West Side Story

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West Side Story

Music: Leonard Bernstein

Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Book: Arthur Laurents

Premiere: Thursday, September 26, 1957

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WEST SIDE STORY was first presented by Robert E. Griffith and

Harold S. Prince, by arrangement with Roger L. Stevens, at the

Winter Garden, New York City, September 26, 1957, with the

following cast:

      THE JETS

RIFF, the leader-Mickey Calin

TONY, his friend-Larry Kert

ACTION-Eddie Roll

A-RAB-Tony Mordente

BABY JOHN-David Winters

SNOWBOY-Grover Dale

BIG DEAL-Martin Charnin

DIESEL-Hank Brunjes

GEE-TAR-Tommy Abbott

MOUTHPIECE-Frank Green

TIGER-Lowell Harris

      THEIR GIRLS

GRAZIELLA-Wilma Curley

VELMA-Carole D'Andrea

MINNIE-Nanette Rosen

CLARICE-Marilyn D'Honau

PAULINE-Julie Oser

ANYBODYS-Lee Becker

      THE SHARKS

BERNARDO, the leader-Ken Le Roy

MARIA, his sister-Carol Lawrence

ANITA, his girl-Chita Rivera

CHINO, his friend-Jamie Sanchez

PEPE-George Marcy

INDIO-Noel Schwartz

LUIS-Al De Sio

ANXOIUS-Gene Gavin

NIBBLES-Ronnie Lee

JUANO-Jay Norman

TORO-Erne Castaldo

MOOSE-Jack Murray

      THEIR GIRLS

ROSALIA-Marilyn Cooper

CONSUELO-Reri Grist

TERESITA-Carmen Guiterrez

FRANCISCA-Elizabeth Taylor

ESTELLA-Lynn Ross

MARGARITA-Liane Plane

      THE ADULTS

DOC-Art Smith

SCHRANK-Arch Johnson

KRUPKE-William Bramley

GLAD HAND-John Harkins

      ACT ONE

            PROLOGUE: THE MONTHS BEFORE

5:00 P.M., The Street

5:30 P.M., A Back Yard

6:00 P.M., A Bridal Shop

10:00 P.M., The Gym

11:00 P.M., A Back Alley

MIDNIGHT, The Drugstore

THE NEXT DAY

9:15 P.M., The Bridal Shop

6:00 to 9:00 P.M., The Neighborhood

9:00 P.M., Under the Highway

ACT TWO

9:15 P.M., A Bedroom

10:00 P.M., Another Alley

11:30 P.M., The Bedroom

11:40 P.M., The Drugstore

11:50 P.M., The Cellar

MIDNIGHT, The Street

MUSICAL NUMBERS

      ACT ONE

PROLOGUE, Danced by the Jets and Shark

JET SONG, Riff and Jets

SOMEHING'S COMING, Tony

THE DANCE AT THE GYM

MARIA, Tony

TONIGHT, Tony and Maria

AMERICA, Anita, Rosalia, and Shark Girls

COOL, Riff and the Jets

ONE HAND, ONE HEART, Tony and Maria

TONIGHT (Quintet and Chorus), Company

THE RUMBLE, Riff, Bernardo, Jets and Sharks

      ACT TWO

I FEEL PRETTY, Maria, Rosalia, Teresita, Francisca

SOMEWHERE, Danced by Company; Sung by Consuelo

GEE, OFFICER KRUPKE, Action, Snowboy, and Jets

A BOY LIKE THAT, Anita and Maria

I HAVE A LOVE, Anita and Maria

TAUNTING, Anita and the Jets

FINALE, Company

ACT I

SCENE ONE

5:00 P.M. The Street.

      A suggestion of city streets and alleyways: a brick wall.

      The opening is musical: half-danced, half-mimed, with

occasional phrases of dialogue. It is primarily a condensation of

the growing rivalry between two teen-age games, the Jets and the

Sharks, each of which has its own prideful uniform. The boys -

sideburned, long-haired- are vital, restless, sardonic; the

Sharks are Puerto Ricans, the Jets an anthology of what is called

"American."

      The action begins with the Jets in possession of the are:

owning, enjoying, loving their "home." Their leader is Riff:

glowing, driving, intelligent, slightly wacky. His lieutenant is

Deisel: big, slow, steady, nice. The youngest member of the gang

is Baby John: awed at everything including that he is a Jet,

trying to act the big man. His buddy is A-rab: an explosive

little ferret who enjoys everything and understands the

seriousness of nothing. The most aggressive is Action: a catlike

ball of fury. We will get to know these boys better later, as

well as Snowboy: a bespectacled self-styled expert.

