 WEST SIDE STORY
Music by Leonard Bernstein: Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim: Book by
Arthur Laurents: based on an idea by Jerome Robbins
Winter Garden Theatre, New York - 26 September, 1957 (734 Perfs)
Her Majesty's Theatre, London - 12 December, 1958 (1039 perfs)
STORY
Loosely based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and set in
the urban slums of New York, the show used, as its modern equivalents
for the Montagues and Capulets the juvenile gangs of local whites (the
Jets) and immigrant Puerto Ricans (the Sharks). The did battle with childish
seriousness over the streets that they claim as their territory.
The Jets, boastful and contemptuous of the immigrants, call on Tony,
who used to be their leader but now has a regular job and is on his way
to adulthood, to help their new leader Riff and the gang in a challenge
to the Sharks. Riff reminds Tony of his old allegiance and of how menacing
are the newcomers. Tony reluctantly agrees reluctantly but soon becomes
excited with the thrill of potential combat. Meanwhile, in a bridal shop Anita, the sweetheart of the Shark's leader,
Bernado, is converting Maria's communion dress into a gown for the dance
that evening. Maria is Bernardo's sister. He has brought her from Puerto
Rico hoping that she will marry his best friend, Chino.
At the dance Riff challenges Bernado and the groups agree to do battle.
Tony and Maria have seen each other and fall in love, instantly and become
oblivious to the menace that is building up around them.
Most of the Puerto Ricans are nervously elated over the coming conflict
but they are confident and determined to assimilate into the American
way despite the homesickness that some of them feel.
The threatening groups are dispersed by a policeman but the separation
is only temporary. What could have just been a game of muscle flexing
turns to tragedy when Bernado provokes a knife-fight which results in
Riff being killed. Bernado is murdered in turn by the avenging Tony. He
flees to the home of Maria who has been told of the news of her brother's
death by Chino. Her love for Tony overcomes her hatred for her brother's
killer. Tony promises to take her away and in a dream ballet sequence
the battle is re-enacted but this time the lovers are not allowed to meet.
The dream turns into a nightmare but Tony and Maria flee.
The gangs meanwhile are concerned with their inevitable encounter with
the law and mockingly imagine how they will deal with the situation in
the number "Gee, Officer Krupke". Anita taunts Maria for remaining faithful
to Tony but nonetheless agrees to deliver Maria's message for Tony to
the Jets. Unfortunately the Jets threaten to abuse and rape her that she
is driven to claim that Chino has shot and killed Maria. Hearing this,
angry and wild with grief Tony goes after Chino, but Chino coolly shoots
him just as Tony discovers that Maria is not dead after all. Somewhat
ashamed, the Jets and the Sharks between them remove Tony's body as Maria
follows them.
Principal Characters:
Maria - A young Puerto Rican
Tony - Her sweetheart
Anita - Bernardo's girl
Riff - Leader of the Jets
Bernado - Leader of the Sharks
Snowboy - A Jet gang member
Big Deal - A Jet gang member
Anybody's - A Jet gang member
Rosalia - A Shark girlfriend
Doc - A Grown-up
Chino - A Shark gang member
WEST SIDE STORY was first presented at the Winter Garden, New York City,
September 26, 1957, and at Her Majesty's Theatre, London, on December
12, 1958 with the following cast:
THE JETS
RIFF (The Leader) … GEORGE CHAKIRIS
TONY (His Friend) … DoN MCKAY
ACTION … EDDIE ROLL
A-RAB … TONY MORDENTE
BABY JOHN … ED VERSO
SNOWBOY … RIGGS O'HARA
BIG DEAL … DAVID BEAN
DIESEL … GARY COCKRELL
GEE-TAR … MICHEL KLEINMAN
MOUTHPIECE … JOE DONOVAN
THEIR GIRLS
GRAZIELLA … LESLIE FRANZOS
VELMA … SUSAN WATSON
MINNIE … INGE ROLL
CLARICE … MAUREEN GILLICK
ANYBODY'S … SYLVIA TYSICK
THE SHARKS
BERNARDO (The Leader) … KEN LE ROY
MARIA (His Sister) … MARLYS WATTERS
ANITA (His Girl) … CHITA RIVERA
CHINO (His Friend) … BEN GERARD
PEPE … MARC SCOTT
INDIO … BUD FLEMING
LUIS … DON PERCASSI
ANXIOUS … LEO KHARIBIAN
NIBBLES … KEITH STEWART
JUANO … BILLY WILSON
THEIR GIRLS
ROSALIA … FRANCESCA BELL
TERESITA … YVONNE OTHON
FRANCISCA … GLORIA HIGDON
ESTELLA … ROBERTA KEITH
MARGUERITA … LINA SORIANO
THE ADULTS
DOC … DAVID BAUER
SCHRANK … TED GUNTHER
KRUPKE … HAL GAUL!
GLAD HAND … DAVID HOLLIDAY
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