West Side Story, Tykyo 1977 cast staged by Robert Arditti
Somewhere sung by Kayoko Ishu
cast list translated by Mayuko Hall
In 1977, following the success of Illya Darling and the 1974 production of West Side Story, I was asked to restage West Side Story in Japan with a new cast. There were a few major changes but I also had many of my original cast to work with. I was very happy to have Mari Tachikawa playing Anita once more as this is one of the most difficult roles to cast. Baby John from the 74 cast Masachika Ichimura, was moved into the role of Bernardo. At that time West Side Story was maybe the most popular of all musical show in Japan with many fans, and so once again I found myself teaching a new cast this wonderful show.
Robert teaching the prologue to the second cast in Tokyo
Rehearsal of the Mambo
rehearsals of Shark Mambo
Robert teaching Maria, Akiko Kuno the meeting scene and the Cha-cha
setting the entrance into the Dance hall after the meeting sceen
The Quintet rehearsal
rehearsal of the Somewhere Ballet procession
Tony lays dead in Maria's arms after Chino
played by Haruyoshi Nishikubo has shot him
Riff dances the Prologue The Jets perform the Jet Song
Osami Iino played Riff
Something's Coming Anita leads the Sharks in the Mambo
Takesi Kaga as Tony Mari Tachikawa as Anita
Tonight I like to be in America
Takesi Kaga and Akiko Kuno
The Jets in the number Cool
the acting is all important in this number
The War council
with Masachika Ichimura, Osami Iino and Takesi Kaga, Kazuhisa Seshimo
One Hand One Heart
Hey...He he is chicken!
The fatal Rumble which leads to the death of both Riff and Bernardo
I Feel Pretty sung by Maria, Akiko Kuno totally un-aware
that Tony has killed her brother
Takesi Kaga & Akiko Kuno in The Nightmare
the vocal for Somewhere in the Ballet was sung by Kayoko Ishu
Gee Oficer Krupke
Atsumi Miyazaki, Shinichi Kobayashi, Yoichiro Kawahara, Noboru Suzuki
and Koji Hishiya on his knees
Mari Tachikawa & Akiko Kuno sing when Love comes so strong
Your Love is Your Love!
Tony's dead body is carried by members of both gangs
Action played by Koji Hishiya comes face to face with Pepe, Kaoru Honda