WEST SIDE STORY

'''West Side Story''' is a musical written by Arthur Laurents (book), Leonard Bernstein (music), and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics). The story is based loosely on Shakespeare's ''Romeo and Juliet'', which was, in turn, based on a narrative poem by Arthur Brooke entitled ''The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet'' (1562).
Set on Manhattan's Upper West Side, the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The young protagonist, Anton ("Tony"), who belongs to the white gang, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the rival Puerto Rican gang. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theater. Bernstein's score for the musical has become extremely popular, including "Something's Coming", "Maria", "America," "Somewhere," "Tonight", "Jet Song", "I Feel Pretty", "One Hand, One Heart", and "Cool".
The original 1957 Broadway production, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins and produced by Robert E. Griffith and Harold Prince, marked Stephen Sondheim's Broadway debut. It ran for 732 performances (a successful run for the time), before going on tour. The production garnered a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical in 1957, but the award ultimately went to Meredith Willson's ''The Music Man''. The show has enjoyed an even longer-running London production, a number of revivals and international success, and spawned an innovative, award-winning 1961 musical film of the same name. ''West Side Story'' is produced frequently by local theaters and, occasionally, by opera companies.

Contents

Background

Synopsis

Act 1

Act 2

Characters

Shakespearean parallels

Productions

West End

Revivals

Film; Studio recording

Critical reaction

Musical analysis

Orchestration

Use of the tritone

Recordings

References in popular culture

Notes

Further reading

External links

Background

In 1949, Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins planned to write a modern story, based on ''Romeo and Juliet'', with music by Leonard Bernstein, for a new musical called ''Gangway'', which was later changed to ''East Side Story'' – a Shakespearean conflict set in New York City slums. Taking place on the east side of Manhattan, the plot was to focus on a young Italian-American Catholic boy who falls in love with a Jewish girl who has survived the Holocaust and immigrated from Israel to America. It was to be set during the Easter-Passover weekend celebration.Information from LeonardBernstein.com The conflict was to be centered around anti-semitism of the Catholic "Jets" and resentment of the Jews or "Emeralds" (a name that made its way into the script as a reference). But the creators came to feel that the story was already dated and that its themes had already been covered in plays like ''Abie's Irish Rose'', and so the piece was shelved – for almost five years.^[1] In 1954, upon seeing a new wave of migration from Puerto Rico and reading news of gang wars, Laurents changed the characters' background: the lead, Anton, changed from an Italian-American to a Polish-American, and Maria changed from a Jew to a Puerto Rican.Information from WestSideStory.com factsheet
By late 1955, Robbins, Laurents and Bernstein teamed up with 25-year old newcomer Stephen Sondheim, who would write the lyrics for the songs in the work, now titled ''West Side Story''. Originally, when considering the cast, Laurents wanted James Dean for the lead role of Tony, but the actor had died before hearing of it. Sondheim found Larry Kert and Chita Rivera, who created the roles of Tony and Anita, respectively. Bernstein had composed ''West Side Story'' and ''Candide'' concurrently, which led to some switches of material between the two works.^[2] Tony and Maria's duet, "One Hand, One Heart," was originally intended for Cunegonde in ''Candide''. The music of "Gee, Officer Krupke" was pulled from the Venice scene in ''Candide''.Information from WestSideStory.com bibliography page Laurents explained the "style" that the creative team finally decided on: "Just as Tony and Maria, our Romeo and Juliet, set themselves apart from the other kids by their love, so we have tried to set them even further apart by their language, their songs, their movement. Wherever possible in the show, we have tried to heighten emotion or to articulate inarticulate adolescence through music, sung or danced."^[3]
In late spring of 1957, only two months before the show was to begin rehearsals, producer Cheryl Crawford left the production. Bernstein was despondent, and Sondheim was shocked at the rejection. But Crawford's partner in London, Roger Stevens, urged the creative group not to give up. Sondheim enlisted the support of his friend Harold Prince, who brought in his partner Robert Griffith. Prince recalled, in his memoirs: "Sondheim and Bernstein sat at the piano playing through the music, and soon I was singing along with them." Getting the work on stage was still not easy. Bernstein told ''Rolling Stone Magazine'': ^[4]
:
Robbins insisted on eight weeks of rehearsal instead of the customary four, since there was to be more dancing in ''West Side Story'' than in any previous Broadway show. As the rehearsals wore on, Bernstein fought to keep his score together, as other members of the team called on him to cut out more and more of the sweeping or complex "operatic" passages. Columbia Records initially declined to record the cast album, saying that the score was too depressing and too difficult. Robbins wanted a gritty realism from his sneaker- and jeans-clad cast. He gave the ensemble more freedom than Broadway dancers had previously been given to interpret their roles. He also kept the two gangs separate, so that they did not mix socially, and reminded everyone of the reality of gang violence by posting news stories on the bulletin board.^[5]

