Jets vs. Sharks in ‘West Side Story’ at Pittsburgh CLO (Tues., 6/11/24)

It doesn’t get any bigger than this. Pittsburgh CLO rockets us into summer with a full-sized, giant-scopic production of West Side Story, the musical that (a) rocked the arts-and-entertainment world with its 1957 premiere, (b) shaped the development of modern musical theater, (c) won a Best-Picture Oscar in its 1961 film adaptation, (d) is the product of a legendary team of creators — Jerome Robbins for the concept, Arthur Laurents for the book, Leonard Bernstein for the music, Stephen Sondheim for the lyrics — and, (e) continues to be an intensely moving and richly enjoyable show. In case you didn’t know, West Side Story draws from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, re-setting the tale in Manhattan. Instead of the star-crossed lovers being from rival clans, the Montagues and Capulets, they’re associated with warring street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Memorable musical numbers range from lovely love songs like “Tonight” to the wacky ensemble piece “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Pittsburgh CLO stages the musical with a cast of 32, headlined by Sabina Collazo as Maria and Spencer LaRue as Tony. See West Side Story at Benedum Center. 7:30 p.m. 237 7th St., Cultural District. (M.V.)

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