West Side Story

The iconic musical West Side Story is coming to Maastricht in March 2026. This production is organised by theatre producers Ruud de Graaf and Hans Cornelissen. Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story tells the story of the forbidden love between Tony and Maria in a New York torn apart by gang wars.

World-famous music and grand live orchestra
The musical features world-famous songs such as Maria, America, Tonight and I Feel Pretty, composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. A large live orchestra of 19 musicians will perform the music, adding to the grandeur of the production.

Years of preparation and return to major theatres
The producers are delighted with the return of this musical, which was last seen in the Netherlands in 1996. They have worked for almost a decade to make this production possible. After the success of Les Misérables, everything gained momentum, and now this huge production is coming to major theatres in the Netherlands, including Theater aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht.

A young and diverse cast
The new production will feature a young, energetic and diverse cast to do full justice to the characters of the rival gangs. The lead roles will be played by Silvana Rocha (Maria), Thijs Snoek (Tony), Esmée Dekker (Anita), Calvin Kromheer (Riff) and Davy Reedijk (Bernardo). The full ensemble numbers 36. This completely innovative version, combined with a cast full of up-and-coming musical talent, makes West Side Story appealing to both true musical fans and a new generation of theatre-goers.

A timeless and topical story
West Side Story remains relevant after 70 years because of its themes of forbidden love, gentrification, poverty and racism. Its rousing music and impressive choreography make West Side Story a timeless classic. The musical was first seen on the big screen in 1961, with Natalie Wood as Maria and Richard Beymer as Tony. In 2021, Steven Spielberg made a grand new film version. The musical remains a powerful and emotional experience that continues to appeal to both old and new generations.