      The first interruption of the Jets' sunny mood is the

sharply punctuated entrance of the leader of the Sharks,

Bernardo: handsome proud, fluid, a chip on his sardonic shoulder.

The Jets, by far in the majority, flick him off. He returns with

other Sharks: they, too, are flicked off. But the numerical

supremacy, the strength of the Jets, is gradually being

threatened. The beginnings of warfare are mild at first: a boy

being tripped up, or being sandbagged with a flour sack or even

being spit on -all with overly elaborate apologies.

      Finally, A-rab comes across the suddenly deserted area,

pretending to be an airplane. There is no sound as he zooms along

in fancied flight. Then over the wall drops Bernardo. Another

Shark, another and another appear, blocking A-rab's panicky

efforts at escape. They close in, grab him, pummel him, as a

Shark on top of the wall is stationed as lookout. Finally,

Bernardo bends over A-rab and makes a gesture (piercing his ear);

the lookout whistles; Jets tear on, Sharks tear on, and a free-

for-all breaks out. Riff goes at once to A-rab, like a protective

father. The fight is stopped by a police whistle, louder and

louder, and the arrival of a big goonlike cop, Krupke, and a

plainclothesman, Schrank. Schrank is strong, always in command;

he has a charming, pleasant manner, which he often employs to

cover his venom and his fear.

      KRUPKE

Knock it off! Settle down.

      SCHRANK

All right: Kill each other! ...But not on my beat.

      RIFF [such innocence]

Why if it isn't Lieutenant Schrank.

      SEVERAL JETS [dancing class manners]

To of the day, Lieutenant Schrank.

      BERNARDO [one with Riff]

And Officer Krupke!

      SEVERAL SHARKS

Top of the day, Officer Krupke.

      SCHRANK

Boy, what you Puerto Ricans have done to this neighborhood. Which

one of 'em clobbered ya, A-rab?

      [A-rab looks to Riff, who takes over with great helpful

seriousness.]

      RIFF

As a matter of factuality, sir, we suspicion the job was done by

a cop.

      SNOWBOY

Two cops.

      A-RAB

Oh, at least!

      KRUPKE

Impossible!

      SCHRANK

Didn't nobody tell ya there's a difference between bein' a stool

pigeon and cooperatin' with the law?

      RIFF

You told us the difference, sir. And we all chipped in for a

prize for the first guy who can figure it out.

      ACTION [indicating Schrank]

Maybe buddy boy should get the prize.

      SCHRANK

Don't buddy me, Action! I got a hot surprise for you: you

hoodlums don't own the streets. There's been too much raiding

between you and the PRs. All right, Bernardo, get your trash outa

here. [Mock Charm.] Please.

      BERNARDO

Let's go, Sharks.                                          [They

exit.]

      SCHRANK [to Jets]

If I don't put down the roughhouse, I get put down -on a traffic

corner. Your friends don't like traffic corners. So you buddy

boys are gonna play ball with me. I gotta put up with them and so

do you. You're gonna make nice with them PRs from now on. Because

otherwise I'm gonna beat the crap outa every one of ya and then

run ya in. Say good-bye to the nice boys, Krupke.

      KRUPKE

Good-bye, boys.                                   [He follows

Schrank out.]

      SNOWBOY [imitating Krupke]

Good-bye, boys.

      A-RAB

They make a very nice couple.

      ACTION [bitterly]

You hoodlums don't own the streets.

      SNOWBOY

Go play in the park!

      ACTION

Keep off the grass!

      BABY JOHN

Get outa the house!

      ACTION

Keep off the block!

      A-RAB

Get outa here!

      ACTION

Keep off the world! A gang that down own a street is nuthin'!

      RIFF

WE DO OWN IT! Jets -square off! Acemen: [Diesel, Action and

Snowboy line up at attention] Rocketmen: [three others line up]

Rank-and-file:

      [Sheepishly, A-rab trudges into position, Baby John behind

him.]

      BABY JOHN [shocked, to A-rab]

Gee, your ear's got blood on it!

      A-RAB [proudly]

I'm a casual, Baby John.

      BABY JOHN [examining the ear]

Them PRs! They branded you!

      SNOWBOY

That makes you a Puerto Rican tomato. Cha-cha-cha, señorita?