Synopsis

Act 1

Two rival teenage gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks (newcomers), assert their claims for control of the neighborhood, amidst police whistles and taunts (dance Prologue). The Jets break off to celebrate and to plan how they can assure their continued dominance of the street ("Jet Song"). The Jet's leader, Riff, convinces his friend, Tony, to re-join the gang at the neighborhood dance. Loyal to Riff, Tony agrees, but he is unhappy with gang life and imagines a better future ("Something's Coming"). Maria works in a bridal shop with Anita, the girlfriend of her brother, Bernardo, who is the Sharks' leader. Maria's family has selected Chino to be her future husband. Maria has newly arrived from Puerto Rico, and, like Tony, is full of hope. Anita makes Maria a dress to wear to the neighborhood dance.
At the dance, after introductions, the young people begin to dance; soon a challenge dance is called ("Mambo"). Tony and Maria see each other across the room and are drawn to each other. They dance together, forgetting the tension in the room, falling in love. An enraged Bernardo pulls his sister from Tony's arms and sends her home. Riff and Bernardo agree to meet for a War Council at the local luncheonette, Doc's Drug Store, which is considered neutral ground. An infatuated and happy Tony finds Maria's building and serenades her outside her bedroom ("Maria"). Appearing on her fire escape, the two confirm their love for each other ("Tonight"). Meanwhile, Anita and the other Shark girls discuss the differences between Puerto Rico and America ("America"). At Doc's, the Jets get antsy while waiting for the Sharks ("Cool"). The Sharks arrive, and after an interruption by the ineffective Lt. Schrank, they agree that Bernardo will fight Diesel. Tony suggests fists, but weapons are agreed upon. Despite Doc's warnings, Tony is convinced that nothing can go wrong; he is in love.
Tony meets Maria at the bridal shop the next day, where they dream of their wedding ("One Hand, One Heart"). She asks Tony to stop the fight, which he agrees to do. Tony, Maria, Anita, Bernardo (and the Sharks), and Riff (and the Jets) all anticipate the events to come that night ("Tonight Quintet"). Tony arrives and tries to stop the rumble, already in progress. Though Bernardo taunts Tony, ridicules his attempt to make peace and provokes him in every way, Tony keeps his composure. During the rumble, Riff and Bernardo get in a knife fight. Tony warns Riff to back away, but Riff shakes him off and continues the fight. Bernardo stabs Riff. Reacting furiously, Tony kills Bernardo in a fit of rage. The sound of approaching sirens is heard, and everyone scatters, except Tony, who stands in shock at what he has done. The tomboy Anybodys, who wishes that she could become a Jet, tells Tony to flee from the scene at the last moment. Only the bodies of Riff and Bernardo remain.

