Who are the gangs in West Side Story?
On the west side of New York City, the Jets and the Sharks are Polish and Puerto Rican gangs respectively who hate each other and who battle each other for territory in their neighborhood. Their feud makes a small connection when at a gymnasium dance, Tony, one of the founders of the Jets but who is now inactive in the gang, and Maria,…
What was the synopsis of West Side Story?
West Side Story synopsis. West Side Story Synopsis – Broadway musical. The two gangs – Jets, consisting of white & Sharks, including the Puerto Ricans – fought for control in West Side district. The leader of the first ones decided on the next dance to challenge Bernardo, the leader of the second.
How does dance drive the narrative in West Side Story?
Dance Drives the Narrative. In West Side Story, Robbins broke with musical theater traditions to portray the unglamorous world of urban gangs with all the gravitas of the classic narratives about the privileged class. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the inspiration for the tragedy of Tony and Maria.
What was the original music for West Side Story?
Bernstein composed West Side Story and Candide concurrently, which led to some switches of material between the two works. 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.
It shows the growing tensions between the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, and the Jets, a gang made up of “American” boys. An incident between the Jets and Shark leader, Bernardo, escalates into an all out fight between the two gangs. Officers Schrank and Krupke arrive to break up the fight.
Who are the gangs in west side Stroy?
The movie consists of two gangs named the Jets (a white gang) and the Sharks (a Puerto Rican gang) who live in New York City. They are always fighting and getting into trouble with the police because of their hatred for each other’s race.
Who are the main characters in West Side Story?
The young protagonist, Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang’s leader, Riff, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in musical theatre.
Who was action in West Side Story 1961?
Action ( Tony Mordente) asks to be Riff’s lieutenant for the challenge and council, but the Jets leader insists on using Tony ( Richard Beymer ), Riff’s best friend, and co-founder of the Jets. Tony has since begun to drift away from the gang, and the Jets think he doesn’t belong any more.
Who was riff’s best friend in West Side Story?
But when Riff’s best friend (and former Jet) Tony and Bernardo’s younger sister Maria meet at a dance, no one can do anything to stop their love. Maria and Tony begin meeting in secret, planning to run away. Then the Sharks and Jets plan a rumble under the highway–whoever wins gains control of the streets.
Where does the story of West Side Story take place?
The story is set in the mid 1950s in the Upper West Side of New York City, a multiracial, blue-collar neighborhood. 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.
Who are the Sharks in 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.
Who was Teresita in the original West Side Story?
The character is vivacious and gossipy. Wilder was in the original London cast of “West Side Story,” where she played Teresita and understudied Anita. Wilder and Rita Moreno where the only Puerto Rican born actors on the set. “West Side Story” was Wilder’s first of 38 film and TV appearances.
Set in New York in the mid- 13505, the musical explores the rivalry betuueen the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The members of the Sharks are first-generation Americans from Puerto Rico taunted hy the Jets.
Where did the gangs in Los Angeles originate?
African-American gangs originated in Los Angeles in the 1920s and originally consisted of family members who collaborated in criminal activities to obtain money. By the 1960s, the Crips and the Bloods were the largest and most violent African-American gangs. Hispanic gangs also began in Los Angeles in the 1920s.
Where does the movie West Side Story take place?
West Side Story (1961 film) Summary. The film is set in the rough neighborhood of Lincoln Square on the West Side of Manhattan during the summer of 1957. There is a palpable friction in the air as two gangs vie for dominance of the area: the Jets, a white gang led by Riff, and the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, led by Bernardo.
The synopsis below may give away important plot points. A fight set to music between an American gang, the Jets, and a rival gang, the Sharks, who have moved into the Jets’ territory from Puerto Rico. We are introduced to the leader of the Jets, Riff ( Russ Tamblyn ), and the leader of the Sharks, Bernardo ( George Chakiris ).
Who is the police officer in West Side Story?
Not too long after the opening scene, a scuffle between rival gang members occurs and police officers Lieutenant Schrank and Officer Krupke intervene to stop the brawl. Officer Krupke makes a public announcement ordering both gangs to stop all hostilities or risk arrest.