      RIFF

Cut the frabbajabba. Which one of the Sharks did it?

      A-RAB

Bernardo. 'Cause I heard him say: "Thees ees for stink-bombin' my

old man's store." [He makes the same gesture Bernardo made when

he pierced his ear.]

      BABY JOHN

Ouch!

      ACTION

You shoulda done worse. Them PRs're the reason my old man's gone

bust.

      RIFF

Who says?

      ACTION

My old man says.

      BABY JOHN [to A-rab]

My old man says his old man woulda gone bust anyway.

      ACTION

Your old man says that?

      BABY JOHN

My old man says them Puerto Ricans is ruinin' free ennaprise.

      ACTION

And what're we doin' about it?

[Pushing through the game comes a scrawny teen-age girl, dressed

in an outfit that is a pathetic attempt to imitate that of the

Jets. Perhaps we have glimpsed her in the fracas before the

police am e in. Her name is Anybodys.]

      ANYBODYS

Gassin', crabbin'-

      ACTION

You still around?

      ANYBODYS

Listen I was a smash in that fight. Oh, Riff, Riff, I was murder!

      RIFF

Come on, Anybodys-

      ANYBODYS

Riff, how about me getting' in the gang now?

      A-RAB

How about the gang gettin' in -ahhh, who'd wanta!

      ANYBODYS

You cheap beast! [She lunges for A-rab, but Riff pulls her off

and pushes her out.]

      RIFF

The road, little lady, the road. [In a moment of bravado, just

before she goes, Anybodys spits-but cautiously.] Round out! [This

is Riff's summoning of the gang, and they surround him.] We

fought hard for this territory and it's ours. But with those cops

servin' as cover, the PRs can move in right under our noses and

take it away. Unless we speed fast and clean 'em up in one all-

out fight!

      ACTION [eagerly]

A rumble! [A jabbing gesture.] Chung! Chung!

      RIFF

Cool, Action boy. The Sharks want a place, too, and they are

tough. They might ask for bottles of knives or zip guns.

      BABY JOHN

Zip guys... Gee!

      RIFF

I'm not finalizin' and sayin' they will: I'm only sayin' they

might and we gotta be prepared. Now what's your mood?

      ACTION

I say go, go!!

      SNOWBOY

But if they say knives or guns-

      BABY JOHN

I say let's forget the whole thing.

      DIESEL

What do you say, Riff?

      RIFF

I say this turf is small, but it's all we got. I wanna hold it

like we always held it: with skin! But if they say switchblades,

I'll get a switchblade. I say I want the Jets to be Number One,

to sail, to hold the sky!

      DIESEL

Then rev us off. [A punching gesture.] Voom-va voom!

      ACTION

Chung chung!

      A-RAB

Cracko, jacko!

      SNOWBOY

Riga diga dum!

      BABY JOHN

Pam pam!!

      RIFF

OK, buddy boys, we rumble! [General glee.] Now protocality calls

for a war council to decide on weapons. I'll make the challenge

to Bernardo.

      SNOWBOY

You gotta take a lieutenant.

      ACTION

That's me!

      RIFF

That's Tony.

      ACTION

Who need Tony?

Music starts.

      RIFF

Against the Sharks we need every man we got.

      ACTION

Tony don't belong any more.

      RIFF

Cut it, Action boy. I and Tony started the Jets.

      ACTION

Well, he acts like he don't wanna belong.

      BABY JOHN

Who wouldn't wanna belong to the Jets!

      ACTION

Tony ain't been with us for over a month.

      SNOWBOY

What about the day we clobbered the Emeralds?

      A-RAB

Which we couldn't have done without Tony.

      BABY JOHN

He saved my ever lovin' neck.

      RIFF

Right. He's always come through for us and he will now.

[He sings:]

When you're a Jet,

You're a Jet all the way

From your first cigarette

To your last dyin' day.

When you're a Jet,

If the spit hits the fan,

You got brothers around,

You're a family man!

You're never alone,

You're never disconnected!

You're home with your own:

When company's expected,

You're well protected!

Then you are set

With a capital J,

Which you'll never forget

Till they cart you away.

When you're a Jet,

You stay

A Jet!

   [He speaks:]

I know Tony like I know. I guarantee you can count him in.

      ACTION

In, out, let's get crackin'.

      A-RAB

Where you gonna find Bernardo?

      RIFF

At the dance tonight at the gym.

      BIG DEAL

But the gym's neutral territory.

