routes outside of The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. If you're walking before the Garden gates close (prior to 6.30pm in March and 6pm in April), using a route through the Garden will save time.
Bus route 200 stops on Macquarie Street. View the timetable.
All schedules, times and dates can be viewed at the transportnsw.info.
Parking
The Domain Car Park is the closest car park. The car park is open 24 hours. A free shuttle bus is available to guests who park in the Domain Car Park (see details below). Parking spots for those with mobility parking scheme permits are located at the northern end of the ground floor.
There is metered parking along Mrs Macquaries Road, Hospital Road and Macquarie Street. Meters accept credit card or payment by mobile phone.
Art Gallery Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion. We highly recommend arranging an alternative drop off/meeting point.
Complimentary shuttle bus (wheelchair accessible)
The pre-performance shuttle service runs from 4:30pm until the start of the performance on a loop from the Domain Car Park (departing from Sir John Young Crescent on the ground floor) to the venue entrance on Mrs Macquaries Road. The shuttle ride takes approximately 5 minutes, depending on traffic. The pre-performance shuttle bus does not stop at the Art Gallery of NSW. We recommend arriving early to ensure you have time to be seated before the start of the performance.
The post-performance shuttle service starts from 8:45pm and runs until midnight, or until the last patron has left, and stops at the Domain Car Park. The post-performance shuttle bus does not stop at the Art Gallery of NSW.
The post-performance shuttle service starts from 8:45pm and runs until midnight, or until the last patron has left, and stops at the Domain Car Park. The post-performance shuttle bus does not stop at the Art Gallery of NSW.
View shuttle bus drop-off and pick-up points
View shuttle pick-up point at the Domain Car Park
The Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour shuttle bus departs from the ground floor of the Domain Car Park and is wheelchair accessible.
Water taxi
Water taxis run a special service during the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour performance season.
Water taxis will depart regularly from Man O’War Jetty (near the Sydney Opera House) from 5pm until 7.30pm* and drop off at The Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool wharf in Woolloomooloo Bay, which is a 3-minute walk to the venue. Please note there is a number of stairs leading up from the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool wharf to the performance venue.
After the performance, taxis will recommence for the return trip and make a drop-off stop only at Circular Quay. Tickets are $15 one way or $30 return.
* This is a latecomers service and will get you to the venue AFTER the start of the performance. Note that patrons arriving late will not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. This break may not be until interval. Patrons who are late may not be seated in their allocated seat.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is an open-air and all-weather event
The venue, audience seating, and the stage are completely uncovered. The event is an all-weather experience and we are committed to going ahead with a performance of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour even in doubtful or unfavourable weather conditions. Please come prepared so that you are as comfortable as possible, and ready to support the performers, who will carry on singing in the rain.
Bring warm and waterproof clothing
Sydney weather is full of surprises so we recommend that you dress with this in mind and bring warm, weatherproof clothing. Please note that although umbrellas can be brought to the venue, out of consideration for other members of the audience they cannot be used during the performance.
Ponchos
Biodegradable ponchos will be available to purchase at the event. Once disposed of, the poncho takes about a year to break down and become a protein of the ecosystem. We’ll be donating any profit from the sale of ponchos to Clean Up Australia.
Ticket exchanges
You may call our box office on +61 2 9318 8200 to exchange your tickets. You must request an exchange or refund at least two working days before the Event. We will only exchange or refund your tickets in our sole discretion or as required by law.
You can also exchange your tickets online, or receive a credit voucher for the value of your tickets, right up until the start of the performance.
Performance pauses and cancellations
We will only cancel a performance during electrical storms (within 10km radius) or during times of extremely high winds and/or rain. We will not cancel a performance until 7:30pm or later. We may decide to cancel a performance once the show is underway. Please plan to travel to the venue for a 7:30pm performance start time even in unfavourable weather conditions.
In some weather conditions, we may delay the start time of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour or pause for up to 50 minutes at any point throughout the performance.
Auxiliary expenses including travel, accommodation or hospitality which you have arranged in conjunction with the performance are at your own risk and Opera Australia cannot refund these.
Accessible Seating
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has wheelchair and companion seating allocations available.
Customers requiring the wheelchair and/or companion seating should contact the Opera Australia customer service team on 02 9318 8200, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Wheelchair and companion seating can only be booked over the phone.
The best seats for persons with limited mobility who are not wheelchair users are in the first 5 rows of sections A–E.
