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{{Otheruses4|the musical|the 1961 film|West Side Story (film)}}
{{For|the Original Broadway Cast recording|West Side Story (Original Broadway Cast)}}
{{For|the soundtrack album of the film|West Side Story (soundtrack)}}
{{For|[[The Game (rapper)|The Game's]] song|Westside Story (song)}}

{{Infobox Musical
|name= West Side Story
|image= West Side 001.jpg
|caption= Original Cast Recording
|music= [[Leonard Bernstein]]
|lyrics= [[Stephen Sondheim]]
|book= [[Arthur Laurents]]
|basis= ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' by [[William Shakespeare]]
|productions= [[1957]] [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] <br> [[1958]] [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] [[revival (theatre)|revival]] <br> [[1958]] [[West End theatre|West End]] <br> [[1960]] [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] [[revival (theatre)|revival]] <br> [[1961]] [[West Side Story (film)|Film]] <br> [[1980]] [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] [[revival (theatre)|revival]]
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->
|awards=
}}

'''''West Side Story''''' is a [[musical theater|musical]] written by [[Arthur Laurents]] (book), [[Leonard Bernstein]] (music), and [[Stephen Sondheim]] (lyrics). The story is based loosely on [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', which was, in turn, based on a narrative poem by [[Arthur Brooke]] entitled ''[[The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet|The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet]]'' (1562).

Set on [[Manhattan]]'s [[Upper West Side]], the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage [[gang]]s of different [[ethnicity|ethnic]] and cultural backgrounds. The young protagonist, Anton ("Tony"), who belongs to the white gang, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the rival [[Puerto Rican]] gang. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in [[United States|American]] [[musical theater]]. Bernstein's score for the musical has become extremely popular; it includes "Something's Coming", "Maria", "America," "Somewhere," "Tonight", "Jet Song", "I Feel Pretty", "One Hand, One Heart", and "Cool".

The original 1957 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production, directed and choreographed by [[Jerome Robbins]] and produced by [[Robert E. Griffith]] and [[Harold Prince]], marked [[Stephen Sondheim]]'s Broadway debut. It ran for 732 performances (a successful run for the time), before going on tour. The production garnered a [[Tony Award]] nomination for Best Musical in 1957, but the award ultimately went to [[Meredith Willson]]'s ''[[The Music Man]]''. The show has enjoyed an even longer-running London production, a number of revivals and international success, and spawned an innovative, award-winning [[West Side Story (film)|1961 musical film of the same name]]. ''West Side Story'' is produced frequently by local theaters and, occasionally, by [[opera]] companies.

==Background==
In 1949, Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins planned to write a modern story, based on ''Romeo and Juliet'', with music by Leonard Bernstein, for a new musical called ''Gangway'', which was later changed to ''East Side Story'' – a Shakespearean conflict set in [[New York City]] slums. Taking place on the east side of [[Manhattan]], the plot was to focus on a young [[Italian-American]] [[Catholic]] boy who falls in love with a [[Jewish]] girl who has survived the [[Holocaust]] and immigrated from [[Israel]] to America. It was to be set during the [[Easter]]-[[Passover]] weekend celebration.<ref name=Bernstein>[http://www.leonardbernstein.com/studio/element.asp?FeatID=8&AssetID=24 Information from LeonardBernstein.com]</ref> The conflict was to be centered around [[anti-semitism]] of the Catholic "Jets" and resentment of the Jews or "Emeralds" (a name that made its way into the script as a reference). But the creators came to feel that the story was already dated and that its themes had already been covered in plays like ''[[Abie's Irish Rose]]'', and so the piece was shelved – for almost five years.<ref>[http://www.leonardbernstein.com/studio/element2.asp?FeatID=8&AssetID=10 From Interview with Bernstein in 1984], published in ''Notes on Broadway'', p. 14</ref> In 1954, upon seeing a new wave of migration from [[Puerto Rico]] and reading news of gang wars, Laurents changed the characters' background: the lead, Anton, changed from an Italian-American to a [[Polish-American]], and Maria changed from a Jew to a [[Puerto Rican]].<ref name=factsheet>[http://www.westsidestory.com/archives_factsheet.php Information from WestSideStory.com factsheet]</ref>

By late 1955, Robbins, Laurents and Bernstein teamed up with 25-year old newcomer [[Stephen Sondheim]], who would write the lyrics for the songs in the work, now entitled ''West Side Story''. Originally, when considering the cast, Laurents wanted [[James Dean]] for the lead role of Tony, but the actor had died before hearing of it. Sondheim found [[Larry Kert]] and [[Chita Rivera]], who created the roles of Tony and Anita, respectively. Bernstein had composed ''West Side Story'' and ''[[Candide (operetta)|Candide]]'' concurrently, which led to some switches of material between the two works.<ref>Some of the music that Bernstein wrote for ''West Side Story'', but that wasn't used in the production, was later integrated into the ''[[Chichester Psalms]]''.</ref> Tony and Maria's duet, "One Hand, One Heart," was originally intended for Cunegonde in ''Candide''. The music of "Gee, Officer Krupke" was pulled from the Venice scene in ''Candide''.<ref name=Bibliography>[http://www.westsidestory.com/archives_bibliography.php Information from WestSideStory.com bibliography page]</ref> Laurents explained the "style" that the creative team finally decided on: "Just as Tony and Maria, our Romeo and Juliet, set themselves apart from the other kids by their love, so we have tried to set them even further apart by their language, their songs, their movement. Wherever possible in the show, we have tried to heighten emotion or to articulate inarticulate adolescence through music, song or dance."<ref>[http://www.leonardbernstein.com/studio/element2.asp?FeatID=8&AssetID=18 Excerpted from a feature on Laurents] in the ''[[New York Herald Tribune]]'' on August 4, 1957</ref>

In late spring of 1957, only two months before the show was to begin rehearsals, producer [[Cheryl Crawford]] left the production. Bernstein was despondent, and Sondheim was shocked at the rejection. But Crawford's partner in London, [[Roger Stevens]], urged the creative group not to give up. Sondheim enlisted the support of his friend Harold Prince, who brought in his partner Robert Griffith. Prince recalled, in his memoirs: "Sondheim and Bernstein sat at the piano playing through the music, and soon I was singing along with them."<ref name=Bibliography/> Getting the work on stage was still not easy. Bernstein told ''[[Rolling Stone Magazine]]'': <ref>[http://www.leonardbernstein.com/studio/element2.asp?FeatID=8&AssetID=10 From Bernstein interview with Jonathan Cott of ''Rolling Stone Magazine'', 1990]</ref>

:{{cquote|"Everyone told us that [''West Side Story''] was an impossible project... And we were told no one, was going to be able to sing [[augmented fourth]]s, as with "Ma-ri-a".... Also, they said the score was too rangy for pop music.... Besides, who wanted to see a show in which the first-act curtain comes down on two dead bodies lying on the stage? ...And then we had the really tough problem of casting it, because the characters had to be able not only to sing but dance and act and be taken for teenagers. Ultimately, some of the cast were teenagers, some were 21, some were 30 but looked 16. Some were wonderful singers but couldn't dance very well, or vice versa... and if they could do both, they couldn't act.}}

Robbins insisted on eight weeks of rehearsal instead of the customary four, since there was to be more dancing in ''West Side Story'' than in any previous Broadway show.<ref name=Bibliography/> As the rehearsals wore on, Bernstein fought to keep his score together, as other members of the team called on him to cut out more and more of the sweeping or complex "operatic" passages.<ref name=Bibliography/> Columbia Records initially declined to record the cast album, saying that the score was too depressing and too difficult.<ref name=Bernstein/> Robbins wanted a gritty realism from his sneaker- and jeans-clad cast. He gave the ensemble more freedom than Broadway dancers had previously been given to interpret their roles. He also kept the two gangs separate, so that they did not mix socially, and reminded everyone of the reality of gang violence by posting news stories on the bulletin board.<ref>[http://sondheimreview.com/v9n3.htm#article Information from a 2002 interview of Chita Rivera]</ref>

==Synopsis==
===Act 1===

Two teenage gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks (newcomers), struggle for control of the [[neighborhood]], amidst [[police]] whistles and taunts (dance Prologue). The Jets chase the Sharks off, then plan how they can assure their continued dominance of the street ("Jet Song"). The Jets' leader, Riff, convinces his friend and former member of the Jets, Tony, to meet the Jets at the neighborhood dance. Loyal to Riff, Tony agrees, but he wants no further part of gang life and imagines a better future ("Something's Coming"). Maria works in a bridal shop with Anita, the girlfriend of her brother, Bernardo, who is the Sharks' leader. Maria's family has selected Chino to be her future husband. Maria has newly arrived from Puerto Rico, and, like Tony, is full of hope. Anita makes Maria a dress to wear to the neighborhood dance.

At the dance, after introductions, the young people begin to dance; soon a challenge dance is called ("Mambo"). Tony and Maria see each other across the room and are drawn to each other. They dance together, forgetting the tension in the room, falling in love. An enraged Bernardo pulls his sister from Tony's arms and sends her home. Riff and Bernardo agree to meet for a War Council at Doc's Candy Store, which is considered neutral ground. An infatuated and happy Tony finds Maria's building and serenades her outside her bedroom ("Maria"). She appears on her fire escape, and the two profess their love for one another ("Tonight"). Meanwhile, Anita and the other Shark girls discuss the differences between Puerto Rico and America ("America"). At Doc's, the Jets get antsy while waiting for the Sharks ("Cool"). The Sharks arrive, and after an interruption by the ineffective Lt. Schrank, they discuss weapons to use in the rumble. Tony suggests "a fair fight" (fists only), which the leaders agree to, despite the other members' protests. Bernardo believes that he will fight Tony, but must settle for fighting Diesel instead. Despite Doc's warnings, Tony is convinced that nothing can go wrong; he is in love.