      RIFF [sweet innocence]

I'm gonna make nice there! I'm only gonna challenge him.

      RIFF

Great, Daddy-O!

      A-RAB

So everybody dress up sweet and sharp. Meet Tony and me at them.

And walk tall!

[He runs off.]

      A-RAB

We always talk tall!

      BABY JOHN

We're Jets!

      ACTION

The greatest!

        [He sings with Baby John:]

When you're a Jet,

You're the top cat in town,

You're the gold-metal kid

With the heavyweight crown!

                                                   [A-rab,

Action, Big Deal sings:]

When you're a Jet,

You're the swingin'est thing.

Little boy, you're a man;

Little man, you're a king!

                                                                

              [All:]

The Jets are in gear,

Our cylinders are clickin'!

The Sharks'll steer clear

'Cause ev'ry Puerto Rican

'S a lousy chicken!

Here come the Jets     

Like a bat out of hell-

Someone gets in our way,

Someone don't feel so well.

Here come the Jets:

Little world, step aside!

Better go underground,

Better run, better hide.

We're drawin' the line,

So keep your noses hidden!

We're hangin' a sign,

Says "Visitors forbidden"-

And we ain't kiddin'!

Here come the Jets,

Yeah! An' we're gonna beat

Ev'ry last buggin' gang

On the whole buggin' street!

      [Diesel and Action.]

On the whole

      [All:]

Ever-!

Mother-!

Lovin'-!

Street!

The Lights Black Out

      SCENE TWO.

5:30 P.M. A back yard.

      On a small ladder, a good-looking sandy-haired boy is

painting a vertical sign that will say: "Doc's." Below, Riff is

haranguing.

      RIFF

Riga tiga tum tum. Why not? ...You can't say ya won't, Tony boy,

without sayin' why not?

      RIFF

Because it's me askin': Riff. Womb to tomb!

      TONY

Sperm to worm! [Surveying the sign.] You sure this looks like

skywritin'?

      RIFF

It's brilliant.

      TONY

Twenty-seven years the boss has had that drugstore. I wanna

surprise him with a new sign.

      RIFF [shaking the ladder.]

Tony, this is important!

      TONY

Very important: Acemen, Rocketmen.

      RIFF

What's with you? Four and one-half year I live with a buddy and

his family. Four and one-half years I think I know a man's

character. Buddy boy, I am a victim of disappointment in you.

      TONY

End your sufferin', little man. Why don't you pack up your gear

and clear out?

      RIFF

'Cause your ma's hot for me. [Tony grabs his arms and twists it.]

No! 'Cause I hate livin' with my buggin' uncle uncle UNCLE!

      [Tony releases him and climbs back up the ladder.]

      TONY

Now go play nice with the Jets.

      RIFF

The Jets are the greatest!

      TONY

Were.

      RIFF

Are. You found something' better?

      TONY

No, But-

      RIFF

But what?

      TONY

You won't dig it.

      RIFF

Try me.

      TONY

OK... Every single damn night for the last month, I wake up-and

I'm reachin' out.

      RIFF

For what?

      TONY

I don't know. It's right outside the door, around the corner. But

it's comin'!

      RIFF

What is? Tell me!

      TONY

I don't know! It's-like the kick I use to get from bein' a Jet.

      RIFF [quietly]

...Or from bein buddies.

      TONY

We're still buddies.

      RIFF

The kick comes from the people, buddy boy.

      TONY

Yea, but not from a Jet.

      RIFF

No? Without a gang you're an orphan. With a gang you walk in

two's three's four's. And when your gang is the best, when you're

a Jet, buddy boy, you're out in the sun and home free home!

      TONY

Riff, I've had it. [Pause.]

      RIFF

Tony, the trouble is large: The Sharks bite hard! We got to stop

them now, and we need you! [Pause. Quietly.] I never asked the

time of a day from a clock, but I'm askin' you: Come to the dance

tonight... [Tony turns away.] ...I already told the gang you'd be

there.

      TONY [after a moment, turns to him with a grin]

What time?

      RIFF

Ten?

      TONY

Ten it is.

      RIFF

Womb to tomb!

      TONY

Sperm to worm! And I'll live to regret this.

      RIFF

Who knows? Maybe what you're waitin' for'll be twitchin' at the

dance!

[He runs off.]

      TONY

Who knows?

[Music starts and he sings:]

Could be!...

Who knows?...

There's something due any day;

I will know right away,

Soon as it shows.

