Romeo & Juliet in the Ghetto West Side Story is a modern version of Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo & Juliet. It shows the conflict between the White and Puerto Rican gangs in 1950’s New York City. Opening on Broadway in 1957, West Side Story was revolutionary for its time. The story was very modern and violent, including teenage rebellion, gang violence, racism, murder, and other problems in American society. Almost all of the characters do a lot of modern dancing in the production.

Movie West Side Story was made into a popular movie in 1961 starring Natalie Wood. It won 10 Oscars including Best Picture, the most that any musical film has ever won. There has been word that Stephen Spielberg has shown interest in remaking the film.

Composer & Lyricist Leonard Bernstein ( ) was a well-known composer and conductor who wrote musicals, operas, ballets and chamber music. Because of his classical background, West Side Story’s music is quite a bit more complex than the usual musical. It also includes a lot of Latin music elements. Stephan Sondheim (b. 1938) wrote the lyrics as a young man, but went on to become one of the most successful modern musical composers himself. (Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd)

The Story The Sharks (Puerto Rican immigrants) and the Jets (White) gangs have territory disputes that erupt into fights broken up by the police. The gang leaders Bernardo (Sharks) and Riff (Jets) plan an all-out rumble to settle things once and for all. In the midst of this, Tony (Riff’s best friend) and Maria (Bernardo’s little sister) see each other at a community dance and fall in love at first sight. Despite the overwhelming cultural barriers, they meet in secret and plan to spend their lives together.

The Story Knowing that the fighting isn’t good for their relationship, Tony goes to the rumble and tries to stop it. Instead, he ends up getting in the way and distracting Riff so he gets killed by Bernardo. In his grief, Tony gets revenge by killing Bernardo. With Tony wanted by the police and sick of all the hate and violence, Maria and Tony plan to run away. Maria sends Bernardo’s fiancée Anita to send a message to Tony about their plans. But after being abused by the Jets, the grieving Anita tells them to tell Tony that they killed Maria for loving Tony.

The Story Devastated, Tony recklessly walks the streets yelling for the Sharks to come kill him too. Rushing to find Tony, Maria sees him just as one of the Sharks shoots him. As Maria tries to cheer him with plans of their future happiness, Tony dies in her arms. The distraught Maria grabs the gun and scolds both Sharks and Jets for their stupid hatred that killed both her brother and her love. She considers killing someone or even herself, but finally puts the gun down and just sobs. The remorseful gang members join together in carrying Tony’s body off.

“America” and “Tonight” “America” On the rooftop of a building, the Sharks complain about how hard their life is as immigrants in America. Their girlfriends, however, argue that with the opportunities in America their lives are much better than the ever were in Puerto Rico. “Tonight” Meanwhile, Tony sneaks over to Maria’s apartment and calls for her to come out. This is the first time they have seen each other since they met at the dance. The equivalent of the “balcony scene” of Romeo & Juliet, the lovers learn more about each other as they talk and declare their love.

DVD: 47:00-55:00, 56:00-1:03 OR AND Mambo: