West Side Story Plot

West side story is an American musical inspired by the story 'Romeo and Juliet'which was written by William Shakespeare. It is a story about the rivalry between two street gangs with different ethnic backgrounds called the Jets and the Sharks. The Sharks are from Puerto Rico and the Jets are a Caucasian gang. It explores the theme of racism between two gangs, love and hatred. It is set in the upper west side of New York in the mid 1950's. As a book it was written by Arthur Laurents. 

Summary - Tony, a former Jets gang member and best friends with the leader of the Jets falls in love with the younger sister of the Sharks leader Maria. As the musical progresses the Sharks and the Jets schedule a fight using daggers; Riff the leader of the Jets gets killed by Bernardo the head of the Sharks. In outrage Tony kills Bernardo leaving both groups are left without leaders. Maria finds out about her brothers death from chino who then goes to look for him with his gun but her love for Tony is stronger. Anita, Bernardos lover is shocked that Maria cares more for Tony than her own brother and begins to shout at her. Eventually Anita sees her passionate love for to Tony and agrees to meet him at the drug store but as she arrives the jets taunt her her until it escalates into rape, after this she is so angry and tells Tony that Maria is dead. Tony goes to Chino and asks him to shoot him as he is devastated by the news. He then sees Maria for a brief second but is then shot. Tony then dies in Maria's arms. The jets are furious with the lost of another gang member and goes to attack the Sharks but Maria grabs the gun and threatens to kill everyone  but then drops the gun and cries over Tony's body. The feud is then declared over and Tony is carried away. 

Full Character List: Maria, Tony, Riff, Anita, Bernardo, Schrank, Doc, Krupke, Ice, Chino, Baby John, Graziella, Velma, Action, Arab, Snow Boy, Tiger, Joy Boy, Big Deal, Mouth Piece, Gees Tar, Anybody, Peper, Indio, Juana, Loco, Roco, Luis, Toro, Del Campo, Chile, Consuelo, Rosalia and Francisca.