It may come cannon-balling down thru the sky,

Gleam in its eye,

Bright as a rose!

Who knows?...

It's only just out of reach,

Down the block, on a beach,

Under a tree...

I got a feeling there's a miracle due,

Gonna come true,

Coming to me!

Could it be? Yes it could.

Something's coming, something good,

If I can wait!

Something's coming, I don't know what it is,

But it is

Gonna be great!

With a click, with a shock,

Phone'll jingle, door'll knock,

Open the latch!

Something's coming, don't know when but it's soon-

Catch the moon,

One-handed catch!

Around the corner,

Or whistling down the river,

Come on-deliver

To me!

Will it be? Yes, it will.

Maybe just by holding still,

It'll be there!

Come on something, come on in,

don't be shy,

Meet a guy,

Pull up a chair!

The air is humming,

And something great is coming!

Who knows?

It's only just out of reach,

Down the block, on a beach...

Maybe tonight...

The Lights Dim

      SCENE THREE.

6:00 P.M. A bridal shop.

      A small section, enough to include a table with sewing

machine, a chair or two. Anita, A Puerto Rican girl with loose

hair and slightly flashy clothes, is finishing remaking what was

a white communion dress into a party dress for an extremely

lovely, extremely young girl: Maria. Anita is knowing, a sexual,

sharp. Maria is an excited, enthusiastic, obedient child, with

the temper, stubborn strength and awareness of a woman.

      MARIA [holding out scissors]

Por favor, Anita. Make the neck lower!

      ANITA

Stop it, Maria.

      MARIA

One inch. How much can one little inch do?

      ANITA

Too much.

      MARIA [exasperated]

Anita, it is now to be a dress of dancing, no longer for kneeling

in front of an altar.

      ANITA

With those boys you can start in dancing and end up kneeling.

      MARIA

Querida, one little inch; uno poca poca-

      ANITA

Bernardo made me promise-

      MARIA

Ai! Bernardo! One month have I been in this country-do I ever

even touch excitement? I sew all day, I sit all night. For what

did my fine brother bring me here?

      ANITA

To marry Chino.

      MARIA

When I look at Chino, nothing happens.

      ANITA

What do you expect to happen?

      MARIA

I don't know: something. What happens when you look at Bernardo?

      ANITA

It's when I don't look at him that it happens.

      MARIA

I think I will tell Mama and Papa about you and 'Nardo in the

balcony of the movies.

      ANITA

I will rip this to shreds!

      MARIA

No. But you perhaps could manage to lower the neck-

      ANITA

Next year.

      MARIA

Next year I will be married an no one will care if its down to

here!

      ANITA

Down to where?

      MARIA

Down to here. [Indicates her waist.] I hate this dress!

      ANITA

Then don't wear it and don't come to the dance.

      MARIA [shocked]

Don't come! [Grabs the dress.] Could we not dye it red, at least?

      ANITA

No, we could not. [She starts to help Maria into the dress.]

      MARIA

White is for babies. I will be the only one there in a white-

      ANITA

Well???

      MARIA

Ahhhh-sí! It is a beautiful dress: I love you!

[As she hugs Anita, Bernardo enters, followed by a shy, gentle

sweet-faced boy: Chino.]

BERNARDO

Are you ready?

      MARIA

Come in, 'Nardo. [Whirls in the dress.] Is it not beautiful?

      BERNARDO [looking only at Maria's face]

Yes. [Kisses her.] Very.

      ANITA

I didn't quite hear...

      BERNARDO [kissin Anita quite differently.]

Very beautiful.

      MARIA

      [watches them a second, then turns to Chino]

Come in, Chino. Do not be afraid.

      CHINO

But this is a shop for ladies.

      BERNARDO

Our ladies!

      MARIA

'Nardo, it is most important that I have a wonderful time at the

dancing tonight.

      BENARDO [as Anita hooks up Maria]

Why?

      MARIA

Because tonight is the real beginning of my life as a young lady

of America!

      [She begins to whirl in the dress as the shop slides off

and a flood of gaily colored streamers pours down. As Maria

begins to turn and turn, going off-stage. Sharks girls, dressed

for the dance whirl on, followed by Jet girls. By boys from both

gangs. The streamers fly up again for the next scene.]

      SCENE FOUR.

10:00 P.M. The gym.

      Actually, a converted gymnasium of a settlement house, at

the moment being used as a dancehall, disguised for the occasion

with streamers and bunting.

