This event has finished. See what's on.

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
Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince
By arrangement with Roger L. Stevens
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


Make your evening extra special

The HSBC Platinum Club

Add a taste of luxury to your evening with pre-performance drinks and fine dining.

Enjoy exclusive access to an undercover pop-up restaurant and bar with uninterrupted views overlooking Sydney Harbour, exclusive menus, superior NSW wines, five-star table service, and dedicated restrooms.

Find out more

Get to know the production

West Side Story on Sydney Harbour

Cheat Sheet: West Side Story on Sydney Harbour

Everything you need to know about one of the greatest musicals of all time.

What happens in the story? What should I expect from the music? Here’s everything you need to know…

Read the cheat sheet

7 reasons to see West Side Story on Sydney Harbour

Thinking about spending a night under the stars with a musical masterpiece? Here’s what to expect at Sydney’s best night out!

Find out more

Leonard Bernstein: 8 intriguing insights into the Maestro

The iconic maestro, best known for West Side Story, was not merely a conductor and composer; he was a force of musical innovation and cultural influence.

Find out more
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour

The history of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour

From La Traviata to The Phantom of the Opera. Find out more about the spectacular 10-year history of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, and discover extraordinary behind-the-scenes stories.

Read the article


Frequently Asked Questions


Feel alive in Sydney

Feel alive in Sydney

Explore fine dining and cocktail bars around The Rocks, Circular Quay and Woolloomooloo to excite your senses.

Plan your visit
Strategic Sponsors

DNSW Logo

Naming Rights Partner

IFAC Logo

Patron-in-Chief
Dr Haruhisa Handa
Principal Partner

HSBC logo

Official Airline Partner

Qantas logo

Official Hotel Partner

Pullman Quay Grand


*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.