What is the storyline of West Side Story?

What is the storyline of West Side Story?

A musical in which a modern day Romeo and Juliet are involved in New York street gangs. On the harsh streets of the upper west side, two gangs battle for control of the turf. The situation becomes complicated when a gang members falls in love with a rival’s sister.
West Side Story/Film synopsis

Who is the Romeo in West Side Story?

Just change the feuding Montagues and Capulets to Jets and Sharks. Tony is Romeo, Maria’s Juliet, Riff’s the best friend Mercutio, Bernardo is Tybalt… it goes on and on.

How is West Side Story based on 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….

What is the theme of West Side Story?

West Side Story is truly everywhere — and with its themes of love striving to rise above hatred; the fear of immigrants; and the toxicity of racism, West Side Story speaks to us today as urgently as ever.

What is the purpose of West Side Story?

Conceived in 1949, West Side Story has a serious message that pleads for racial tolerance, delivered in unforgettable song and dance. People have been listening to that message, and humming the songs, ever since the show premiered on Broadway in 1957 and debuted on the silver screen in 1961.?

How does Westside story end?

Tony dies in Maria’s arms, surrounded by members of both street gangs. Maria grabs Chino’s gun and tells the gang members that they are all responsible for the deaths of Riff, Bernardo, and Tony. The police arrive and arrest Chino while members of the Jets and the Sharks carry Tony’s body away.

Why was West Side Story written?

West Side Story was originally East Side Story. They planned to stage the conflict between rival Catholic and Jewish groups. Laurents then presented the idea of changing the conflict to involve Puerto-Rican versus white gangs on the then-grungy Upper West Side of Manhattan. All at once, the project took off.

Why is West Side Story important?

West Side Story is an important artistic accomplishment and is responsible for some significant changes in the concept of the filmed musical. It is significant because of its melding of jazz, avant-garde, Broadway, and Latin-American musical styles, predating the fusion movement by ten years.

What is the theme of Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story?

ROMEO AND JULIET COMPARISON IN THEMES • The overriding theme, of course, between the two stories – Romeo and Juliet and The West Side Story is love – deep, intense and passionate love that defies friendship, family and everything in between.

Who killed Tony in West Side Story?

Chino
Tony – Shot by Chino as revenge for Bernardo’s death. Chino was later arrested by Officer Krupke.

What happens to Maria after Tony dies?

Anita, angry about her treatment by the Jets, gets a phony message to Tony saying that Maria was killed. A grief-stricken Tony tells Chino to kill him too, and Chino obliges. Juliet wakes up to see him dead, and joins him for real this time. Maria, however, survives.

What was the plot of West Side Story?

Summaries. West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet”. The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs- the white Jets led by Riff and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding.

Is there a happy ending to West Side Story?

And unlike the typical Broadway musical of the 1950s and before, West Side Story does not offer audiences a happy ending. Just as Romeo and Juliet are born to rival families, Tony and Maria are associated with rival gangs.

Who are the gangs in West Side Story?

West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet”. The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs- the white Jets led by Riff and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding.

Who are Tony and Maria in West Side Story?

Just as Romeo and Juliet are born to rival families, Tony and Maria are associated with rival gangs. Tony is a Jet, a gang of American-born youths led by his best friend, Riff.