Synopsis
West Side Story is an American musical set in the Upper West Side of New York in the mid-1950s. Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet the story revolves around two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. The Jets are Polish-American working class teenagers and the Sharks are young Puerto Rican immigrants. The musical opens with a dramatic extended dance sequence where the two gangs face off, showing their extreme dislike for each other and giving the audience a hint of the violence to come. The gangs are warned to stay apart by the local police but they arrange, during a war council meeting, to have a rumble for control of the streets. The fight has disasterous consequences when one member of each gang gets killed. Events have now been set in motion which will lead to a dramatic, emotional conclusion. This was never going to be a happy ending and the feelings of hatred and mistrust intensify as the plot continues to advance. A ray of hope is offered by the secret relationship of Tony (a Jet) and Maria (a shark) but even they cannot put a halt to the rivalry.
Characters
- Tony (Romeo) - Tony used to be the leader of the Jets but has left the group as he's got a bit older. He is persuaded by Riff to attend the Dance at the Gym where he spots Maria and falls in love with her. He doesn't know that she is the sister of his enemy and is shocked when he finds out but isn't willing to let this keep them apart. Tony promises Maria that he will stop the rumble but despite trying he isn't able to stop Riff being killed and attacks Bernardo to get revenge. He is told to flee after the fight and goes into hiding but not before a visit to Maria's bedroom. The lovers make plans to run away together before they are interrupted by Anita and Tony retreats to Doc's with the rest of the Jets.
- Maria (Juliet) - Maria is the younger sister of Bernardo who has just arrived in America and is intended for Chino. She feels like her brother treats her like a baby and wants nothing more than to be thought of as an adult. When she meets Tony at the dance the rest of the room vanishes and she can see only him. For her it is love at first sight and she is angry when Bernardo sends her home and forbids her to see her love again. She is very happy when Tony turns up at her balcony to serenade her and later promises herself to him in a mock wedding celebration in the shop where she works. Maria is devestated when she learns that her brother has been killed but her love for Tony is too strong and she reassures him that she is still his. When he has to leave quickly Maria sends him a message to reaffirm their plans but instead it is reported that Maria has been shot by Chino which leads Tony going in search of the young Puerto Rican.
- Riff (Mercutio) - Riff is the leader of the Jets since Tony has left. He is quick tempered and keen for a fight with the Sharks but is intelligent enough to keep his Jets calm until the time comes. He persuades Tony to attend the Dance at the Gym when they broach the idea of a rumble with Bernardo as he still respects his old friend, even though he seems to have gone straight. Riff is killed at the end of Act I after he is accidentally stabbed by Bernardo after they had agreed there would be no weapons involved.
- Bernardo (Tybalt) - Bernardo is the leader of the Sharks and Maria's older brother. He is very protective of her and is not happy with the thought of her mixing with any of the Jets. He is eager for a street fight so that his gang can be proven to be the hardest on the street. Bernardo has a quick temper and a firey relationship with his girlfriend Anita. He kills Riff by accident and is in turn murdered by Tony at the end of Act I in retaliation.
- Anita (Nurse) - Anita is the girlfriend of Bernardo and best friend of Maria. She sees it as her duty to look after Maria and thinks of her as a baby. She is very sexy and is a strong personality. She does not approve of Maria's potential relationship with Tony and this intesifies when Bernardo is killed. She is distraught and tries to warn Maria away from Americans although she is begrudingly won over and agrees to deliver a message to Tony. She arrives at Doc's, where the Jets are hiding Tony, and before she can pass on Maria's message she is attacked by the boys. Doc stops them before they can get too violent but Anita is livid and spitefully tells them that Maria has been killed by Chino. This is the final straw for Tony who goes out looking for Chino, begging to be killed too.
- Chino (Paris) - Bernardo's best friend and Maria's suitor. Chino is hot-tempered and looking forward to the fight. After Tony has killed Bernardo, Chino goes to look for him armed with a gun. At the end of the story Chino kills Tony.
Popular Songs
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The Sharks and their girls let off steam before the council meeting - Act 1 Scene 5
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Creators
Book/Script by Arthur Laurents
Laurents (1917-2011) was an American playwright, stage director and screen director. Born Arthur Levine, he grew up in New York with two younger siblings to middle-class Jewish parents. West Side Story was the first musical he wrote and led to his first nomination for a Tony Award. More musicals were to follow including Gypsy, Hallelujah Baby! and Nick and Nora. Laurents' directing credits on Broadway include Gypsy, La Cage aux Follies (for which he won a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical) and the 2009 revival of West Side Story.
Laurents (1917-2011) was an American playwright, stage director and screen director. Born Arthur Levine, he grew up in New York with two younger siblings to middle-class Jewish parents. West Side Story was the first musical he wrote and led to his first nomination for a Tony Award. More musicals were to follow including Gypsy, Hallelujah Baby! and Nick and Nora. Laurents' directing credits on Broadway include Gypsy, La Cage aux Follies (for which he won a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical) and the 2009 revival of West Side Story.
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Bernstein (1918-1990) was an American composer, conductor, author, pianist and music lecturer. He became famous due to his long time position as musical director of the New York Philharmonic as well as his musical work. Bernstein was the first conductor to lecture on television about classical music, his first lecture in 1954. He wrote for ballet, opera, musicals, orchestras, film and other theatre as well as composing in an number of other genres. He had a long and varied career although his most successful muscial remains West Side Story.
Bernstein (1918-1990) was an American composer, conductor, author, pianist and music lecturer. He became famous due to his long time position as musical director of the New York Philharmonic as well as his musical work. Bernstein was the first conductor to lecture on television about classical music, his first lecture in 1954. He wrote for ballet, opera, musicals, orchestras, film and other theatre as well as composing in an number of other genres. He had a long and varied career although his most successful muscial remains West Side Story.
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Sondheim (1930-present) is an American composer and lyricist who has made numerous contributions to musical theatre in a career which exceeds 50 years. He has won numerous awards including 8 Tony awards, something which makes him stand out from all other composers. His musical successes include West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Follies and Sweeney Todd although he has also branched out to write songs for other stage productions as well as for film and television.
Sondheim (1930-present) is an American composer and lyricist who has made numerous contributions to musical theatre in a career which exceeds 50 years. He has won numerous awards including 8 Tony awards, something which makes him stand out from all other composers. His musical successes include West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Follies and Sweeney Todd although he has also branched out to write songs for other stage productions as well as for film and television.
Notable Productions
Interesting facts
- The production was originally entitled "East Side Story".
- George Chakiris won an Academy award for his portrayal of Bernardo in the 1961 film but he played Riff in the Original London production.
- Michael Jackson watched West Side Story almost every week and it was his favourite film, according to a family friend.
- Pixar animator Aaron Hartline used the first meeting between Tony and Maria as inspiration for the moment when Ken meets Barbie in Toy Story 3.
- Elvis Presley was approached to play Tony in the film version but turned the role down.
- In the 1961 film version Marni Nixon dubbed the singing voice of Maria and Jimmy Bryant sang Tony's songs.
Am Dram Corner
I performed in this wonderful show a couple of years ago with some very talented people. As soon as I find my DVD I'll upload a few videos!