About the work
Leonard Bernstein's musical „West Side Story" was premiered on Broadway in 1957. Book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by the young Stephen Sondheim, choreography by Jerome Robbins. The work is regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time and as the founding work of „integrated" music theatre — a Romeo-and-Juliet retelling among rival youth gangs in Manhattan.
Plot
New York's Upper West Side, mid-1950s. Two street gangs control the neighbourhood: the white „Jets" under Riff and the Puerto Rican „Sharks" under Bernardo. The two gangs prepare for a rumble. At a school dance Tony — Riff's friend, who has tried to leave the Jets — meets Maria, Bernardo's sister, and they fall in love at first sight. Tony tries to prevent the rumble; in the chaos Bernardo stabs Riff, and Tony in turn kills Bernardo. Maria's friend Anita — Bernardo's lover — wants to take a message from Tony to Maria but is humiliated by the Jets in the drugstore. In rage Anita lies that Maria has been killed by another Shark. Tony, despairing, runs into the street calling for Bernardo's revenge — and is shot down by Chino, Maria's intended husband. Maria, holding Tony as he dies, takes his pistol — but cannot shoot. The two gangs are united in shame and grief.
Cultural significance
West Side Story revolutionised the American musical. Bernstein's score with Latin rhythms, jazz harmonies and symphonic colour is regarded as a milestone. „Maria", „Tonight", „Somewhere", „I Feel Pretty", „America" became evergreens. Robert Wise's 1961 film won ten Oscars; Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake renewed the work for a new generation. The role of Maria has been played from Carol Lawrence (premiere) and Natalie Wood through Rachel Zegler.