Tony meets Maria at the bridal shop the next day, where they dream of their wedding ("One Hand, One Heart"). She asks Tony to stop the fight, which he agrees to do. Tony, Maria, Anita, Bernardo (and the Sharks), and Riff (and the Jets) all anticipate the events to come that night ("[[Tonight Quintet]]"). Tony arrives and tries to stop the rumble. Though Bernardo taunts Tony, ridiculing his attempt to make peace and provoking him in every way, Tony keeps his composure. During the rumble, Riff and Bernardo get in a knife fight. Tony warns Riff to back away, but Riff shakes him off and continues the fight. Bernardo stabs Riff. Tony then kills Bernardo in a fit of rage. The sound of approaching sirens is heard, and everyone scatters, except Tony, who stands in shock at what he has done. The tomboy, Anybody, who wishes that she could become a Jet, tells Tony to flee from the scene at the last moment. Only the bodies of Riff and Bernardo remain.

===Act 2===
Alone on the roof of her tenement, Maria has not heard the news and daydreams happily about seeing Tony with her friends ("I Feel Pretty"). Just then, Chino brings the news that Tony has killed Bernardo. Maria flees to her bedroom, praying that Chino is mistaken. Tony arrives to see Maria. He explains what happened and begs her forgiveness. Maria and Tony imagine a new world where they can love each other("Somewhere"). They embrace in Maria's bed.

A grieving Anita arrives at Maria's apartment. Tony leaves through the window, telling Maria to meet him at Doc's so they can run away to the country. Anita sees that Tony has been with Maria, and asks in horror how she can love the man who killed her brother ("A Boy Like That"). Maria responds passionately ("I Have a Love"), and Anita understands that Maria loves Tony as much as she had loved Bernardo. She admits that Chino has a gun and is looking for Tony. Lt. Schrank arrives to question Maria, and Anita reluctantly agrees to go to Doc's to tell Tony to wait.

At the store, the Jets taunt Anita with racist innuendo and insults. The taunts turn into physical abuse, and Anita is nearly [[rape]]d before a horrified Doc arrives to stop the boys. In her anger, Anita tells the Jets that Bernardo was right about them, and she tells them that Chino has killed Maria. Doc relates the news to Tony, who has been pacing in Doc's [[cellar]] and dreaming of heading to the country to have children with Maria. Feeling there is no longer anything to live for, Tony leaves to find Chino, begging for Chino to kill him too. Just as Tony sees Maria alive, Chino arrives and shoots Tony. As Tony dies in Maria's arms, the Jets and Sharks flock around the lovers ("Somewhere" Reprise). Maria takes Chino's gun and tells everyone that hatred is what killed Tony and the others, and now she can kill, because now she hates, too. But she is unable to bring herself to fire the gun and collapses in her grief, ending the cycle of violence. Gradually, all the members of both gangs assemble on either side of Tony's body, suggesting that the feud is over. The Jets and Sharks form a procession, and together they carry Tony away.

==Characters==
;Jets
*'''Riff'''([[lead]]) - The founder and leader of the white gang, "The Jets".
*'''Tony (Anton)''' ([[lead]])- Riff's best friend and co-founder of the Jets; he falls in love with Maria. Tony is [[Polish-American]]. Original second in command of Jets. ([[tenor]])
*'''Diesel ("Ice") ''' - The largest Jet and their best fighter (possibly excluding Tony.)
*'''Action'''([[supporting role]]) - Hot-tempered and bitter. Second in command of the Jets. Takes over upon Riff's death.
*'''A-Rab''' - The son of an [[alcoholic]]. Almost rapes Anita in Act 2, along with the other members of the Jets. The Sharks jump him and pierce his ear in the prologue.
*'''Baby John'''- Youngest member of the Jets, and the least violent.
*'''Anybodys''' - A [[tomboy]] who wishes to be included in the gang but is rejected by the gang members.
*'''Other Jets''' - Snowboy, Big Deal, Gee-tar, Mouth Piece, Tiger
*'''Their Girls''' - Graziella, Velma, Minnie, Clarice, Pauline

;Sharks
*'''Bernardo'''([[supporting role]]) - The leader of [[Puerto Rican]] gang, "The Sharks". He is Maria's brother and Anita's boyfriend.
*'''Maria'''([[lead]]) - Sister of Bernardo; she falls in love with Tony. ([[soprano]])
*'''Chino''' - Bernardo's best friend and Maria's fiancé. He takes over Bernardo's leader position after the rumble.
*'''Anita'''([[lead]]) - Maria's friend and Bernardo's girlfriend. ([[mezzo-soprano]]/[[alto]])
*'''Pepe''' - Pepe is the youngest member of the Sharks. He has a big mouth which sometimes gets him into trouble.
*'''Consuelo'''([[supporting role]])- Anita's Cousin. She is the blonde bangled beauty of the bunch and not so academically smart.
*'''Rosalia'''([[supporting role]])- Wishes to return to Puerto Rico. Sings "America."
*'''Other Sharks''' - Toro, Indio, Luis, Anxious, Nibbles, Juano, Moose
*'''Their Girls''' - Teresita, Francisca, Estella, Margarita

;Adults
*'''Officer Krupke''' - Local police officer who tries to prevent the gangs from feuding.
*'''Doc''' - The owner of a local drugstore and confidante to Tony.
*'''Glad Hand''' - Local social worker.
*'''Lieutenant Schrank'''([[supporting role]]) - Krupke's superior.

