On the west side of 1950’s New York City, the battle for territory rages between two youthful street gangs: the “American” Jets, led by Riff, and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. At a dance, Tony, former leader of the Jets, and Bernardo’s younger sister, Maria, see each other across the gym and fall in love at first sight. With opposition from both sides, they meet secretly and profess their love. But the gangs are plotting one more rumble that will finally, and tragically, end the battle for control of the streets.

Show Guidelines

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.

Language

The words crap, hell, damn, polak, spic, ass, and bastard are each used multiple times.

Violence

The show depicts the hate and fighting between two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Two characters are stabbed and one character is shot.

 The Jets taunt and attack Anita when she comes to Doc’s store to give a message to Tony. 

After several characters are killed, Maria points a gun at those onstage, asking “how many can I kill...and still have one bullet left for me?”

Drugs/Alcohol

In Gee, Officer Krupke, the Jets joke that they are juvenile delinquents because their “mothers all are junkies.”

Characters occasionally smoke or display cigarettes.

Mature Themes

Racial tension between the two gangs is a reoccurring theme of West Side Story. Both the Jets and Lieutenant Schrank use racial slurs against the Puerto Ricans.

Sexual References

The characters occasionally make subtle references to sexual situations.

It is strongly implied that Tony and Maria make love.