      Both gangs are jitterbugging wildly with their bodies, but

their faces, although they are enjoying themselves, remain cool,

almost detached. The line between the two gangs is sharply

defined by the colors they wear: the Jets, girls as well as boys,

reflecting the colors of the Jets jackets; the same is true of

the Sharks. The dancing is a physical and emotional release for

these kids.

      Maria enters with Chino, Bernardo and Anita. As she looks

around, delighted, thrilled by this, her first dance, the Jets

catch sight of Bernardo, who is being greeted by Pepe, his

lieutenant, and other Sharks. As the music peters away, the Jets

withdraw to one side of the hall, around Riff. The Sharks, seeing

this, draw to their side, around Bernardo, who starts-with his

lieutenants-to meet him. The moment is brief but it would be

disastrous if a smiling, overly cheerful young man of about

thirty did not hurry forward. He is called Glad Hand, and he is a

"square."

      GLAD HAND [beaming]

All right, boys and girls! Attention, please! [Hum of talk.]

Attention! [Krupke appears behind Glad Hand: the talk stops.]

Thank you. It sure is fine turnout tonight. [Ad libs from the

kids.] We want to make friends here, so we're going to have a few

get-together dances. [Ad libs: "Oh, ginger peachy," ect.] You

form two circles: boys on the outside and girls on the inside.

      SNOWBOY

Where are you?

      GLAD HAND [tries to laugh at this]

All right. Now when the music stops, each boy dances with

whichever girl is opposite. O.K.? O.K. Two circles, kids.  [The

kids clap their hands back at him and ad lib: "Two circles,

kids," ect., but do not move.] Well, it won't hurt you to try.

      SNOWBOY [limping forward]

Oh, it hurts; it hurts; it-

      [Krupke steps forward. Snowboy straightens up and meekly

returns to his place. Riff steps forward and beckons to his girl,

Velma. She is terribly young, sexy, lost in a world of jive. She

slithers forward to take her place with Riff. The challenge is

met by Bernardo, who steps forward, leading Anita as though he

were presenting the most magnificent lady in all the world. The

other kids follow, forming the two circles Glad Hand requested.]

      GLAD HAND

That's it, kids. Keep the ball rolling. Round she goes and where

she stops, nobody knows. All right: here we go!

[Promenade music starts and the circles start revolving. Glad

Hand, whistles to this mouth, is in the center with Krupke. He

blows the whistle and the music stops, leaving the Jet boys

opposite Sharks girls, and vice versa. There is a moment of

tenseness, then Bernardo reaches across the Jet girl opposite for

Anita's hand, and she comes to him. Riff reaches for Velma; and

the kids of both gangs follow suit. The "get-together" has

failed, and each gang is on its own side of the hall as a mambo

starts. This turns into a challenge dance between Bernardo and

Anita-cheered on by the Sharks-and Riff and Velma-cheered on by

the Jets. During it, Tony enters and is momentarily embraced by

Riff, who is delighted that his best friend did turn up. The

dance builds wilder and wilder, until, at the peak, everybody is

dancing and shouting. "Go, Mambo!" It is at this moment that Tony

and Maria-at opposite sides of the hall-see each other. They have

been cheering on their respective friends, clapping in rhythm.

Now, as they s

      TONY

You're not thinking I'm someone else?

      MARIA

I know you are not.

      TONY

Or that we have met before?

      MARIA

I know we have not.

      TONY

I felt, I knew something-never-before was going to happen, had to

happen. But this is-

      MARIA [interrupting]

My hands are cold. [He takes them in his.] Yours, too. [He moves

her hand to his face.] So warm. [She moves his hands to her

face.]

      TONY

Yours, too.

      MARIA

But of course. They are the same.

      TONY

It's so much to believe-you're not joking me?

      MARIA

I have not yet learned how to joke that way. I think now I never

will.

[Impulsively, he stops to kiss her hands; then tenderly,

innocently, her lips. The music bursts out, the lights flare up,

and Bernardo is upon them in an icy rage.]

      BERNARDO

Go home, "American."

      TONY

Slow down, Bernardo.

      BERNARDO

Stay away from my sister!

      TONY

...Sister?

[Riff steps up.]

      BERNARDO [to Maria]

Couldn't you see he's one of them?

      MARIA

No; I saw only him.

      BERNARDO [as Chino comes up]

I told you; there's one thing they want from a Puerto Rican girl!

      TONY

That's a lie!

      RIFF

Cool, boy.

      Chino [to Tony]

Get away.