Act 2

Along with her female friends, Maria has not heard the news and daydreams happily about being loved by Tony ("I Feel Pretty"). She mentions marriage, but the girls assume she is thinking about Chino. Just then, Chino brings the news that Tony has killed Bernardo, and he swears that he will pay him back. After they leave, Tony climbs through Maria's window to find her praying. He explains what happened and begs her forgiveness. Maria and Tony imagine a new world where they can love each other, and the Jets and Sharks can live together in peace and harmony ("Somewhere"). They embrace in Maria's bed. Meanwhile, Officer Krupke questions the Jets about the murders. The gang makes fun of Krupke and the other adults (social workers, police, psychiatrists, and judges), who do not understand them ("Gee, Officer Krupke").
A grieving Anita arrives at Maria's apartment. Tony leaves through the window, telling Maria to meet him at Doc's so they can run away to the country. Anita sees that Tony has been with Maria, and asks in horror how she can love the man who killed her brother ("A Boy Like That"). Maria responds passionately ("I Have A Love"), and Anita understands that Maria loves Tony as much as she had loved Bernardo. She admits that Chino has a gun and is looking for Tony. Schrank arrives to question Maria, and Anita reluctantly agrees to go to Doc's to tell Tony to wait.
At the store, the Jets taunt Anita with racist innuendo and insults. The taunts turn into physical abuse, and Anita is nearly raped before a horrified Doc arrives to stop the boys. In her anger, Anita tells the Jets that Bernardo was right about them, and she lies, saying that Chino has killed Maria. After confronting the Jets over the fighting, Doc relates the news to Tony, who has been pacing in Doc's cellar and dreaming of heading to the country to have children with Maria. Feeling there is no longer anything to live for, Tony leaves to find Chino, begging for Chino to kill him too. Just as Tony sees Maria alive, Chino arrives and shoots Tony. As Tony dies in Maria's arms, the Jets and Sharks flock around the lovers ("Somewhere" Reprise). Maria takes Chino's gun and tells everyone that hatred is what killed Tony and the others, and now she can kill, because now she hates, too. But she is unable to bring herself to fire the gun and collapses in her grief, ending the cycle of violence. The adults arrive too late to prevent the shootings. Gradually, all the members of both gangs assemble on either side of Tony's body, suggesting that the feud is over. The Jets and Sharks form a procession, and together they carry Tony away. Krupke arrests Chino.

Characters

;Jets

★ 'Riff' - The founder and leader of the white gang, "The Jets".

★ 'Tony (Anton)' - Riff's best friend and co-founder of the Jets; he falls in love with Maria. Tony is Polish-American. (tenor)

★ 'Diesel ("Ice") ' - Second in command of the Jets. Takes over upon Riff's death.

★ 'Action' - Hot-tempered and bitter; second in command when Riff dies.

★ 'A-Rab' - The son of an alcoholic. Almost rapes Anita in Act 2 along with the other members of the Jets.

★ 'Baby John'- Youngest member of the Jets. The Sharks jump him and pierce his ear in the prologue.

★ 'Anybodys' - A tomboy who wishes to be included in the gang but is rejected by the gang members.

★ 'Other Jets' - Snowboy, Big Deal, Gee-tar, Mouth Piece, Tiger

★ 'Their Girls' - Graziella, Velma, Minnie, Clarice, Pauline
;Sharks

★ 'Bernardo' - The leader of Puerto Rican gang, "The Sharks". He is Maria's brother and Anita's boyfriend.

★ 'Maria' - Sister of Bernardo; she falls in love with Tony. (soprano)

★ 'Chino' - Bernardo's best friend and Maria's fiancé. He takes over Bernardo's leader position after the rumble.

★ 'Anita' - Maria's friend and Bernardo's girlfriend. (mezzo-soprano)

★ 'Consuelo'-Anita's Cousin. Sings "Somewhere".

★ 'Other Sharks' - Toro, Pepe, Indio, Luis, Anxious, Nibbles, Juano, Moose

★ 'Their Girls' - Rosalia,, Teresita, Francisca, Estella, Margarita
;Adults

★ 'Officer Krupke' - Local police officer who tries to prevent the gangs from feuding.

★ 'Doc' - The owner of a local luncheonette and confidante to Tony.

★ 'Glad Hand' - Local social worker.

★ 'Lieutenant Schrank' - Krupke's superior.

