West Side Story is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. The story is set in the mid 1950s in the Upper West Side of New York City, then a multiracial, blue-collar neighborhood. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The members of the Sharks, from Puerto Rico, are taunted by the Jets, a white gang. The young protagonist, Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang's leader, Riff, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in musical theatre.
| Music | Leonard Bernstein |
| Lyrics | Stephen Sondheim |
| Book | Arthur Laurents |
| Productions | 1957 Washington, D.C. (tryout), 1957 Philadelphia (tryout), 1957 Broadway, 1958 West End, 1959 US tour, 1960 Broadway revival, 1964 Broadway revival, 1974 West End revival, 1980 Broadway revival, 1984 West End revival, 1985 US tour, 1995 US tour, 1998 West End revival, 2009 Broadway revival, 2010 US tour, 2020 Broadway revival |
About West Side Story
Adaptation of the 1957 musical of the same name which centers on the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs. The 1961 West Side Story film adaptation won 10 Academy Awards.
Achievement of West Side Story
The story is inspired by William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Steven Spielberg is the director of the film.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About West Side Story
Plays and musicals based on Romeo and Juliet.. Musicals by Stephen Sondheim.. Musicals by Leonard Bernstein.. Musicals choreographed by Jerome Robbins.. Plays set in the 1950s.. Modern adaptations of works by William Shakespeare.. Musicals based on plays.. Plays set in New York City.. West End musicals.
Latest information about West Side Story updated on July 28 2021.
