Why Utah's Broadway Star is Trading Times Square for Ballet West
Utah native Robbie Fairchild, who went from Ballet West Academy student to New York City Ballet Principal and then Broadway sensation, is returning to his roots to perform in this season’s Ballet West production of West Side Story Suite, one of the most ambitious productions in the company’s history.
Ballet West dancers will trade in pointe shoes for high heels and Converse sneakers to dance with swagger that defined the 1950s New York gang culture – all while singing to the musical's iconic songs including "Cool," "America," and "Mambo." This marks a first for Ballet West, as its world-class ballet artists perform complex choreography and vocals simultaneously.
Fairchild's return after performing in Broadway hits like Cats and An American in Paris will see him performing the role of Riff alongside company dancers making their vocal debuts. Broadway veteran guest artist Georgina Pazcoguin will perform the role of Anita, bringing with her coaching she received from the original Anita, Chita Rivera.
Taking Artistic Risks
The production represents something rare in American ballet: a company willing to take artistic risks with its unique vocal requirements. West Side Story Suite requires a cast of 40 who must completely rethink how they approach a ballet performance through dancing, singing, and acting.
Additionally, a ballet company considering West Side Story Suite must first receive permission from lyricist Stephen Sondheim and the estates of Robbins and Bernstein. Companies are then required to hold singing auditions before they even receive permission to perform the work, with a vocal coach assessing whether the company can handle the demanding vocal requirements.
"This rare convergence of artistic excellence and theatrical innovation in West Side Story Suite, along with the rest of our unique season, offers something truly special for our community," says Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute. "The entire season is for everyone—whether you're a lifelong ballet enthusiast or experiencing the art form for the first time. We push boundaries while honoring the cornerstones of ballet tradition. Each production is crafted with imagination and care, ensuring a vibrant, moving experience."
How This Production Changed Dance
When Jerome Robbins choreographed West Side Story in 1957, ballet was at the heart of the production, revolutionizing what American dance could be. He created a musical that fused classical ballet technique with jazz, Latin rhythms, and raw urban energy. Over the years, Robbins continued making Broadway shows while working as associate director at New York City Ballet. The two worlds intersected in 1995 when Robbins brought Broadway magic into the ballet theater with West Side Story Suite, first created for New York City Ballet. The suite condensed the main song and dance numbers from his 1957 musical into a 36-minute work that captures all the energy and emotion of the original.
A Season of Timeless Love
Season subscribers will experience the world's greatest love story in two remarkable forms with Ballet West opening the season this fall in Michael Smuin's Romeo and Juliet, with its theatrical drama and Shakespeare's passionate storytelling of young love destroyed by family hatred, before performing Bernstein and Robbins' West Side Story Suite in April, where the Montagues and Capulets become Jets and Sharks, and Verona's ancient grudges transform into modern urban tensions.
This unique pairing offers season subscribers exceptional value—experiencing two versions of the same universal love story at a fraction of the cost of purchasing individual tickets. As an added bonus, subscribers also enjoy the full spectrum of Ballet West's artistry with Peter Pan, The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, creating a complete theatrical journey throughout the season.
This convergence exemplifies Ballet West's commitment to pushing boundaries while honoring the cornerstones of ballet tradition. Season subscribers become part of Ballet West's artistic innovation and join a community that experiences exceptional artistry all season long.
Ballet West performs Romeo and Juliet at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City Oct. 24 – Nov. 2, 2025, and West Side Story Suite April 10-18, 2025. For tickets and season subscriptions, visit balletwest.org.