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1st Night Photos: Jodie Joins West Side Anniversary

| London's West End |

25 July 2008

Soon-to-be Nancy Jodie Prenger was amongst the guests last night (24 July 2008) for the London premiere of the 50th anniversary revival of West Side Story, often dubbed the “greatest American musical”. The production is staged at Sadler’s Wells, where it continues for a limited season until 31 August 2008 as part of an international tour.

In the gangland New York reworking of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Tony, founder of the native Jets, falls in love with Maria, sister of the Puerto Rican Sharks’ leader. The two young lovers are swiftly caught up in a vicious battle between the opposing sides. The musical features a now-classic score with songs such as “America”, “Somewhere”, “Officer Krupke”, “I Feel Pretty”, “Tonight” and “Maria”.

The large ensemble cast includes Ryan Silverman and Sofia Escobar as doomed lovers Tony and Maria (they rotate the roles with Scott Sussman and Elisa Cordova), as well as Lana Gordon, Oneika Phillips and Marco Santiago. It’s directed by Joey McKneely and conducted by Donald Chan – both of whom received warm ovations from the opening night audience.

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For 1st Night Photos, our Whatsonstage.com photographer Dan Wooller was on hand at Sadler’s Wells for the West Side Story curtain call and at the post-show party which took place upstairs at the theatre, attended by the company, Richard O’Brien, Bonnie Langford and other first night guests including Jodie Prenger and her fellow I’d Do Anything contestant Ashley Russell.

– by Theo Bosanquet