      TONY

You keep out, Chino. [To Maria:] Don't listen to them!

      BERNARDO

She will listen to brother before-

      RIFF [overlapping]

If you characters want to settle-

      GLAD HAND

Please! Everything was going so well! Do you fellows get pleasure

out of making trouble? Now come on-it won't hurt you to have a

good time.

[Music starts again. Bernardo is on one side with Maria and

Chino; Anita joins them. Tony is on the other with Riff and

Diesel. Light emphasizes the first group.]

BERNARDO

I warned you-

      CHINO

Do not yell at her, 'Nardo.

      BERNARDO

You yell at babies.

      ANITA

And put ideas in the baby's head.

      BERNARDO

Take her home, Chino.

      MARIA

'Nardo, it is my first dance.

      BERNARDO

Please. We are family, Maria. Go.

[Maria hesitates, then starts out with Chino as the light follows

her to the other group, which she passes.]

      RIFF [to Diesel, indicating Tony happily]

I guess the kid's with us for sure now.

      [Tony doesn't even hear; he is starting at Maria, who stops

for a moment.]

      CHINO

Come, Maria.

[They continue out.]

      TONY

Maria...

      [He is unaware that Bernardo is crossing toward him, but

Riff intercepts.]

      BERNARDO

I don't want you.

      RIFF

I want you, though. For a war council-Jets and Sharks.

      BERNARDO

The pleasure is all mine.

      RIFF

Let's go outside.

      BERNARDO

I would not leave the ladies here alone. We will meet you in half

an hour.

      RIFF

Doc's drugstore? [Bernardo nods.] And no jazz before then.

      BERNARDO

I understand the rules-Native Boy.

      [The lights is fading on them, on everyone but Tony.]

      RIFF

Spread the word, Diesel.

      DIESEL

Right, Daddy-o.

      RIFF

Let's get the chicks and kick it. Tony?

      TONY

Maria...

[Music stars.]

      RIFF [in darkness]

Tony!

      DIESEL [in darkness]

Ah, we'll see him at Doc's.

      TONY [speaking dreamily over the music-he is now standing

alone in the light]

The most beautiful sound I ever heard.

      VOICES [off stage:]

Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria...

       TONY

All the beautiful words of the world in a single word:

      VOICES [off stage:]

Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria...

[Swelling in intensity.]

      TONY

Maria!

I've just met a girl named Maria,

And suddenly that name

Will never be the same

To me.

Maria!

I've just kissed a girl named Maria,

And suddenly I've found

How wonderful a sound

Can be!

Maria!

Say it loud and there's music playing-

Say it soft and it's almost like praying-

Maria...

I'll never stop saying

Maria!

The most beautiful sound I ever heard.

Maria

      CHORUS [offstage, against Tony's obbligato:]

I've just met a girl named Maria,

And suddenly that name

Will never be the same

To me.

Maria-

I've just kissed a girl named Maria,

And suddenly I've found

How wonderful a sound

Can be!

      TONY

Maria-

Say it loud and there's music playing-

Say it soft and it's almost like praying-

Maria-

I'll never stop saying Maria!

The most beautiful sound I ever heard-

Maria.

[During the song, the sate behind Tony has gone dark; by the time

he has finished, it is set for the next scene.]

      SCENE FIVE.

11:00 P.M. A back alley.

      A suggestion of buildings; a fire escape climbing to the

rear window of an unseen flat.

      As Tony sings, he looks for where Maria lives, wishing for

her. And she does appear, at the window above him, which opens

onto the fire escape. Music stays beneath most of the scene.

      TONY [sings:]

Maria, Maria...

      MARIA

Ssh!

      TONY

Maria!

      MARIA

Quiet!

      TONY

Come down.

      MARIA

No.

      TONY

Maria...

      MARIA

Please. If Bernardo-

      TONY

He's at the dance. Come down.

      MARIA

He will soon bring Anita home.

      TONY

Just for a minute.

      MARIA [smiles]

A minute is not enough.

      TONY [smiles]

For an hour then.

      MARIA

I cannot.

      TONY

Forever!

      MARIA

Ssh!

      TONY

Then I'm coming up.

      WOMAN'S VOICE [from the offstage apartment]

Maria!

      MARIA

Momentito, Mama...

      TONY [climbing up]

Maria, Maria-

      MARIA

Cállate! [Reaching her hand out to stop him.] Ssh!

      TONY [grabbing her hand]

Ssh!

      MARIA

It is dangerous.

