Semester Test

“All of the arts, poetry, music, ritual, the visible arts, the theater, must singly and together create the most comprehensive art of all, a humanized society, and its masterpiece, free man” --Bernard Berenson

I believe that Berenson speaks truely of what the theatre and by extension musicals are all about. I believe as Berenson does that the arts are very beneficial not only to society as a whole, but to each individual, and their soul. In my mind I see the arts as an imprisioned meleody, that soars upwards towards the roofs of our souls, only to be silenced by the cold reality of logic. In the world there must be people that are willing to protect that meleody from the stark reality that surrounds them. Musicals are a good example of that beautifully artistic meleody. I have always been able to connect with A West Side Story by Ernest Lehman and Arthur Laurents in a very personal way.

Westside story is the award winning production of the classic and famous romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliette. The feuding families in Shakespears play become two warring New York City gangs- the white Jets led by Riff and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. The gangs hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of peace or understanding. But when Riff's best friend and former Jet Tony, and Bernardo's younger sister Maria meet at a dance, no one can do anything to stop their love. The attraction to each other is undeniable and fully embodies "love at first sight". With opposition from both sides, Tony and Maria begin meeting secretly and their love grows deeper. The two star crossed lovers plan to run away together. Then the Skarks and Jets plan a rumble under the highway - whoever wins gets control of the streets. Maria begs Tony to go and try to stop it, hoping he can end the violence. The rumble goes terribly wrong, and before the lovers know what's happened, tragedy strikes. Bernardo kills Riff, and in a fit of grief, Tony kills Bernardo. Blissfully unaware of what has happened, Maria waits for Tony after the fight. Another Shark, Chino, who loves her, appears, worn out from the fight. Without thinking, Maria desperately demands to know what has happened to Tony, accidently betraying her feelings. An enraged Chino tells Maria that Tony killed her brother, then storms off. Tony arrives as the reality of what has happened sinks in for Maria. She lashes out at Tony, who desperately tells her what happened, and begs her to forgive him before he goes to the police. Maria knows that in spite of everything, she still loves Tony and begs him to stay with her. With their reafirmed love, Tony and Maria make hurried plans to meet at Doc's store, and run away together. Maria's best friend Anita walks in as Tony is leaving. Anita begs Maria to think logically, to see reason. When Maria refuses to change her choice, Anita tells Maria about Chino searching for Tony with a gun. A policeman come to ask about the rumble and with Maria detained, she sends Anita to go to Doc's store and tell Tony she has been detained from meeting him. When Anita
arrives at Doc's, the Jets jump her. In anger, Anita delivers the wrong message. She says Maria is dead, shot by Chino for loving Tony. When Doc breaks the news to Tony, he leaves the shop in despair. Tony then runs through the streets shouting for Chino and begging him to kill him too. Later, Tony meets Maria on her way to Doc's. As he is running towards her, Chino come out from the shadows and shoots Tony. Tony dies in Marias arms. The Jets and Sharks hear the gun shot and come running. After everyone arrives and sees what has happened, Maria blames them all for Tony's death. The musical ends with the Jets and Sharks working together to carry Tony's body out.

Since the first time I saw West Side Story, I saw a dirrect connection to the musical The Sound of Music. I saw this because both musicals are centered around to people who arent "ment" to be together. Just as in West Side Story, Maria and Captain Vontrap are star-crossed lovers, their relationship looked down upon by society. In both musicals the lovers come from very different backgrounds and have to fight against their worlds and their very natures to be together. Both musicals also have great tragedies that are tinged with small rays of hope. In the Sound of Music the Natzis are invading Austria and Captain Vontrap has been ordered to join Hitlers navy. But in the end, the Captain, Maria and the Captains seven children escape over the mountains. The viewers are left with hope that the Captain, Maria, and the children will have a better future and that Austria will be free again someday.

I love the dianamic plot of the West Side Story musical. Its twist and turns keep the audience guessing. I also love all of Shakespears work and am up for anything mirroring that mirrors his great masterpieces. I also love that no matter the impossible odds or terrible tragedies, love always endures in the end. Some aspects that I dislike are for one the ending. It always breaks my heart that Tony and Maria build up this beautiful love for each other, and then it is ripped from them. I want so badly for them to have each other to hold in the end. Even though I know what is coming, I always find myself hoping that Tony and Maria will have a happy ever after.

In conclusion, West Side Story is an epic rendition of Shakespears most beloved romance. I absolutely love the music, choriography, costumes, and characters. I believe that the underling lesson from this musical is that we should follow and trust our hearts, no matter what. That love is never easy, but is worth more than the world in the end. That we should look for that person that completes our picture, that lights up our skies,and proves that God gives true gifts. I will end with this quote: “Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky his is to have you.... The one who turns to his friends and says, 'that's her.'”