West side story is one of the most loved musicals of all time.

Many believe this is because, compared with other musicals, it is full of, amazing dancing, incredible singing, stupendous acting and a brilliant story line that has attracted many from all aspects of the performing world. The music was written by Lenard Bernstein. And the story based on one of the greatest love storys ever; Romeo and Juliet. Leonard Bernstein was a composer who was able to write music in many different styles, including classical, pop and jazz. The works he composed for west side story were influenced by popular styles, including music composed by Hispanics.The story is set in the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City in the mid-1950s, an ethnic, blue-collar neighborhood. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs from different ethnic backgrounds. The members of the Sharks from Puerto Rico are taunted by the Jets, a Polish-American working-class group The young protagonist, Tony, one of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre. Bernstein's score for the musical includes "Something's Coming", "Maria", "America", "Somewhere", "Tonight", "Jet Song", "I Feel Pretty", "A Boy Like That", "One Hand, One Heart", "Gee, Officer Krupke", and "Cool". West Side Story was first presented in 1957 on Broadway and later made into a film in 1961. The 1958 European premiere at the Manchester Opera House transferred to London, where it opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in the West End on Friday December 12, 1958 and ran until June 1961 with a total of 1,039 performances. It was co-choreographed by Peter Gennaro, with scenery by Oliver Smith. George Chakiris won an Academy Award as Bernardo in the 1961 film version.