"West Side Story" is a musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. It is inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and is set in the mid-1950s in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The story centers around the rivalry between two teenage street gangs, the Jets (white Americans) and the Sharks (Puerto Ricans), and the tragic love affair between Tony, a former Jet, and Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader. The musical is known for its sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and exploration of social themes like bigotry and cultural misunderstanding. Original Broadway production debuted in 1957, and the story has been adapted into acclaimed films in 1961 and 2021. The 1961 film won 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture. The 2021 adaptation was directed by Steven Spielberg and also received multiple Oscar nominations and wins. The story's powerful themes and music have made it a milestone in musical theatre, with key songs like "America" and "Somewhere" being especially famous.
