Leonard Bernstein—West Side Story (Background Information)
Bernado
Maria's brother, and the leader of the Sharks.
Soprano
Maria's voice range in West Side Story.
The Jets
A gang in New York City made of Caucasians.
The Sharks
A gang in New York City made of Puerto Ricans.
Mezzo-soprano
Anita's voice range in West Side Story.
Anita
Bernado's girlfriend in West Side Story, and Maria's friend.
Baritone
Bernado's voice range in West Side Story.
Jerome Robbins
He choreographed West Side Story.
Stephen Sondheim
He was West Side Story's lyricist.
Arthur Laurents
He was West Side Story's playwright.
Maria
One of the main characters in West Side Story, and Bernstein's modern interpretation of Juliet; a Puerto Rican girl and the sister of Bernardo.
Tony
One of the main characters in West Side Story, and Bernstein's modern interpretation of Romeo.
Baritone
Riff's voice range in West Side Story.
Musical
The genre of West Side Story.
Riff
The leader of the Jets.
1957
The year that West Side Story was composed.
Tenor
Tony's voice range in West Side Story.
Romeo and Juliet
West Side Story is a modern retelling of this classic Shakespearean tragedy.