===Shakespearean parallels===
Most of the key characters in ''West Side Story'' have counterparts in ''Romeo and Juliet'':
*Tony/[[Romeo Montague|Romeo]]
*Maria/[[Juliet Capulet|Juliet]]
*Chino/[[Count Paris|Paris]]
*Bernardo/[[Tybalt]]/[[Lord Capulet]]
*Riff/[[Mercutio]]/[[Lord Montague]]
*Baby John/[[Benvolio]]
*Anita/Nurse
*Doc/[[Friar Lawrence]]/Balthasar
*Schrank/[[Prince Escalus]]
*Krupke/Peter
*A-Rab/Abraham
*[[United States|Jets]]/[[Montague family|Montagues]]
*[[Puerto Rico|Sharks]]/[[Capulet family|Capulets]]

The original ending of ''West Side Story'' was more similar to that of ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' than the final version. In the original version, after Maria gives her monologue about hatred, she fatally shoots Chino and then kills herself in despair, hoping that she will see Tony again in death. The adults arrive on the scene too late to help, and Anita tells them the full story, resulting in the Jets and Sharks resolving their differences. This ending was described by preview audiences as "too depressing," and so the producers used the less tragic, more hopeful ending seen in the final version.

==Productions==
===Original [[Broadway Theatre|Broadway]]===

After tryouts in [[Washington, DC]] and [[Philadelphia]] beginning in August 1957, the original Broadway production opened at the [[Winter Garden Theatre]] on [[September 26]] [[1957]] to positive reviews. The production was directed and choreographed by [[Jerome Robbins]], produced by Robert E. Griffith and [[Harold Prince]] and starred [[Larry Kert]] as Tony, [[Carol Lawrence]] as Maria and [[Chita Rivera]] as Anita. Robbins won the [[Tony Award]] for Best Choreographer, and [[Oliver Smith]] won the Tony for Best Scenic Designer. Also nominated were Carol Lawrence, as Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Max Goberman as Best Musical Director, and Irene Sharaff for Best Costume Design. Carol Lawrence received the 1958 [[Theatre World Award]]. The production ran for 732 performances at the [[Winter Garden Theatre]] before touring and then returning to the Winter Garden Theatre in 1960 for another 253 performance engagement

The other principal or notable cast members in the original production were: Anybodys: Lee Becker, Riff: Mickey Calin, A-Rab: [[Tony Mordente]], Action: Eddie Roll, Baby John: David Winters, Big Deal: [[Martin Charnin]], Gee-Tar: [[Tommy Abbott]]; Bernardo: Ken Le Roy, Chino: Jamie Sanchez, Nibbles: Ronnie Lee; Rosalia: [[Marilyn Cooper]], Consuela: [[Reri Grist]], Teresita: Carmen Gutierrez, Francisca: Elizabeth Taylor; Lt. Schrank: Arch Johnson, Doc: [[Art Smith]], and Krupke: William Bramley.

===West End===
The 1958 [[Europe]]an premiere at the [[Manchester Opera House]] transferred to [[London, England|London]] where it opened at [[Her Majesty's Theatre]] in London's [[West End theatre|West End]] in December 1958 and ran until 1961 with a total of 1,039 performances. Robbins directed and choreographed, and it was co-Choreographed by [[Peter Gennaro]], with scenery by Oliver Smith. [[George Chakiris]], who won an [[Academy Award]] as Bernardo in the 1961 film version originated the role of Riff, Marlys Watters played Maria, David Holiday played Tony, and [[Chita Rivera]] played Anita.

In February of 1962, the West End (H.M. Tennent) production launched a five-month Scandinavian tour opening in Copenhagan, continuing to Oslo, Goteborg, Stockholm and Helsinki. Robert Jeffrey took over from David Holiday as Tony and Jill Martin played Maria.

===Revivals===
The [[New York City Center]] Light Opera Company production opened on [[April 8]] [[1964]] at the New York City Center and closed May 3, 1964 after a limited engagement of 31 performances. Tony was [[Don McKay]], and Maria was [[Julia Migenes]]. It was staged by [[Gerald Freedman]] based on Robbins' original concept, and the choreography was re-mounted by Tom Abbott.

The Musical Theater of [[Lincoln Center]] and [[Richard Rodgers]] production opened at the [[New York State Theater]], Lincoln Center, on [[June 24]] [[1968]] and closed on September 7, 1968 after 89 performances. Direction and choreography were reproduced by Lee Theodore, and scenery was by Oliver Smith. Tony was Kurt Peterson and Maria was [[Victoria Mallory]].

