Overview
The world’s greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre’s finest accomplishments.
Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet” is transported to modern-day New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.
Its exciting, sophisticated score by Bernstein and Sondheim is often considered Broadway’s finest, its songs part of the nation’s musical heritage. As originally staged by the legendary Jerome Robbins, the show is an impressive showcase for accomplished dancers. West Side Story opened on Broadway on September 9, 1957, and ran for 732 performances.
Cast of Characters
| The Jets |
|
| Tony |
Spencer Borup |
| Riff |
Tristan Rumery |
| Action |
Nicholas Galloway |
| A-rab |
Ryan Blanning |
| Big Deal |
Paul Jordan |
| Snowboy |
Chris Meissner |
| Baby John |
Brian Farmer |
| Diesel |
Cierra Diaz |
| Gee-Tar |
Braiden Wells |
 |
|
| The Jet Girls |
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| Anybodys |
Colleen Slavin |
| Velma |
Laura Finmand |
| Graziella |
Krista Mackin |
| Minnie |
Krista Unverferth |
| Clarice |
Maddie Frey |
| Pauline |
Lauren Menz |
| Cecile |
Amanda Ward |
| Vicki |
Jackie Rice |
|
|
| The Sharks |
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| Bernardo |
Tyler Milliron |
| Chino |
Brit Abney |
| Pepe |
Dominic Cardinale |
| Indio |
Spencer Lillywhite |
| Luis |
Alex Kozak |
| Toro |
Andre Mercer |
| Moose |
Sean Biggs |
| Juano |
Mark Gabris |
|
|
| The Shark Girls |
|
| Maria |
Jordan Gomez |
| Anita |
Lauryn Caruso |
| Rosalia |
Brittany McKenzie |
| Consuela |
Brooke Mercer |
| Teresita |
Kyra Wells |
| Francisca |
Heather Clark |
| Estella |
Samantha Cardona |
| Margarita |
Alina Carmona |
| Angelina |
Pallavi Nemali |
|
|
| Somewhere Soloist |
Heather Clark |
|
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| Doc |
Chris Ward |
| Detective Shrank |
Richard Wilson |
| Officer Krupke |
Phillip Borup |
| Glad Hand |
Dan Larocca |
Synopsis
Act One
In the opening, a danced Prologue, two rival teenage gangs, the Jets (Americans) and the Sharks (Puerto Ricans) enact their conflict over who will control the neighborhood. Accented by police whistles and taunting phrases, the Prologue establishes the fierce rivalry between the two groups.
Following a brief exchange with the ineffective policeman, Lt. Schrank and Officer Krupke, Riff, the leader of the Jets, devises a plan to gain control of the street (When You're A Jet"). The members of the gang boast of their strength, restate their bond to one another and declare their intention to protect their turf.
Riff has a harder time getting his best friend Tony to re-join the gang. Riff convinces Tony to join the Jets at the neighborhood dance where the Riff's plan will be put into motion. Tony agrees out of a sense of loyalty to Riff, but expresses his unhappiness with his current life. He feels himself growing away from the gang and envisions a different and better future ("Something's Coming").
Maria, the sister of the Shark leader, Bernardo, has only been in America a short time. She works with Anita, Bernardo's girl friend, in the bridal shop. Anita is making Maria a dress to wear to the neighborhood dance. Maria sees this dance as the official beginning of her life in this country. Like Tony, she is full of hope. Bernardo arrives with Chino, a quiet, intense member of the Sharks. Maria's family has selected Chino to be her future husband.
A social worker, Gladhand, introduces the rival gang members and their girls; they dance sociably for about two minutes. Then a challenge dance erupts. Tony and Maria, however, suddenly see one another. In a moment of romantic suspension, they dance together, oblivious of the tension around them. They fall in love. The romantic idyll is interrupted when Bernardo roughly pulls Maria from Tony's arms. Maria is sent home, as Riff and Bernardo arrange a War Council at the drugstore.
Unaware of the plan between the two leaders, an ecstatic Tony sings "Maria." As he sings, Maria appears on a fire escape above him. They profess their love for each other ("Tonight").
