West Side Story was inspired by Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet. The story is set in the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City in the mid-1950s, an ethnic, blue-collar neighborhood
The story tells the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two street gangs of immigrants from different ethnic backgrounds, Poland and Puerto Rico
West Side Story (1961) is an quintessential American musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by the master himself, Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and conception and choreography by Jerome Robbins. The musical (1949) was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. It is set in the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City in the mid-1950s, an ethnic, blue-collar neighborhood. The rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two street gangs of immigrants from different ethnic backgrounds makes the story surprisingly contemporary. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre. The story is set on the interface of the Left and Right view of man. The theme is well explored throughout the film.