What are the names of the gangs in the musical West Side Story?
The gangs in the musical West Side Story were the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. The Jets are from Manhattan. They have ruled their “turf” for years, after defeating the Emeralds. The Sharks are from Puerto Rico. They have just recently come to NY, and want a “turf” of their own. Based in New York’s West Side/Hell’s Kitchen in the mid-1950s, the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The young protagonist, Tony, who belongs to the American gang, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the rival Puerto Rican gang’s leader. (“Maria, I just met a girl named Ma-ri-ahhhhh!” Great music!) The American Jets gang included: * Tony, The co-founder of the Jets * Riff, The leader of the Jets * Action, easily angered & excited * Diesel, toughest of the gang, tall and muscular * A-Rab, the weary one of the gang * Baby John, the youngest of the Jets, A-Rab’s best friend, very sensitive * Big Deal, hangs around with Diesel a lot
Act 1 Two teenage gangs, the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, struggle for control of the neighbourhood, amidst police whistles and taunts (Prologue). They are warned by Lt. Schrank and Sgt. Krupke to stop fighting on their beat. The police chase the Sharks off, then the Jets plan how they can assure their continued dominance of the street. The Jets’ leader, Riff, suggests setting up a rumble with the Sharks. He plans to make the challenge to Bernardo, the Sharks’ leader, that night at the neighbourhood dance. Riff wants to convince his friend and former member of the Jets, Tony, to meet the Jets at the dance but some of the Jets are unsure of his loyalty (“Jet Song”). Riff meets Tony while he’s working at Doc’s Drugstore to persuade him to come. Loyal to Riff, Tony agrees, but he wants no further part of gang life and imagines a better future (“Something’s Coming”). Maria works in a bridal shop with Anita, the girlfriend of her brother, Bernardo. Maria’s family has selected