When patrons enter the venue via ‘Entry (Sections A–E)’ they will walk downhill to their seats and then up a few stairs to seats in higher rows if seats are not booked in row A. Upon exiting the venue, the path is uphill and persons with limited mobility may consider requesting the use of a Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour wheelchair and assistance if required
Assistance Animals
Assistance animals trained to assist people with disability are welcome at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Please phone our box office on 02 9318 8200 to make your booking so we can allocate you appropriate seating.
Courtesy wheelchairs
Patrons requiring a wheelchair should make contact with the onsite Box Office who will arrange for a transfer to allocated seating by wheelchair.
Lift access
There is a lift available for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.
The lift provides access from Ground level (bottom of the grandstand) to level 1 (HSBC Platinum Club) and Level 2 (Northern Terrace and upper Grandstand).
Stairs
If you have difficulties with stairs, we advise purchasing tickets in the first five (5) rows of sections A to E to minimise the number of stairs you must climb. When booking via the phone, please let our box office staff know so you can be seated in this area to best suit your mobility requirements. Our ushers are also very helpful, so please ask them for assistance.
Refer to Access Guide which includes venue step count and surface description to assist with choosing your seats.
Audio Described Performance
Wednesday 17 April 2024, 7:30pm
To book an Audio Description headset and seats in the best area to receive the Audio Description transmission, please call (02) 9318 8200
Captioned Performance
Sunday 7 April 2024, 7:30pm
Closed captions for the performance will be transmitted to the GoTheatrical app on your Apple or Android device.
Auslan Interpreted Performance
Thursday 11 April 2024, 7:30pm
To book the special allocation of seats directly in front of where the interpreters will be, please call (02) 9318 8200 or email customerservice@opera.org.au
We recognise the needs of breastfeeding parents but are unable to provide dedicated parent facilities at Handa Opera on the Harbour. All children (including infants) attending the event are required to have their own ticket, available for purchase online, over the phone, or at the box office. If the event team can offer any additional assistance regarding breastfeeding at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, please phone our box office on (02) 9318 8200.
There are five bar and restaurant areas at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour with a range of options.
The site opens at 5pm so you can enjoy a drink and some food while you watch the sun set over the harbour.
With five pop-up restaurants and roving bars on site, there’s an option to suit every appetite and budget.
HSBC Platinum Club
The HSBC Platinum Club is an undercover restaurant and bar with spectacular views overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Indulge in exclusive gourmet menus, five-star table service, superior NSW wines, and dedicated restrooms. Bookings essential. See the menus on offer.
Northern Terrace
Hot meals, small bites and desserts. See the menu.
Northern Cantina
More substantial meals, quick bites and desserts. See the menu.
Southern Terrace
Pizza, salads and quick bites. See the menu.
Garden Bar
Hot meals, share plates, small bites and desserts. See the menu.
Please don’t bring a picnic. Only food and beverages purchased on site can be consumed within the venue.
There’s no compulsory dress code. Wear what you’ll feel comfortable in and make sure you wear sensible shoes, as you will have to walk up and down stairs to reach your seats.
Sydney weather is full of surprises so we recommend that you dress with this in mind and bring warm, weatherproof clothing.
Please purchase your tickets through authorised ticket sellers.
Opera Australia is the primary ticket seller for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. We have also authorised other ticket sellers (including Sydney Opera House, Ticketmaster, TodayTix).
Opera Australia will cancel any tickets that we can identify have been purchased through unauthorised sellers for more than 10% above their original cost. Unauthorised sellers include but are not limited to Viagogo, Tickets Australia, Ticket Merchant, Ticket Blaster, TicketBis, Ticketmaster Resale, Queen of Tickets, eBay or Gumtree.
If you attend an event with such a ticket, we will not admit you into the venue. We will also void forged and fraudulent tickets (for example, where multiple copies have been made of the same tickets).
There are an increasing number of unauthorised ticket resellers operating online. We don’t want anyone to have a nasty surprise, so if you have any questions or concerns about the validity of your tickets or the authorisation of your ticket seller, please contact us on 02 9318 8200 or email customerservice@opera.org.au.
You can also find detailed information about unauthorised ticket sales on the NSW Fair Trading website.
Strategic Sponsors
Naming Rights Partner
Patron-in-Chief
Dr Haruhisa Handa
Principal Partner
Official Airline Partner
Official Hotel Partner
*Group 4+ discount available on all performances excluding opening, closing, Good Friday, and Saturday performances. Saving of $200 on four A Reserve tickets available on Friday performances only.