A 1961 a tour of Israel, Africa and the Near East was mounted.<ref>[http://www.theatrehistory.com/american/musical001.html Information from TheatreHistory.com]</ref>

A Broadway revival opened at the [[Minskoff Theatre]] on [[February 14]] [[1980]] and closed on November 30, 1980, after 333 performances. It was directed and choreographed by Robbins with the assistance of Tom Abbott and Lee Becker Theodore and scenery was by Oliver Smith. It starred [[Debbie Allen]] as Anita, Josie de Guzman as Maria, and [[Ken Marshall]] as Tony. Both Allen and de Guzman received Tony Award nominations as Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and the musical was nominated as best Reproduction (Play or Musical). Allen won the [[Drama Desk Award]] as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical.

A 1987 tour starred [[Jack Wagner (actor)|Jack Wagner]] as Tony.

Several dances from ''West Side Story'' were presented as the featured performances in the Tony Award-winning 1989 Broadway production, ''[[Jerome Robbins' Broadway]]''.

A [[UK]] national tour started in 1997 and starred [[David Habbin]] as Tony, Katie Knight Adams as Maria and Anna Jane Casey as Anita. The production was very well received and transferred to [[London]]'s [[West End of London|West End]] opening at the [[Prince Edward Theatre]] in October 1998 subsequently transferring to the [[Prince of Wales Theatre]] where it closed in January 2000. The production then toured the [[UK]] again.

A U.S. national tour, directed by [[Alan Johnson]], was produced in 2002.<ref>[http://www.westsidestory.com/news2002.php Information from the WestSideStory.com news page]</ref>

A Hong Kong production directed by [[Jacob Yu]] was produced in 2000. A new set of Cantonese lyrics by [[Chris Shum]] and [[Rensen Chan]] was sung in the production. The Hong Kong rock star [[Paul Wong]] is starred as Tony. This production was staged at the outdoor plaza of [[Hong Kong Cultural Center]] next to the [[Victoria Harbour]], while the venue is exactly the place mentioned in the new story titled ''Victoria Harbour Story''. The orchestra was conducted by [[Henry Shek]].

The Austrian [[Bregenzer Festspiele|Bregenz Festival]] presented ''West Side Story'' in a German translation by [[Marcel Prawy]] in 2003 and 2004, directed by the [[Francesca Zambello]], followed by a German tour.<ref>[http://www.westsidestory.com/news.php Information from WestSideStory.com news]</ref>

Since directing the 2007 City Center ''Encores!'' production of ''[[Gypsy (musical)|Gypsy]]'', Arthur Laurents said that he will direct a revival of ''West Side Story'' to open on Broadway in 2008. He expressed disappointment in the 1980 revival stating "I've come up with a way of doing it that will make it absolutely contemporary without changing a word or a note." <ref>''New York Post'', "On Broadway", a column by Michael Riedel, July 27, 2007</ref>

===Film; Studio recording===
The [[West Side Story (film)|1961 film version]] won 10 [[Academy Awards]] out of 11 nominations. It was directed by [[Robert Wise]] and Robbins and starred [[Natalie Wood]], [[Rita Moreno]] and George Chakiris.
In 1984, Bernstein decided to re-record the musical, conducting his own music for the first time. Generally known as the "operatic version" of ''West Side Story'', it stars [[Kiri Te Kanawa]] as Maria, [[José Carreras]] as Tony, [[Tatiana Troyanos]] as Anita, Kurt Ollman as Riff, and [[Marilyn Horne]] as the offstage voice who sings "Somewhere". It won a [[Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album]] in 1985 and the recording process was filmed as a [[Documentary film|documentary]].
<!-- Please Do Not Include Performances done by local Schools/Community Theatres unless that performance can be backed up as notable. See [[WP:MUS]] -->

==Critical reaction==
The creators' innovations in dance, music and theatrical style resulted in strong reactions from the critics. [[Walter Kerr]] wrote in the ''[[New York Herald Tribune]]'' on September 27, 1957:<ref>[http://www.leonardbernstein.com/studio/element2.asp?id=92 ''New York Herald Tribune'', September 27, 1957]</ref>

:{{cquote|The radioactive fallout from ''West Side Story'' must still be descending on Broadway this morning. Director, choreographer, and idea-man Jerome Robbins has put together, and then blasted apart, the most savage, restless, electrifying dance patterns we've been exposed to in a dozen seasons. ...the show rides with a catastrophic roar over the spider-web fire-escapes, the shadowed trestles, and the plain dirt battlegrounds of a big city feud.... there is fresh excitement in the next debacle, and the next. When a gang leader advises his cohorts to play it "Cool," the intolerable tension between and effort at control and the instinctive drives of these potential killers is stingingly graphic. When the knives come out, and bodies begin to fly wildly through space under buttermilk clouds, the sheer visual excitement is breathtaking. ...Mr. Bernstein has permitted himself a few moments of graceful, lingering melody: in a yearning "Maria," in the hushed falling line of "Tonight," in the wistful declaration of "I Have a Love." But for the most part he has served the needs of the onstage threshing machine.... When hero Larry Kert is stomping out the visionary insistence of "Something's Coming" both music and tumultuous story are given their due. Otherwise it's the danced narrative that takes urgent precedence...."}}

The other reviews generally joined in speculation about how the new work would influence the course of musical theatre. Typical was [[John Chapman]]'s review in the [[New York Daily News]] on September 27, 1957, was headed: "West Side Story a Splendid and Super-Modern Musical Drama."

