1. West Side Story Music by Leonard Bernstein Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

2. Synopsis Setting: The Streets of New York City Where: New York, New York When: The 1950’s

3. Characters Tony Maria Anita Bernardo Riff Chino

4. Problem The Sharks (Puerto Ricans) and the Jets (Americans) do not get along Racism, and Bullying between the two groups Tony and Maria are in love, but are not allowed to be together

5. Action A rumble is planned between the two gangs to prove who will rule the streets Tony and Maria plan to run away together

6. Solution Bernardo kills Riff Tony kills Bernardo Chino kills Tony

7. Act 1 The Sharks and The Jets are fighting, and plan a rumble Riff wants Tony to help the gang but he refuses because he loves Maria Tony promises Maria he will stop the rumble Tony kills Bernardo after Bernardo has just killed Riff

8. Act 2 Maria learns Tony has killed her brother but she still loves him, and plans to run away with him Anita tells the Jets that Chino has shot Maria when he learned of her romance with Tony Tony believes Maria is dead and begs Chino to kill him too Maria and Tony reunite, but Tony is killed by Chino and dies in Marias arms

9. Leonard Bernstein Born August 25, 1918 Died October 14, 1990 Born in USA, in Massachusetts Began musical training at 13 Went to Harvard to study music

10. Bernstein First official job was in 1943 as the assistant conductor of the NY Philharmonic First successful composition was Jeremiah Symphony which he premiered in 1944 Married to Chilean actress Felicia Montealegre

11. Bernstein Had 3 children- Jamie, Alexander and Nina Most famous for writing the music of West Side Story Besides music, he was famous for conducting, and his involvement in politics- was blacklisted in the 50’s for his radical view of the government