With the tour jet-setting from one destination to another, the production crew has three different sets in Europe, Asia and America to facilitate the logistics. The floor and set equipment which are made from steel and aluminium, weigh a total of 11 tons (about 10,000 kilograms) and require five trucks to transport.

Drama runs in Daniel Russell’s family. Russell, who plays Baby John in the Jets, shares the same role with his father Robert Russell, who performed for the production at Cleveland Opera House in 1988.

Donald Chan, who serves as musical supervisor and conductor has directed West Side Story far more than any other conductor has. With more than 100 musicals in his repertoire—including Cabaret and Phantom of the Opera—West Side Story is the one he is often called upon, conducting it for more than 3000 times to date.

The cast and crew has been travelling from one destination to another since last year, with only a 12-day break between its Manila production and Singapore. This means they would have packed their bags for at least 22 times during the tour.

Boasting a young and dynamic company from the United States, company manager Rainer Tominski shares that it is the “first time leaving home” for most of the cast members, who are in their early twenties. “Many of them still live with their parents, and you can see that they’ve really grown after travelling the world,” he said. “Some places have been a culture shock for them, and it has been quite an experience.”

With an intensive choreography and hectic schedule—Tominski shares that the cast performs eight shows per week, reporting three hours before each show for physical and vocal warmups—it can be demanding on each cast member’s body. The production always has a physiotherapist on hand to address any muscle injuries.