:{{cquote|The American theatre took a venturesome forward step when the firm of Griffith & Prince presented West Side Story at the Winter Garden last evening. This is a bold new kind of musical theatre – a juke-box Manhattan opera. It is, to me, extraordinarily exciting. ...the manner of telling the story is a provocative and artful blend of music, dance and plot – and the music and the dancing are superb. In [the score], there is the drive, the bounce, the restlessness and the sweetness of our town. It takes up the American musical idiom where it was left when [[George Gershwin]] died. It is fascinatingly tricky and melodically beguiling, and it marks the progression of an admirable composer....}}

''[[Time Magazine]]'' found the dance and gang warfare more compelling than the love story and noted that the show's "putting choreography foremost, may prove a milestone in musical-drama history...."<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809976,00.html ''Time Magazine'' review from October 7, 1957]</ref><ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_tov/ai_2419101309 2002 Article in St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture]</ref>

:{{cquote|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."}}

==Musical analysis==
===Orchestration===
The [[musical score|score]] for ''West Side Story'' was [[orchestrated]] by Bernstein himself, with assistance from Sid Ramin and [[Irwin Kostal]]. The [[orchestra]] personnel required for a proper performance of the score is among the largest in the musical theater repertoire. The score calls for five [[woodwind]] players (each doubling on multiple instruments), seven [[brass instrument|brass]]es, three [[percussionists]], a [[pianist]], a [[guitarist]], and twelve [[violinist|string player]]s. In all, 30 [[musicians]] are needed to perform the score as intended by the [[composer]].

==Recordings==
Recordings of ''West Side Story'' include:

*The 1957 [[West Side Story (Original Broadway Cast)|original Broadway cast album]], with [[Carol Lawrence]] as Maria and [[Larry Kert]] as Tony.
*The [[West Side Story (soundtrack)|movie soundtrack]], with [[Marni Nixon]] singing Maria's role (played in the film by [[Natalie Wood]]) and Jimmy Bryant (played in the film by [[Richard Beymer]]) as Tony. It won the [[Grammy Award for Best Sound Track Album or Recording of Original Cast from Motion Picture or Television]].
*The [[jazz]] version recorded by [[Oscar Peterson]] and his [[musical trio|trio]].
*In [[1966]], [[Buddy Rich]] and his big band performed an arrangement penned by Bill Reddie called West Side Story Medley for many years and became one of his most popular performances.
*A 1985 studio recording of the "operatic version", with Bernstein conducting, [[Kiri Te Kanawa]] singing Maria and [[José Carreras]] singing Tony. It won the [[Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album]].
* A 1993 recording, the first recording to document the full score including the [[overture]] performed by [[UK|Britain]]'s [[National Symphony Orchestra]] using cast members of the 1992 [[Leicester Haymarket Theatre]] production.
* A [[2007]] tribute album entitled "A Place for Us" marking the 50th anniversary of the show. The album features cover versions previously recorded as well as a new recording of "Tonight" by [[Kristin Chenoweth]] and Hugh Panero.
* A 2007 recording was released by Decca Broadway in honor of West Side Story's 50th anniversary. This album stars [[Hayley Westenra]] as Maria and [[Vittorio Grigolo]] as Tony. The Bernstein Foundation in New York has authorized the recording.<ref>[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/album_reviews/s/1012/1012899_west_side_story__50th_anniversary_recording__ucj_music_.html Album reviews]; [[Manchester Evening News]]; [[2007-08-06]]; accessed [[2007-08-13]]</ref>. It was nominated for the [[Grammy Award]] for Best Show Album.
*Bernstein recorded the Symphonic Dances suite with the [[New York Philharmonic]] in 1961, and with the [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]] in 1983.

==References in popular culture==

The popularity of ''West Side Story'' is evidenced by the number and variety of references to it in popular culture, including adaptations, musical [[pastiche]]s and references in other media. In addition to Bernstein's own ''West Side Story Suite'', the music has been adapted by The [[Buddy Rich]] Big Band, which arranged and recorded "West Side Story Medley" on the 1966 album ''Buddy Rich's Swingin' New Big Band'', and The [[Stan Kenton]] Orchestra, which recorded Johnny Richards' 1961 ''West Side Story'', an album of jazz orchestrations based on the Bernstein scores. It won the 1962 [[Grammy award]] for Best Jazz Recording by a Large Group.

