West Side Story

West Side Story
Name	West Side Story
Music	Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics	Stephen Sondheim
Book	Arthur Laurents
Basis	Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Productions	1957 Broadway 1960 West End

West Side Story. This iconic American musical transposes the tragic romance of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the tenement streets of 1950s New York City. Conceived by Jerome Robbins, with a score by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents, it replaces the warring Montagues and Capulets with two rival teenage street gangs: the white American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Its groundbreaking integration of music, dance, and drama, exploring themes of prejudice, violence, and doomed love, has secured its status as a landmark of American musical theatre.

Background and creation

The initial concept, first titled *East Side Story*, was a collaboration between choreographer Jerome Robbins and composer Leonard Bernstein, who envisioned a modern musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet focusing on tensions between Catholic and Jewish families on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The project evolved, and writer Arthur Laurents joined, shifting the conflict to involve Mexican Americans in Los Angeles. After a period of dormancy, the post-war migration from Puerto Rico inspired the team to reset the story in New York's Upper West Side. Lyricist Stephen Sondheim, making his Broadway debut, was brought on board, completing the legendary creative team. The musical's development was marked by intense workshops, with Robbins demanding rigorous discipline from the cast to achieve his vision of dance as narrative.

Plot

The story unfolds in a blue-collar New York City neighborhood, where the Jets, led by Riff, struggle to maintain turf against the Sharks, led by Bernardo. At a community dance, Riff's best friend, former Jet Tony, and Bernardo's sister, María, meet and instantly fall in love. Their secret romance is complicated by the escalating gang war, culminating in a planned rumble under the highway. Attempting to stop the violence, Tony inadvertently causes the deaths of both Riff and Bernardo. In a final tragic misunderstanding, Tony is shot, dying in María's arms, who then pleads for an end to the cycle of hatred.

Musical numbers

Leonard Bernstein's eclectic score masterfully blends jazz, classical, and Latin influences. Iconic songs include the yearning ballad "Maria", the exuberant "Tonight", and the satirical "America". The instrumental "Prologue" and "The Rumble" are critical dance sequences composed by Bernstein. Other standout numbers are the comedic "Gee, Officer Krupke", the hopeful "Somewhere", and the poignant "I Have a Love". The Mambo at the dance hall is a vibrant highlight.

Themes and analysis

The work is a profound exploration of racism, xenophobia, and the destructive nature of tribalism, mirroring the racial tensions of the Civil Rights Movement. It examines the struggle for cultural identity among the Puerto Rican characters and the fear of displacement among the white gang. The doomed love story critiques the impossibility of romance in a hate-filled society, a direct homage to the themes of fate in Romeo and Juliet. Scholars often analyze its commentary on urban decay, juvenile delinquency, and the failure of institutions like the police, represented by Officer Krupke, and social workers to address root causes.

Productions

The original Broadway production, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, opened at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1957, starring Larry Kert as Tony and Carol Lawrence as María. It ran for 732 performances and won two Tony Awards, including one for Robbins' choreography. The 1960 West End production opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. Numerous major revivals have followed, including a celebrated 1980 staging at the Minskoff Theatre and a 2009 revival directed by Arthur Laurents, which incorporated Spanish translations for some dialogue and lyrics.

Adaptations

The most famous adaptation is the 1961 United Artists film directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. Starring Natalie Wood as María and Richard Beymer as Tony, with Rita Moreno as Anita, it won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture. A 2021 cinematic remake was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Tony Kushner, starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler. The musical has also been adapted for television and inspired countless concert and ballet performances worldwide.

Legacy and impact

*West Side Story* irrevocably changed the landscape of musical theatre, elevating dance to the level of character and advancing integrated, serious storytelling. Its influence is seen in later works like Hamilton and Rent. The film adaptation is preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. The score, particularly through recordings by artists like The Beatles and Aretha Franklin, entered popular culture. It remains a staple for professional, community, and school theatres, though modern productions often grapple with its depiction of Puerto Rican characters and its use of brownface in early stagings.

Category:American musicals Category:1957 musicals