Shakespearean parallels

Most of the key characters in ''West Side Story'' have counterparts in ''Romeo and Juliet'':

★ Tony/Romeo

★ Maria/Juliet

★ Chino/Paris

★ Bernardo/Tybalt/Lord Capulet

★ Riff/Mercutio/Lord Montague

★ Baby John/Benvolio

★ Anita/Nurse

★ Doc/Friar Lawrence/Balthasar

★ Schrank/Prince Escalus

★ Krupke/Peter

★ A-Rab/Abraham

★ Jets/Montagues

★ Sharks/Capulets
The original ending of ''West Side Story'' was more similar to that of ''Romeo and Juliet'' than the final version. In the original version, after Maria gives her monologue about hatred, she fatally shoots Chino and then kills herself in despair, hoping that she will see Tony again in death. The adults arrive on the scene too late to help, and Anita tells them the full story, resulting in the Jets and Sharks resolving their differences. This ending was described by preview audiences as "too depressing," and so the producers used the less tragic, more hopeful ending seen in the final version.

Productions

===Original Broadway===
After tryouts in Washington, DC and Philadelphia beginning in August 1957, the original Broadway production opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 26 1957 to positive reviews. The production was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, produced by Robert E. Griffith and Harold Prince and starred Larry Kert as Tony, Carol Lawrence as Maria and Chita Rivera as Anita. Robbins won the Tony Award for Best Choreographer, and Oliver Smith won the Tony for Best Scenic Designer. Also nominated were Carol Lawrence, as Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Max Goberman as Best Musical Director, and Irene Sharaff for Best Costume Design. Carol Lawrence received the 1958 Theatre World Award. The production ran for 732 performances at the Winter Garden Theatre before touring and then returning to the Winter Garden Theatre in 1960 for another 253 performance engagement
The other principal or notable cast members in the original production were: Anybodys: Lee Becker, Riff: Mickey Calin, A-Rab: Tony Mordente, Action: Eddie Roll, Baby John: David Winters, Big Deal: Martin Charnin, Gee-Tar: Tommy Abbott; Bernardo: Ken Le Roy, Chino: Jamie Sanchez, Nibbles: Ronnie Lee; Rosalia: Marilyn Cooper, Consuela: Reri Grist, Teresita: Carmen Gutierrez, Francisca: Elizabeth Taylor; Lt. Schrank: Arch Johnson, Doc: Art Smith, and Krupke: William Bramley.

West End

The 1958 European premiere at the Manchester Opera House transferred to London where it opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London's West End in December 1958 and ran until 1961 with a total of 1,039 performances. Robbins directed and choreographed, and it was co-Choreographed by Peter Gennaro, with scenery by Oliver Smith. George Chakiris, who won an Academy Award as Bernardo in the 1961 film version originated the role of Riff, Marlys Watters played Maria, and Chita Rivera played Anita.

Revivals

The New York City Center Light Opera Company production opened on April 8 1964 at the New York City Center and closed May 3, 1964 after a limited engagement of 31 performances. Tony was Don McKay, and Maria was Julia Migenes. It was staged by Gerald Freedman based on Robbins' original concept, and the choreography was re-mounted by Tom Abbott.
The Musical Theater of Lincoln Center and Richard Rodgers production opened at the New York State Theater, Lincoln Center, on June 24 1968 and closed on September 7, 1968 after 89 performances. Direction and choreography were reproduced by Lee Theodore, and scenery was by Oliver Smith. Tony was Kurt Peterson and Maria was Victoria Mallory.
A 1961 a tour of Israel, Africa and the Near East was mounted.^[6]
A Broadway revival opened at the Minskoff Theatre on February 14 1980 and closed on November 30, 1980, after 333 performances. It was directed and choreographed by Robbins with the assistance of Tom Abbott and Lee Becker Theodore and scenery was by Oliver Smith. It starred Debbie Allen as Anita, Josie de Guzman as Maria, and Ken Marshall as Tony. Both Allen and de Guzman received Tony Award nominations as Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and the musical was nominated as best Reproduction (Play or Musical). Allen won the Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical.
A 1987 tour starred Jack Wagner as Tony.
Several dances from ''West Side Story'' were presented as the featured performances in the Tony Award-winning 1989 Broadway production, ''Jerome Robbins' Broadway''.
A UK national tour played in 1997 and starred David Habbin as Tony, Katie Knight Adams as Maria and Anna Jane Casey as Anita. The production was very well received and transferred to London's West End opening at the Prince Edward Theatre in October 1998 subsequently transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre where it closed in January 2000. The production then toured the UK again.
A U.S. national tour, directed by Alan Johnson, was produced in 2002.^[7]
The Austrian Bregenz Festival presented ''West Side Story'' in a German translation by Marcel Prawy in 2003 and 2004, directed by the Francesca Zambello, followed by a German tour.^[8]
Since directing the 2007 City Center ''Encores!'' production of ''Gypsy'', Arthur Laurents said that he will direct a revival of ''West Side Story'' to open on Broadway in 2008. He expressed disappointment in the 1980 revival stating "I've come up with a way of doing it that will make it absolutely contemporary without changing a word or a note." ^[9]

