West Side Story

1. West Side Story Music by Leonard Bernstein Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

2. Synopsis • Setting: The Streets of New York City • Where: New York, New York • When: The 1950’s

3. Characters • Tony • Maria • Anita • Bernardo • Riff • Chino

4. Problem • The Sharks (Puerto Ricans) and the Jets (Americans) do not get along • Racism, and Bullying between the two groups • Tony and Maria are in love, but are not allowed to be together

5. Action • A rumble is planned between the two gangs to prove who will rule the streets • Tony and Maria plan to run away together

6. Solution • Bernardo kills Riff • Tony kills Bernardo • Chino kills Tony

7. Act 1 • The Sharks and The Jets are fighting, and plan a rumble • Riff wants Tony to help the gang but he refuses because he loves Maria • Tony promises Maria he will stop the rumble • Tony kills Bernardo after Bernardo has just killed Riff

8. Act 2 • Maria learns Tony has killed her brother but she still loves him, and plans to run away with him • Anita tells the Jets that Chino has shot Maria when he learned of her romance with Tony • Tony believes Maria is dead and begs Chino to kill him too • Maria and Tony reunite, but Tony is killed by Chino and dies in Marias arms

9. Leonard Bernstein • Born August 25, 1918 • Died October 14, 1990 • Born in USA, in Massachusetts • Began musical training at 13 • Went to Harvard to study music

10. Bernstein • First official job was in 1943 as the assistant conductor of the NY Philharmonic • First successful composition was Jeremiah Symphony which he premiered in 1944 • Married to Chilean actress Felicia Montealegre

11. Bernstein • Had 3 children- Jamie, Alexander and Nina • Most famous for writing the music of West Side Story • Besides music, he was famous for conducting, and his involvement in politics- was blacklisted in the 50’s for his radical view of the government