Anita and her friends are gathered on a city rooftop, where they express conflicting views about their lives in "America."
At the Drugstore, the proprietor, Doc, tries to convince the Jets not to have a rumble (an all-out fight) with the Sharks. The gang expresses their pent-up tension in "Cool." Ignoring Doc, Riff and Bernardo set up the rumble for the next day and agree on weapons. Tony suggests a less dangerous fist fight. After the others leave, Tony dismisses Doc's fear with his conviction nothing can go wrong because he is love with Maria.
The next day, Maria learns about the rumble from Anita at the Bridal Shop. When Tony arrives, Anita leaves. Maria begs Tony to stop the rumble and he promises her he will. They enact a mock marriage ceremony ("One Hand, One Heart") swearing that "even death can't part us now."
Tony tries to stop the rumble in progress under a highway. In the midst of insults, pushing, and shoving, Bernardo stabs Riff. In blind fury, Tony stabs Bernardo. The sirens scream; everyone runs except Tony, who stands transfixed. Anybodys, a tomboy whose dream is to become a Jet, has followed the gang, and prods Tony to escape, just in time. The curtain comes down on a stage which is empty except for the bodies of Riff and Bernardo.
Act Two
Unaware of the tragedy under the highway, Maria sings to her girl friends about how beautiful she feels ("I Feel Pretty"). She speaks of marriage, and her friends assume she is thinking about Chino. Chino enters with the news Tony has killed Bernardo. Left alone, Maria is praying; Tony enters through the window. He explains why he killed Bernardo in a moment of anger over Riff's death. Maria forgives him, and they declare their determination to be together. Shark and Jet couples dance together in a dream-like, peaceful, sunlit world - the "Somewhere" where Maria and Tony are allowed to love one another. At the end of the dream, Tony and Maria are in her bed, in each other's arms.
In an alley, the bumbling Office Krupke is questioning the Jets about the murders. The gang ridicules him as they sing "Officer Krupke," a put-down of the social workers, cops, psychiatrists, and judges who fail to understand what motivates their behavior.
Anita arrives at Maria's apartment. Tony escapes through the window, telling Maria to meet him at the drugstore so they can run away together. Anita realizes Tony has been with Maria and turns on Maria in fury for making love to the boy who killed her brother ("A Boy Like That"). However, when Maria explains ("I Have a Love"), Anita realizes Maria loves Tony as much as she loved Bernardo. She warns Maria Chino has a gun and is planning to kill Tony. When Shrank arrives to question Maria, Anita agrees to go to the drugstore to tell Tony to wait for her.
Anita is prevented from reaching Tony by the ethnic prejudice of the Jets. The gang's verbal taunting of Anita gets physical and is turning into rape when she is saved by Doc. In her fury and humiliation, Anita lies and tells Tony's buddies Chino has killed Maria.
Doc tells Tony, who is hiding in his cellar, Maria and his dreams for the future are dead because she is dead. Tony runs out to find Chino. On the street, Tony sees Maria. Chino appears and kills Tony. As Maria kneels over Tony's body, the Jets and Sharks enter. Maria takes Chino's gun, but is unable to bring herself to fire it. The cycle of violence ends with her.
Gradually, members of both gangs assemble on either side of Tony's body. Maria kisses him gently. The Jets and Sharks form a procession and together they carry Tony offstage while the adults stand by, still helpless. The lights fade.
Songs
Prologue--Orchestra
Jet Song--Riff, Jets
Something's Coming--Tony
Dance At The Gym--Orchestra
Maria--Tony
Balcony Scene--Maria, Tony
America--Anita, Rosalia, Shark Girls
Cool--Riff, Jets
One Hand, One Heart--Tony, Maria
Tonight (Quintet)--Jets, Sharks, Anita, Tony, Maria, Riff, Bernardo
The Rumble--Orchestra
I Feel Pretty--Maria, Consuela, Rosalia, Francisca
Ballet Sequence--Tony, Maria
Somewhere--Girl
Procession and Nightmare--Tony, Maria, Company
Gee, Officer Krumpke--Jets
A Boy Like That--Anita
I Have a Love--Maria, Anita
Finale--Maria, Tony