Film; Studio recording

The 1961 film version won 10 Academy Awards out of 11 nominations. It was directed by Robert Wise and Robbins and starred Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris.
In 1984, Bernstein decided to re-record the musical, conducting his own music for the first time. Generally known as the "operatic version" of ''West Side Story'', it stars Kiri Te Kanawa as Maria, José Carreras as Tony, Tatiana Troyanos as Anita, Kurt Ollman as Riff, and Marilyn Horne as the offstage voice who sings "Somewhere". It won a Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1985 and the recording process was filmed as a documentary.

Critical reaction

The creators' innovations in dance, music and theatrical style resulted in strong reactions from the critics. Walter Kerr wrote in the ''New York Herald Tribune'' on September 27, 1957:^[10]
:
The other reviews generally joined in speculation about how the new work would influence the course of musical theatre. Typical was John Chapman's review in the New York Daily News on September 27, 1997, was headed: "West Side Story a Splendid and Super-Modern Musical Drama."
:
''Time Magazine'' found the dance and gang warfare more compelling than the love story and noted that the show's "putting choreography foremost, may prove a milestone in musical-drama history...."^[11][12]
:

Musical analysis

Orchestration

The score for ''West Side Story'' was orchestrated by Bernstein himself, with assistance from Sid Ramin and Irwin Kostal. The orchestra personnel required for a proper performance of the score is among the largest in the musical theater repertoire. The score calls for five woodwind players (each doubling on multiple instruments), seven brasses, three percussionists, a pianist, a guitarist, and twelve string players. In all, 30 musicians are needed to perform the score as intended by the composer.

Use of the tritone

The work is notable for its frequent use of the interval of a tritone. The tritone is formed by playing or singing two notes that are three "whole tones" apart from one another. To illustrate, the notes of the C major scale are C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. A tritone may be formed by playing a C and an F-sharp (F-sharp on the keyboard is the black key between F and G). The interval is dissonant (that is, it sounds jarring and unsettled and creates tension), and so a composer may choose to use the interval to express tension or unrest. The tritone includes two notes that are as distant from each other as possible within the musical scale. By embracing this tonal polarity, Bernstein is providing a musical representation of the opposing gangs in ''West Side Story''.
The tritone is most obvious in the first two notes of the song "Maria": E-flat and A-natural, which are the first two notes of a three-note motif comprising a tritone and then a rising semitone or half step up. This motif is first heard in the ''Prologue'' and recurs throughout the musical, appearing in numbers such as the "Mambo" and "Rumble" and forming both the ostinato bass line and the melody of the song "Cool." In addition, the song "Gee, Officer Krupke" begins in B major and ends in the key a tritone away, F major. The tritone appears for the final time at the very end of the piece, where several times a pianissimo C major chord in the high register of the orchestra is interrupted by a low F-sharp in the bass register. In the recording, only in the final bar is the C chord allowed to remain uninterrupted, thus creating a very last-minute release of the musical tension. However, the original score of the show has another F-sharp after the last C major chord, allowing the dissonance to continue un-resolved, as Bernstein intended it.

Recordings

Recordings of ''West Side Story'' include:

★ The 1957 original Broadway cast album, with Carol Lawrence as Maria and Larry Kert as Tony.

★ The 1961 movie soundtrack, with Marni Nixon singing Maria's role (played in the film by Natalie Wood) and Jimmy Bryant (played in the film by Richard Beymer) as Tony. It won the Grammy Award for Best Sound Track Album or Recording of Original Cast from Motion Picture or Television.

