Washington National Opera revives West Side Story in Baltimore with a 50-piece orchestra
The Washington National Opera (WNO) is bringing West Side Story to Baltimore’s Lyric theatre from May 8 to May 10. This production marks the company’s return to the city after its split from the Kennedy Center. A 50-piece orchestra will accompany the performances, raising the stakes for local audiences. Marin Alsop, former music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, is leading the production. She sees this as a pivotal moment for Baltimore’s arts scene and hopes it will attract more major performances in the future. The WNO is fine-tuning final details before the curtain rises.
The show’s leads, Ryan McCartan and Shereen Pimentel, describe *West Side Story* as a timeless piece. Its themes of love and conflict still resonate strongly today. After its run at the Lyric, the production will move to the Strathmore in Bethesda for additional performances. Tickets remain available for all shows. Organisers encourage early booking as interest grows.
This revival of West Side Story signals a new chapter for the WNO in Baltimore. With a full orchestra and a celebrated conductor, the production aims to leave a lasting impact. Further performances will follow in Bethesda, extending its reach beyond the city.
