American director and choreographer, Joey McKneely, admits he was getting anxious about finding a performer who had the voice and presence to play Maria for his Australian tour of West Side Story. But then he says he received a video of Julie Goodwin.

Julie graduated from the TDP in 2006 before continuing her opera studies at the Sydney Conservatorium. Aged just 22, Julie has already won the hearts of Australian theatre audiences, playing Christine 200 times in the Australasian tour of The Phantom of the Opera. Now she will be returning to the stage as Maria and says she is tremendously excited to have won this coveted role.

"When I first heard Julie sing, I knew I was listening to one of the finest voices I had ever heard" said TDP Artistic Director, Mary Lopez.

"It was inspiring to see the way she embraced and appreciated the opportunities that came her way through the TDP. She's a beautiful person inside and outside and deserves to walk alongside Australia's finest stars."

Josh Piterman, a former member of The Ten Tenors, will play Jets leader, Tony, and Julie’s leading man in this unforgettable “Romeo and Juliet” inspired love story.

Joey McKneely, has been directing international productions of West Side Story for 10 years and was trained by the show’s original 1957 choreographer, Jerome Robbins.
 
“I’m still excited. I get a new young cast in every country, which brings a fresh, youthful vibe" said McKneely.

West Side Story will run at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney for six weeks from July 1 before touring the country.