★ The jazz version recorded by Oscar Peterson and his trio.

★ A 1985 studio recording of the "operatic version", with Bernstein conducting, Kiri Te Kanawa singing Maria and José Carreras singing Tony. It won the Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album.

★ A 1993 recording, the first recording to document the full score including the overture performed by Britain's National Symphony Orchestra using cast members of the 1992 Leicester Haymarket Theatre production.

★ A 2007 tribute album entitled "A Place for Us" marking the 50th anniversary of the show. The album features cover versions previously recorded as well as a new recording of "Tonight" by Kristin Chenoweth and Hugh Panero.

★ A 2007 recording is being released by UCJ (Universal Classics & Jazz) in honor of West Side Story's 50th anniversary. This album stars Hayley Westenra as Maria and Vittorio Grigolo as Tony. The Bernstein Foundation in New York has authorized the recording.^[13]

★ Bernstein recorded the Symphonic Dances suite with the New York Philharmonic in 1961, and with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1983.

References in popular culture

The popularity of ''West Side Story'' is evidenced by the number and variety of references to it in popular culture, including adaptations, musical pastiches and references in other media. In addition to Bernstein's own ''West Side Story Suite'', The music has been adapted by The Buddy Rich Big Band, which arranged and recorded "West Side Story Medley" on the 1966 album ''Buddy Rich's Swingin' New Big Band'', and The Stan Kenton Orchestra, which recorded Johnny Richards' 1961 ''West Side Story'', an album of jazz orchestrations based on the Bernstein scores. It won the 1962 Grammy award for Best Jazz Recording by a Large Group.
Popular artists have covered songs from the musical. For instance, Selena, the Tejano singer, recorded "A Boy Like That" in 1995, seven days before her death. In 1996, that song was released as the first single from the album ''The Songs of West Side Story''. America" has been covered by The Tijuana Brass in an upbeat version on an early album; 1960s progressive rock band, The Nice, recorded it as an instrumental protest song (much to the annoyance of Bernstein);^[14] and Keith Emerson continued to perform it in concerts with his later groups, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer and 3. The song was also sampled at the beginning of the Yes cover of Paul Simon's ''America'' and at the beginning of the Metallica song "Don't Tread on Me," from their ''Black Album'' (1991). In 1997, British singing group The Pet Shop Boys recorded a cover version of "Somewhere", which also used elements of "I Feel Pretty." During their 1997 series of concerts at the Savoy Theatre, London, they used an extended version of "Somewhere" that started with "One Hand, One Heart." Barbara Streisand and Ferrante & Teicher have also covered songs from the show.
The show has inspired some surprising musical uses. The BBC used the song "America" as the theme song for their telecasts of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, with no apparent irony. The video for the Michael Jackson 1983 song "Beat It" was inspired by "The Rumble." Similarly, The Santana/Product G&B Maria Maria was inspired by the musical. Liverpudlian band The Zutons used West Side Story in their video for Why Won't You Give Me Your Love? in 2006. In the movie Anger Management, the song "I Feel Pretty" was used in a number of scenes. Selections from the work have also been played by marching band and drum corps continuously, and the 1984 production by The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (at that time known as the Garfield Cadets in their 50th anniversary program) won their 2nd world championship using music from the show. "Gee, Officer Krupke" was featured in the 2001 Broadway production and subsequent PBS video of Blast!, a professional on-stage drum and bugle corps, as parody and homage to high school marching bands.
The song "Hide Your Heart" by KISS is loosely based on West Side Story. The characters in the song's storyline: Rosa, Johnny, and Tito, are the counterparts to Maria, Tony and Chino, respectively. "Hide Your Heart" was originally published in the "Hot In The Shade" KISS album (1989) and was also covered by former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley in his Trouble Walkin' album the same year.
Many pastiches and parodies of the show or its music have made their way into popular media. In particular, the gang war has been spoofed frequently. An ESPN ad in the 1990s featured sportscasters divided into two "gangs," due to a fictitious "dispute" at ESPN, facing each other and rhythmically snapping fingers, in a parody of the show's opening number and the "rumble" scene. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) also spoofed the musical in a commercial for the 2005 Royal Rumble, where one gang was composed of Raw wrestlers and the other of SmackDown wrestlers, singing about being the "last one standing;" a fight breaks out between the two gangs, before Vince McMahon wakes up, realizing that he had dreamed the whole scene and quipping, "That wasn't the Rumble I had in mind!" In the movie '', the news teams rumble.
Other spoofs have included the mid-1990s ''Animaniacs'' segment "Goodfeathers", which parodied many of the songs, including "Maria" (as "Carluta") and "America" ("Perching on Scorsese's Head"). The character Paul Viti from the 2002 movie, ''Analyze That'' sings a variety of ''West Side Story'' songs to prove that he is insane. ''Sesame Street'' created "Veg Side Story". Saturday Night Live staged "I Feel Pretty" in a horror movie motif, featuring guest host Madeline Kahn as the Bride of Frankenstein. Finally, in the 2001 ''Rugrats'' ''West Side Story'' homage, "Wash-Dry Story", the Rugrats battle the McNulty babies at a laundromat.
Other references have included a scene in the film ''Dirty Dancing'' where Baby's sister, Lisa, tells her father she might sing "I Feel Pretty" for the resort's talent show. The TV series ''Family Guy'', the episode "Saving Private Brian" includes references to the musical, including when Peter tries to join the Jets, but is not able to dance ("Not without six years of ballet and two of jazz-tap.")
West Bank Story is a comedy/musical short film, directed by Ari Sandel that won Best Live Action Short Film at the 2007 Academy Awards.
A recent Nike TV ad showcased tennis player Maria Sharapova preparing for the U.S. Open to various onlookers singing "I Feel Pretty." A YouTube Video surfaced in 2007 showing 2008 U.S. presidential candidate John Edwards getting primped to the song "I Feel Pretty."
Alice Cooper performed a segment of "Jet Song" on the track "Gutter Cat vs The Jets" on his 1972 ''School's Out'' album.
On an episode of The West Wing, C.J. responds to one of Josh's freakouts by snapping her fingers and singing "Boy, boy, crazy boy..."
In a Kanto episode titled "Wherefore Art Thou, Pokemon" of the Pokemon anime, two Nidoran are named Tony and Maria, after the two main characters in West Side Story. The two Nidoran are in love, but are kept apart by their trainers who don't get along.
In the anime/manga series Cyborg 009, the introduction of character of Cyborg 002 (aka. Jet) parodies the opening of the musical.
The Popular Band LFO titled one of their tracks about a girl ans boy in love but serperated by their friends "West Side Story".

