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Brian C. Alford Jr.
July 13, 2008
West Side Story
The Barn Theatre 10150 E. Michigan Ave., Galesburg, MI

Two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks are battling for turf in New York. The Jets, (a white gang) led by Riff, don’t like that the Puerto Ricans have intruded into their neighborhood. The Sharks, (a Puerto Rican gang) led by Bernardo, dislike and don’t trust the whites. In the midst of the gang rivalry develops a love between Maria (Bernardo’s sister) and Tony (Riff’s best friend and a member of the Jets trying to pull away). After a dance the two gangs decide to battle it out for control of the turf they both are pursuing. Out of love for Maria, Tony decides to try to stop the battle, first by making a clear-cut fist fight, and then at the actual time of battle trying to talk both gangs out of the fight altogether. He fails in his attempt as the battle ensues. Bernardo stabs and kills Riff. An angry Tony responds by “mistakenly” stabbing and killing Bernardo. He realizes his mistake and begs Maria to forgive him, which she does. They plan to leave all the madness behind and take a bus to the country. Maria begs Anita (Bernardo’s girlfriend) to go to Doc’s candy shop and tell Tony that she will be a little late. When Anita gets there she is met by the remaining members of the Jets. She tries to explain that she has an important message for Tony but is attacked by the Jets. After being attacked she announces that Maria is dead, killed by Chino (member of the Sharks). Doc over hears and relays the news to Tony. Feeling as though his life without Maria is pointless, Tony looks for Chino in hopes that he will kill him too. As soon as Tony sees that Maria is alive Chino shoots Tony and he dies in Maria’s arms. Maria takes the gun from Chino and says that now she can kill because hatred killed Tony and now she too has hatred. She can’t make herself fire the gun and then collapses back unto Tony. Both...