WEST SIDE STORY SYNOPSIS

Act 1

Two gangs of teenagers, the Sharks and the Jets, fight for control of the neighborhood. Police officers Lt. Schrank and Officer Krupke chase the Sharks away, leaving the Jets to plot their continued dominance of the streets.

Riff, the Jets’ leader, suggests a rumble. He plans to challenge the Sharks’ leader, Bernardo, at a neighborhood dance that night and suggests they invite Tony, a former member of the Jets. Some of the gang is hesitant, unsure of Tony’s loyalty. Riff approaches Tony anyway and he reluctantly agrees.

In the bridal shop where they work, Bernardo’s girlfriend Anita is making a dress for Bernardo’s sister, Maria, to wear to the dance. Maria has recently arrived from Puerto Rico and her parents have arranged for her to marry Chino, a Shark.

That night at the dance, Tony and Maria notice each other. They dance together, ignoring the tension in the room. Bernardo separates them and sends his sister home.

Riff and Bernardo agree to hold a meeting on neutral territory: Doc’s Drug Store, the Jets regular hangout. Meanwhile, the infatuated Tony serenades Maria from the fire escape outside her bedroom. Maria emerges and the two profess their love. Moments later, Anita and the other Shark girls discuss the differences between Puerto Rico and America.

At Doc’s Drug Store, the Jets try to release some tension while waiting for the Sharks, who eventually arrive. Tony, who has come along after the Sharks, suggests a fair fight – no weapons. The gang leaders agree, despite protests from the other members. Bernardo hopes to fight Tony but is instead matched with Diesel. Lt. Schrank attempts to discover the location of the fight.

Tony reveals his love for Maria to Doc. Doc is worried but Tony believes everything will work out.

At the bridal shop the next day, Tony and Maria dream of their wedding. Maria asks Tony to stop the fight; Tony agrees. That night, the gangs meet. Tony arrives and attempts to stop the rumble. The fight escalates: Bernardo stabs Riff and Tony, in a fit of blind rage kills Bernardo. Sirens are heard and the gangs escape into the shadows, leaving the two bodies behind.

Act 2

In her bedroom, Maria daydreams about Tony with her confused friends. Chino arrives with the news that Tony has killed her brother. Tony appears and Maria angrily confronts him. Tony eventually calms her down and gains her forgiveness; the two dream of a place where there is peace and plan to run away together.

Meanwhile, the Jets try to get their minds off Riff’s death by lashing out at Officer Krupke. The tomboy Anybodys arrives with news: Chino is planning to hunt Tony down and kill him. The gang scatters to find and protect Tony.

The grieving Anita arrives at Maria’s apartment. As Tony leaves, he asks Maria to meet him at Doc’s so they can run away together. Anita furiously asks how Maria can love the man who killed her brother. Maria responds passionately, convincing Anita of her love for Tony. Anita reveals that Chino has a gun and is looking for Tony. Lt. Schrank arrives to question Maria. Anita goes to Doc’s to ask Tony to wait for Maria.

At Doc’s, the Jets attack Anita. The violence escalates as Doc returns to his store, horrified to find things getting out of control. Anita retaliates with a lie: she tells the Jets that Chino has killed Maria and rushes out of the store. Doc sadly tells Tony the horrific news of Maria’s death at Chino’s hands. Tony runs to find Chino.

The distraught Tony searches for Chino screaming for Chino to kill him Just as Tony sees that Maria is alive, Chino shoots him. The Jets, Sharks and adults arrive to see Maria holding Tony in her arms as he dies.

The Jets advance towards the Sharks but Maria takes Chino’s gun and threatens the crowd. She cannot bring herself to fire and drops the gun, crying. Gradually the two gangs come together, form a procession and carry Tony’s body away. The feud is over.