Popular artists have covered songs from the musical. For instance, [[Selena]], the [[Tejano]] singer, recorded "A Boy Like That" in 1995, seven days before her death. In 1996, that song was released as the first single from the album ''The Songs of West Side Story''. This album also included such diverse artists as [[Little Richard]] ("I Feel Pretty"), [[Trisha Yearwood]] ("I Have A Love") and [[Salt-N-Pepa]], [[Def Jef]], [[Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes]], the [[Jerky Boys]], and [[Paul Rodriguez]] all collaborating on "Gee, Officer Krupke." "[[America (Leonard Bernstein song)|America]]" has been covered by [[Herb Alpert|The Tijuana Brass]] in an upbeat version on an early album; 1960s [[progressive rock]] band, [[The Nice]], recorded it as an instrumental protest song and [[Keith Emerson]] continued to perform it in concerts with his later groups, [[Emerson, Lake, and Palmer]] and [[3 (1980s band)|3]]. The song was also sampled at the beginning of the Yes cover of [[Paul Simon]]'s ''America'' and at the beginning of the [[Metallica]] song "Don't Tread on Me," from their ''[[Metallica (album)|Black Album]]'' (1991). In 1997, British singing group [[The Pet Shop Boys]] recorded a cover version of "Somewhere", which also used elements of "I Feel Pretty." During their 1997 series of concerts at the [[Savoy Theatre]], London, they used an extended version of "Somewhere" that started with "One Hand, One Heart."

[[P. J. Proby]], [[Len Barry]], and [[Barbra Streisand]] each had hit singles with versions of the song "Somewhere", while [[Johnny Mathis]] and [[Roger Williams]] did likewise with "Maria". [[Ferrante & Teicher]] scored a top ten hit with "Tonight"; [[Eddie Fisher]] also scored a chart hit with the song. <ref>Joel Whitburn, Top Pop Singles 1955-1999 (Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research, 2000).</ref>

The show has inspired some surprising musical uses. Many pastiches and parodies of the show or its music have made their way into popular media. In particular, the gang war has been spoofed frequently.

===References in Film===
* In the movie [[Anger Management]], the song "I Feel Pretty" was used in a number of scenes.
* In the movie ''[[Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy]]'', the news teams rumble under an overpass, to a drum beat like the one in West Side Story.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}
* The character Paul Viti from the 2002 movie, ''[[Analyze That]]'' sings a variety of ''West Side Story'' songs to prove that he is insane.
* In the film ''[[Dirty Dancing]]'' where Baby's sister, Lisa, tells her father she might sing "I Feel Pretty" for the resort's talent show.
* [[West Bank Story]] is a comedy/musical short film, directed by [[Ari Sandel]] that won Best Live Action Short Film at the 2007 Academy Awards.
* Bring It On 4's storyline is a modern adaptation of West Side Story's in the world of cheer leading.
* The French classical comedy [[Le Gendarme à New York]] (The Gendarme in New York), filmed on location shortly after the release of the Robert Wise movie, includes a well choreographed parody of the Jets' and the Sharks' rumble. The middle aged French Gendarmes, on visit in NYC, play a game of cat-and-mouse on a basket ball field in the West Side with hoodlums who stole from them a pack of meat.

===References in Television===
* The [[BBC]] used the song "America" as the theme song for their telecasts of the [[1994 FIFA World Cup]], with no apparent irony.
* The video for the [[Michael Jackson]] 1983 song "[[Beat It]]" was inspired by "The Rumble."
* An [[ESPN]] ad in the 1990s featured [[sportscaster]]s divided into two "gangs," due to a fictitious "dispute" at [[ESPN]], facing each other and rhythmically snapping fingers, in a parody of the show's opening number and the "rumble" scene.
* [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) also spoofed the musical in a commercial for the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|2005 Royal Rumble]], where one gang was composed of [[WWE Raw|Raw]] wrestlers and the other of [[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown]] wrestlers, singing about being the "last one standing;" a fight breaks out between the two gangs, before [[Vince McMahon]] wakes up, realizing that he had dreamed the whole scene and quipping, "That wasn't the Rumble I had in mind!"
* The mid-1990s ''[[Animaniacs]]'' segment "[[Goodfeathers]]" parodied many of the songs, including "Maria" (as "Carluta") and "America" ("Perching on Scorsese's Head").
* ''[[Sesame Street]]'' created "Veg Side Story".
* [[Saturday Night Live]] staged "I Feel Pretty" in a horror movie motif, featuring guest host [[Madeline Kahn]] as the [[Bride of Frankenstein]].
* In another [[Saturday Night Live]] sketch [[Mary Katherine Gallagher]] played by [[Molly Shannon]] sabotages her school production of West Side Story when she wants to be more than "prop mistress."
* In the 2001 ''[[Rugrats]]'' ''West Side Story'' homage, "Wash-Dry Story", the Rugrats battle the McNulty babies at a laundromat.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}
* The TV series ''[[Family Guy]]'', the episode "[[Saving Private Brian]]" includes references to the musical, including when Peter tries to join the Jets, but is not able to dance ("Not without six years of ballet and two of jazz-tap."){{Fact|date=June 2007}}
* A recent [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] TV ad showcased [[tennis]] player [[Maria Sharapova]] preparing for the [[U.S. Open (tennis)|U.S. Open]] to various onlookers singing "I Feel Pretty."
* On an episode of [[The West Wing]], C.J. responds to one of Sam's freakouts by snapping her fingers and singing "Boy, boy, crazy boy..." West Side Story is again referenced in the 4th season when Charlie compares himself to Officer Krupke after hearing of Anthony's petty crimes.
* In a Kanto episode titled "Wherefore Art Thou, Pokemon" of the [[Pokemon anime]], two Nidoran are named Tony and Maria, after the two main characters in West Side Story. The two Nidoran are in love, but are kept apart by their trainers who don't get along. Also, in the Hoenn story arc there's an episode title based on the "I feel Pretty" is referenced as a pun called ''"I Feel Skitty"''
* In the anime/manga series [[Cyborg 009]], the introduction of character of Cyborg 002 (aka. Jet) parodies the opening of the musical.
* The British sketch show [[Spitting Image]] featured a parody of 'America' sung by the then [[Prime Minister]] [[Margaret Thatcher]].
* On the first season finale of the ABC television show ''Ugly Betty'', Betty's young nephew is seen playing Tony in his school's production of ''West Side Story'', we see him singing some of "Something's Coming" and the final scene of the episode is put to "Somewhere."
* On an episode of [[Friends]], [[Chandler Bing]]'s transsexual father (played by [[Kathleen Turner]]) sang 'I Feel Pretty", with the words "I feel pretty and witty and bright" changed to "I feel pretty and witty and gay"
* In an episode of the first season of Queer as Folk, Emmett meets a guy in a gay club and they mimic the famous West Side Story scene where Tony and Maria first see each other.
* In an Episode of Queer as Folk, Brian calls Detective Horvath "Officer Krupke."
* The name of the episode of [[King of the Hill]] where Bobby meets Connie in a fashion not unlike the musical is titled 'Westie Side Story'.