Notes

1. From Interview with Bernstein in 1984, published in ''Notes on Broadway'', p. 14
2. Some of the music that Bernstein wrote for ''West Side Story'', but that wasn't used in the production, was later integrated into the ''Chichester Psalms''.
3. Excerpted from a feature on Laurents in the ''New York Herald Tribune'' on August 4, 1957
4. From Bernstein interview with Jonathan Cott of ''Rolling Stone Magazine'', 1990
5. Information from a 2002 interview of Chita Rivera
6. Information from TheatreHistory.com
7. Information from the WestSideStory.com news page
8. Information from WestSideStory.com news
9. ''New York Post'', "On Broadway", a column by Michael Riedel, July 27, 2007
10. ''New York Herald Tribune'', September 27, 1957
11. ''Time Magazine'' review from October 7, 1957
12. 2002 Article in St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture
13. Album reviews; Manchester Evening News; 2007-08-06; accessed 2007-08-13
14. Information from Musicweb.uk.net

Further reading

★ Vaill, A, ''Somewhere: The Life of Jerome Robbins'', New York: Broadway Books, 2006

External links

★ The Official West Side Story website

★

★ Internet Broadway Database for all productions

★ West Side Story at sondheimguide.com

★ MTI shows listing

★ 2002 Interview with Chita Rivera on the 1957 stage show of ''West Side Story''

★ Synopsis and other information from the NODA website