Countdown to West Side Story: JongKC brings timeless musical to life
8 July 2024
For a year, the talented students of JongKC have been preparing for their rendition of Leonard Bernstein's iconic musical West Side Story. Under the inspiring leadership of director Bart Oomen, conductor Leonard Kwon and choreographer Lonneke van Leth, the time has finally come. Next week, they will perform their talents no less than four times in a completely sold-out Conservatoriumzaal in The Hague.
A unique experience for young talents
Ninthe shines as Maria, one of the leading roles in the musical. "It's a nice change to do a musical for once, which is quite different from the other years," Ninthe says enthusiastically. The rehearsals led by the director have taught her a lot: "I learned to use the energy of my antagonists, and respond to it." She also stresses how special it is to work with a live orchestra, which adds an extra dimension to the performance.
Tom, who plays the role of Tony, shares his experience: "It's really nice that in your role you can both recognise things about yourself, but also discover things that are just the opposite of your personality. It's nice that in this way I also get to know several sides of myself. Everything we do on the floor is of course played, but everything you play you can also take with you into the rest of your life."
A spectacle of music and dance
The production promises to be an unforgettable experience, with music provided by the Atheneum Chamber Orchestra and various ensembles, including jazz combos, a recorder ensemble, percussion ensemble, pianists and a big band. It is a wonderful fusion of talent and creativity, in which the timeless themes of love, struggle and reconciliation are brought to life in a compelling way.