"The kids have nothing, nothing. They own nothing - they have no room to exist - to be - to breathe...
They own nothing and are treated as nothing - constant noise - constant fighting - under constant pressure.
Like war prisoners in a concentration camp."
- Jerome Robbins: 'Notes on the context of West Side Story'
The 1950's. New York City. Racial tensions. The American Dream. Hate. Love. West Side Story, arguably the most successful and most popular musical in history, is undoubtedly thematically complex. Its definition: a musical that occurs in 1950's New York, during a time in which the racial tensions between the Puerto Ricans and the Americans has reached an all time high. Within this chaotic world, two lovers - one Puerto Rican, one American - find each other and, despite the disapproval of their family and friends, attempt to find a place where their love may thrive.
While this definition of West Side Story may serve well as a synopsis, it is hardly what the musical is about. Given the complexities of such a musical, it is expected that the answer to its core are just as complex. The answer, however, is rather simple. West Side Story is about kids. Kids placed in an extraordinary situation, forced to grow up before their time.
What you will experience tonight is not only one of the greatest musicals of all time. You will experience one of the greatest musicals of all time performed solely by kids. The crew, from the lights to the set you see built before you - all kids. The pit, playing some of the most difficult music - kids. Their conductor: eighteen years old. The producer: twenty years old. The entire design staff, from the set designer to the vocal director to the assistant director: all under the age of twenty five years old. As for myself: twenty years old. Here before you is not only one of the greatest and most difficult shows in musical theatre, it is the greatest and most difficult show put on entirely by an all-youth company. Here before you are kids - kids placed in an extraordinary situation, putting on the most extraordinary of all shows.
Nathaniel P. Claridad