===References in Music===
* The [[Santana (band)|Santana]]/Product G&B [[Maria Maria]] was inspired by the musical.
* Liverpudlian band [[The Zutons]] used West Side Story in their video for [[Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?]] in 2006.
* The song "Hide Your Heart" by [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] is loosely based on ''West Side Story''. The characters in the song's storyline: Rosa, Johnny, and Tito, are the counterparts to Maria, Tony and Chino, respectively. "Hide Your Heart" was originally published in the ''[[Hot in the Shade]]'' Kiss album (1989) and was also covered by former Kiss guitarist [[Ace Frehley]] in his ''[[Trouble Walkin']]'' album the same year.
* [[Alice Cooper]] performed a segment of "Jet Song" on the track "Gutter Cat vs The Jets" on his [[1972]] ''[[School's Out (album)|School's Out]]'' album.
* The Popular Band LFO titled one of their tracks about a girl and boy in love but separated by their friends "West Side Story".
* The [[Metallica]] single ''Don't Tread on Me'' contains a brief instrumental nod to the song "America" during the intro.

===Other References===
* Selections from the work have also been played by marching band and drum corps continuously, and the 1984 production by [[The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps]] (at that time known as the Garfield Cadets in their 50th anniversary program) won their 2nd world championship using music from the show.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
* In the Broadway musical [[The Producers (musical)|"The Producers"]] the doorbell of flamboyant director [[Roger De Bris]] chimes the notes to "I Feel Pretty."
* "Gee, Officer Krupke" was featured in the 2001 Broadway production and subsequent PBS video of [[Blast! (musical)|Blast!]], a professional on-stage drum and bugle corps, as parody and homage to high school marching bands.
* A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AE847UXu3Q YouTube Video] surfaced in [[2007]] showing 2008 U.S. presidential candidate [[John Edwards]] getting primped to the song "I Feel Pretty."

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Vaill, A, ''Somewhere: The Life of Jerome Robbins'', New York: Broadway Books, 2006
* Bauch, Marc. THE AMERICAN MUSICAL. Marburg: Tectum Verlag, 2003. http://www.tectum-verlag.de/8458_Marc_Bauch_The_American_Musical_with_References_to_Selected_American_Musicals_by_Richard_Rodgers_Oscar_Hammerstein_II_Arthur_Laurents_Leonard_Bernstein_Stephen_Sondheim_and_James_Lapine.html

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*[http://www.westsidestory.com/news.php The Official West Side Story website]
*{{ibdb title|id=2639|title=West Side Story}}
*[http://www.ibdb.com/Show.asp?id=9232 Internet Broadway Database for all productions]
*[http://www.sondheimguide.com/wss.html West Side Story at sondheimguide.com]
*[http://www.mtishows.com/show_home.asp?ID=000077 MTI shows listing]
*[http://sondheimreview.com/v9n3.htm#article 2002 Interview with Chita Rivera on the 1957 stage show of ''West Side Story'']
*[http://www.nodanw.com/shows_w/west_side_story.htm Synopsis and other information from the NODA website]

{{Musicals and operas of Leonard Bernstein}}
{{Stephen Sondheim}}
{{Romeo and Juliet}}

[[Category:Compositions by Leonard Bernstein]]
[[Category:Broadway musicals]]
[[Category:1957 musicals]]
[[Category:Best Musical or Comedy Picture Golden Globe]]

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Revision as of 14:11, 21 January 2008

Kevin Tang luvs Claudia White 4 eva

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