Something’s Coming to the Gaiety Theatre this month and it promises to be a big hit with audiences.

The Manx Operatic Society, in association with the Isle of Man Bank, is staging the smash hit musical West Side Story from March 21-28.

With music from Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the show gave us some of the greatest songs from Broadway, including Maria, Something’s Coming, Tonight and America.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the story is set in the Upper West Side of New York in the mid-1950s and focuses on the rivalry between two street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Tony, a former member of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the Sharks.

After taking Broadway by storm, West Side Story was later made into a film, starring Natalie Wood, and Richard Beymer. It won 10 Academy awards.

Directed and choreographed by Anthony Williams, the Manx Operatic Society version stars Saroja Lily Ratnavel as Maria and Simon Lynch as Tony, with David Lyons playing Sharks leader Bernardo and Lisa Kreisky taking on the role of Maria’s friend and Bernardo’s girlfriend, Anita. Riff, the leader of the Jets, is played by David Cowley.

Manx Operatic Society chairman Karl Clegg said: ‘We are very excited about putting on West Side Story. It is one of the all-time great musicals telling one of the all-time great love stories.

‘Once again, we are very grateful to Isle of Man Bank for its support. It is thanks to Isle of Man Bank that it is possible to put on shows like this.’

Jane Howland, Corporate Sustainability and Sponsorship Manager at Isle of Man Bank, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to support the Manx Operatic Society in its staging of this show.

‘The society has a long track record of putting on great shows for Manx audiences, while we at Isle of Man Bank have a long track record of supporting the arts scene in the Island.

‘We are convinced it will be another fantastic performance, not to be missed!’

The show runs from March 21-28, except for March 22. Tickets range from ?18.50 for the stalls to ?22 for the circle. Contact the Gaiety Theatre box office on 600555 or visit the website www.cvvg.gov.im

Curtain call: Jane Howland of Isle of Man Bank, back row, centre, meets the cast of the Manx Operatic Society production of West Side Story.