2. The Details… Book by Arthur Laurent Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim – Mentored by Oscar Hammerstein II (friends with son, Jimmy) – Show was his big break-Broadway debut Music by Leonard Bernstein – Famous American composer, musician, and conductor – Post at Boston Symphony Orchestra Premiered in 1957 Show lasted for 732 performances Romeo and Juliet

3. The Details… Set in the mid 1950’s-Present time New York’s West Side/Hell’s Kitchen district Rivalry of two teenage gangs Highlighted current ethnic and cultural problems, not reflecting on past customs Used dance in the same way as Oklahoma to tell parts of the story Though did not last terribly long on Broadway, it is considered to be one of the best musicals written

4. The Details… In 1949, the plot was originally to be about an Italian-American Catholic family vs. a Jewish family living in Lower East Side of Manhattan during the Easter-Passover season. East-Side Story Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurent, and Leonard Berstein parted ways, shelved for 5 years Years later the three collaborated again, Sondheim joined scene Sondheim changed storyline to be about Polish vs. Puerto Ricans Production period was timely with news of gang wars throughout NYC Dance scene music was arranged into a Symphonic Suite by Bernstein that is commonly performed The tritone—musical device Bernstein used

5. The Characters Tony-The best friend of Riff and former Jet leader who has turned to an honest life. He is good-looking, self assured, and passionate. Falls in love with Maria. Maria-The beautiful, younger sister of Bernardo who has recently arrived from Puerto Rico. She is excited and enthusiastic, yet obedient. Sharks: – Bernardo-Maria's older brother who is the leader of the Sharks. On the surface, he is a seemingly cool character. But inside, he is filled with passion and anger. – Chino-Maria's quiet, intense, and angry suitor that she eventually rejects for Tony. Jets: – Riff-The intelligent yet slightly wacky current leader of the Jets. – Baby John-The youngest member and biggest "scaredicat.“ – Diesel-A Jet who is very physically imposing. Anita-Bernardo's intelligent, flashy and sexy girlfriend. Doc-The fatherly owner of the drugstore where the Jets and Sharks hang out. Officer Krupke-A large, goon-like police officer in uniform.

6. Romeo and Juliet Used Romeo and Juliet story to show the travesties of gang problems in NYC in a contemporary light. Tony-Romeo Maria-Juliet Bernardo-Tybalt Anita-Nurse Riff-Mercution Doc-Friar Lawrence Chino-Paris

7. The Story The musical opens with a fight between the Jets (Americans) and the Sharks (Puerto Ricans) Officers break up the fight, Sharks leave. Jets plan a “rumble” with the Sharks. Riff convinces Tony to go to the dance He agrees, but doesn’t want a part of gang life We meet Maria working at a wedding dress shop with Anita. She has been promised in marriage to Chino

8. The Story… At the neighborhood dance, tension fills the room Tony and Maria meet, dance, forget the world around them. (Maria) Bernardo breaks them up. Riff and Bernardo agree to meet at the War Council at Doc’s. That night Tony finds Maria’s apartment, serenades her and they profess their love (Tonight) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II2uaRmlQNghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II2uaRmlQNg Maria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_QffCZs-bghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_QffCZs-bg Tonight

9. The Story The Shark girls discuss the difference between Puerto Rico and the US (America) Doc tries to convince the Jet’s to call off the rumble, but refuse. Sharks and Jets agree on a fair fight, no weapons. Lt. Schrank comes in, tries to find location of fight Tony and Maria meet and talk about their dream wedding. She asks him to stop the fight and he agrees. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QS7wWzwak4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QS7wWzwak4 (America)

10. The Story… At the rumble, Tony tries to stop the two groups from fighting. Bernardo tries to provoke Tony, who keeps his composure. Riff tries to fight Bernardo in defense of Tony, and knifes appear. Bernardo kills Riff, then Tony kills Bernardo (Maria’s brother) in a fit of rage. A full out brawl ensues When the cops come, they all flee, leaving the dead bodies of Riff and Bernado on stage

11. Act 2… Maria daydreams with her friends about seeing Tony (I Feel Pretty) Chino comes in with the bad news Tony comes that night to see Maria, where she hits him until he calms her down. They plan to run away together, and find themselves in a dream world (Somewhere) The cops chase after the Jets, who escape from Lt. Krupke. Anybody (a wannabe Jet) tells them that Chino is after Tony with a gun. They scatter to find him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BQMgCy-n6Uhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BQMgCy-n6U Somewhere

12. The tension mounts… Grieving Anita finds that Maria had just been with Tony, and demands to know how she can love a man who killed her brother (A Boy Like That) Maria responds with (I Have a Love) and Anita understands and respects her. She tells her Chino has a gun. Lt. Shank comes to question Maria, so Anita goes to Doc’s to tell Tony to wait

13. Things Take a Turn for the Worse… Anita is confronted by the angry Jets who spew racist innuendos and insults, and nearly rape her. Doc comes in and stops them. Anita scolds them, saying Bernardo was right about who they “really” are. Anita lies saying her reason to come was to tell Tony that Chino killed Maria Doc relates the news to Tony who begs to die

14. The “almost” ending… Just as Tony sees Maria alive, Chino arrives and shoots Tony. Maria holds Tony in her arms as he dies, with both the Jets and Sharks watching. Jets try to start fighting again, but Maria grabs and brandishes Chino’s gun, telling everyone that hatred is what killed Tony and now she can kill because she hates too. What will happen next???

15. The Results Nominated for a Best Musical but lost to Music Man in 1957. – Much easier show to digest than W.S.S. After 732 shows, it went on a national tour and returned for another 253 shows. Has been subject to several revivals in America and productions throughout the world 1961 movie won 10 Academy Awards out of 11 nominations 2009 Revival – Arthur Laurent revised the book to make it more relevent – "This show will be radically different from any other production of West Side Story ever done. The musical theatre and cultural conventions of 1957 made it next to impossible for the characters to have authenticity. Every member of both gangs was always a potential killer even then. Now they actually will be. Only Tony and Maria try to live in a different world…“ – Changed some of the lines to Spanish – On Broadway now (since March 19 th )

16. Audience Reaction While critics speculated about the comic-tragic darkness of the musical, audiences were captivated. The story appealed to society's undercurrent of rebellion from authority that surfaced in 1950s films like Rebel Without a Cause. West Side Story took this one step farther by combining the classic and the hip. Robbins' energetic choreography and Bernstein's grand score accentuated the satiric, hard-edged lyrics of Sondheim, and Laurents' capture of the angry voice of urban youth. The play was criticized for glamorizing gangs, and its portrayal of Puerto Ricans and lack of authentic Latin casting were weaknesses. Yet, the song "America" shows the triumph of the spirit over the obstacles often faced by immigrants. The musical also made points in its description of troubled youth and the devastating effects of poverty and racism. Juvenile delinquency is seen as an ailment of society: "No one wants a fella with a social disease!" One writer summed up the reasons for the show's popularity in these terms: "On the cusp of the 1960s, American society, still recovering from the enormous upheaval of World War II, was seeking stability and control.“ ~Time Magazine