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 major theme of West Side Story?
The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The members of the Sharks, from Puerto Rico, are taunted by the Jets, a white gang.
What is the main conflict in West Side Story?
The Conflict in West Side Story is the rivalry between the two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, and the developing relationship between Tony of the Jets and Maria of the Sharks. This conflict ends up not being completely resolved. The two rival gangs agree to have a rumble to settle their dispute once and for all.
What are the two themes in West Side Story?
West Side Story is a classic American musical that is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet. Like its source material, the show explores the theme of youth violence, as well as racial tensions in contemporary America.How does West Side Story end?
West Side Story (2021) ends in much the same manner as the 1961 picture. Tony hides at the drugstore, María is delayed by the cops, and fate intervenes. Anita is even forced to reluctantly help after bitterly discovering María and Tony’s affair.
Who killed Tony in West Side Story?
Tony—a former member of the Jets and Maria’s love interest—is the third character to die in West Side Story. Tony is shot by Chino, a friend of Bernardo’s who’s in love with Maria. Tony, who’s told by Valentina that Maria died, is killed at the end of the movie after he finds Maria and learns that she’s alive.
What genre is West Side Story?
Musical, Drama, Tragedy On the most basic level, West Side Story is drama, not only because it’s adapted from a stage play, but because the material is taken seriously and played straight (singing and dancing notwithstanding).
Is West Side Story a tragedy?
West Side Story is a modernized The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, with differences which add to the original story.What are the opposing forces in West Side Story?
The sharks and the jets are rival gangs fighting for the same territory. Tensions rise as a shark girl named Maria and a Jet named Tony fall for eachother, but there’s a problem they can never be allowed to be together. The sharks are Puerto Rican immigrants.
Who is the antagonist of West Side Story?Bernardo (last name unknown) is the main antagonist of the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story as well as its film adaptations.
Article first time published onWhy do the Jets hate the Sharks?
The Jets hate the Sharks because the Sharks are trying to take the Jets’ land. The Sharks hate the Jets because of racial insults and profiling. It wasn’t uncommon back then for different races to hate each other.
Is West Side Story based on Romeo and Juliet?
The tale of Tony and Maria in West Side Story is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. But instead of two young lovers of prominent Italian families feuding with each other, the boy and girl live in the blue-collar Upper West Side from rival factions of “natives” and “newcomers”.
What influenced West Side Story?
It is widely known that West Side Story (WSS) is based directly on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (R&J). Far less well known is the fact that Shakespeare based his play (1594) on other material, particularly a narrative poem by Arthur Brooke entitled The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet (1562).
How many versions of West Side Story are there?
By now, I’ve seen and heard West Side Story more times and more ways than I can count: on three different Broadway stages, and at regional theaters all over the world; in movie houses, concert halls, and on video; in high schools and colleges; in a punk rock version, and a one-woman version by Cher(!); and even at the …
Who is the leader of the Sharks in West Side Story?
Bernardo (David Alvarez) The leader of the Sharks and Maria’s older brother, Bernardo is proud, strong, and looking to carve a place in the Upper West Side for himself and the rest of the Sharks.
How much has West Side Story 2021 made?
Box office. As of December 26, 2021, West Side Story has grossed $24 million in the United States and Canada, and $12.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $36.8 million.
Is the new West Side Story a musical?
Spielberg’s new West Side Story will be the first musical he has directed in his long career, and musical-lovers everywhere are optimistic that he will do this classic musical justice.
Who plays Tony in West Side Story 2021?
Steven Spielberg has cast 20-year-old singer-songwriter Rachel Zegler as Maria. The newcomer will make her film debut opposite Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver), who will play Tony. Award-winning Broadway actress Ariana DeBose has been cast as Anita and David Alvarez as Bernardo, Maria’s brother and the leader of the Sharks.
What is the similar theme in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story?
Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story share many similar themes. Romeo and Juliet both chronicle a story of overcoming prejudice and hatred, forbidden love, and defying stereotypes that nobody thought could be broken.
What are some differences between Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story?
One of the Key differences between West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet is the modernization of the ending in West Side Story, compared to Romeo and Juliet. After Tony kills Bernardo out of anger and hatred towards him for murdering Riff, Maria and Tony make plans to run away that night.
Are the Jets in West Side Story Irish?
On one side, the Jets are made up of white juvenile delinquents, second or third generation Americans of Irish, Italian, and Polish descent. … In the midst of the hatred between these two groups, the former leader of the Jets, Tony, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the boss Shark, Bernardo.
What is Tony talking about in the song called Something's Coming?
BBC.com explains: ‘Something’s Coming’ is taken from Act I and is Tony’s first solo. At this point he has not met Maria. He has become disillusioned with gang warfare and looks forward to a better future.
What does Tony suggest for the rumble?
The Sharks arrive to discuss weapons to use in the rumble. Tony suggests “a fair fight” (fists only), which the leaders agree to, despite the other members’ protests. Bernardo believes that he will fight Tony, but must settle for fighting Diesel, Riff’s second-in-command, instead.
What are the names of the Jets in West Side Story?
- Riff, the leader.
- Tony, the second in command , former Jet, Riff’s best friend.
- Ice.
- Snowboy.
- Baby John.
- Action.
- A-Rab.
- Tiger.
What happens at the dance between Maria and Tony?
During the dance, Maria and Tony meet, fall in love at first sight, and dance. Bernardo catches Maria and Tony in a kiss. Angry, he separates the two and calls for a “rumble.” Tony leaves the dance dreaming about Maria.
Who is Anita to Maria?
Anita was portrayed by (Rita Moreno) in the 1961 rendition of West Side Story. She is a Puerto Rican immigrant and the girlfriend of Bernardo. She is a close friend and confidante to his sister Maria.
Where does West Side story take place?
West Side Story was originally set in the neighborhood of Lincoln Square, or San Juan Hill, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Until the 1950s, the neighborhood was predominantly African-American and Afro-Caribbean. Though it suffered from poverty and crime, it was also a cultural hotspot, especially for music.
Why is it called West Side Story?
It would be called “East Side Story,” and it would take place at the turn of the 20th century during the holidays of Easter and Passover. … In his memoir, Laurents recalled the moment “East Side Story” became “West Side Story”: when he read a news headline that blared, “More Mayhem from Chicano Gangs.”
Is West Side Story True?
No, West Side Story is not based on a true story, but the musical’s setting and issues of race, social class, misogyny, and inequality are very much real. West Side Story was conceived by choreographer Jerome Robbins who wanted to adapt Romeo and Juliet into a musical.
How was West Side Story influenced by Shakespeare?
West Side Story was based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – but its depiction of violence between New York street gangs meant the show was a long way from the typical Broadway fare of the ’50s.