      TONY

I'm not "one of them."

      MARIA

You are; but to me, you are not. Just as I am one of them-[she

gestures toward the apartment.]

      TONY

To me, you are all the-

      [She covers his mouth with her hand.]

      MAN'S VOICE [from the unseen apartment]

Maruca!

      MARIA

Sí, ya vengo, Papa.

      TONY

Maruca?

      MARIA

His pet name for me.

      TONY

I like him. He will like me.

      MARIA

No. He is like Bernardo: afraid. [Suddenly laughing.] Imagine

being afraid of you!

      TONY

You see?

      MARIA [touching his face]

I see you.

      TONY

See only me.

      MARIA [sings:]

 Only you, you're the only thing I'll see forever.

In my eyes, in my words and in everything I do,

Nothing else but you

Ever!

      TONY

And there's nothing for me but Maria,

Every sight that I see is Maria.

      MARIA

Tony, Tony...

      TONY

Always you , every thought I'll ever know,

Everywhere I go, you'll be.

      MARIA

All the world is only you and me!

      [And now the buildings, the world fade away, leaving them

suspended in space.]

Tonight, tonight,

It all began tonight,

I saw you and the world went away.

Tonight, tonight,

There's only you tonight,

What you are, what you do, what you say.

      TONY

Today, all day I had the feeling

A miracle would happen-

I know now I was right.

For here you are

And what was just a world is a star

Tonight!

      BOTH

Tonight, tonight,

The world is full of light,

With suns and moons all over the place.

Tonight, tonight,

The world is wild and bright,

Going mad, shooting stars into space.

Today the world was just an address,

A place for me to live in,

No better than all right,

But here you are

And what was just a world is a star

Tonight!

      MAN'S VOICE [offstage]

Maruca!

      MARIA

Wait for me! [She goes inside as the buildings begin to come back

into place.]

      TONY [sings]

Tonight, tonight,

It all began tonight,

I saw you and the world went away.

      MARIA [returning]

I cannot stay. Go quickly!

      TONY

I'm not afraid.

      MARIA

They are strict with me. Please.

      TONY [kissing her]

Good night.

      MARIA

Buenos noches.

      TONY

I love you.

      MARIA

Yes, yes. Hurry. [He climbs down.] Wait! When will I see you? [He

starts back up.] No!

      TONY

Tomorrow.

      MARIA

I work at the bridal shop. Come there.

      TONY

At sundown.

      MARIA

Yes. Good night.

      TONY

Good night. [He starts off.]

      MARIA

Tony!

      TONY

Ssh!

      MARIA

Come to the back door.

      TONY

Si. [Again he starts out.]

      MARIA

Tony! [He stops. A pause.] What does Tony stand for?

      TONY

Anton.

      MARIA

Te adoro, Anton.

      TONY

Te adoro, Maria.

[Both sing as music starts again:]

Good night, good night,

Sleep well and when you dream,

Dream of me

Tonight.

[She goes inside; He ducks out into the shadows just as Bernardo

and Anita enter, followed by Indio, and Pep and their girls. One

is a bleached-blond, bangled beauty: Consuelo. The other, more

quietly dressed, is Rosalia. She is not too bright.]

      BERNARDO [Looking up to the window.]

Maria?

      ANITA

She also has a mother. Also a father.

      BERNARDO

They do not know the country any better than she does.

      ANITA

You do not know it all! Girls here are free to have fun. She-is-

in-America-now.

      BERNARDO [exaggerated]

But Puerto-Rico-is-in-America-now!

      ANITA [in disgust]

Ai!

      BERNARDO [cooing]

Anita Josefina Teresita-

      ANITA

It's plain Anita now-

      BERNARDO [continuing through]

-Beatriz del Carmen Margarita, etcetera, etcetera-

      ANITA

Immigrant!

      BERNARDO [pulling her to him]

Thank God, you can't change your hair!

      PEPE [fondling Consuelo's bleached mop]

Is that possible?

      CONSUELO

In the U.S.A., everything is real.

      BERNARDO [to Chino, who enters]

Chino, how was she when you took her home?

      CHINO

All right. 'Nardo, she was only dancing.

      BERNARDO

With an "American." Who is really a Polack.

      ANITA

Says the Spic.

      BERNARDO

You are not so cute.

      ANITA

That Tony is.

      ROSALIA

And he works.

      CHINO

A delivery boy.

      ANITA

And what are you?

      CHINO

An assistant.

      BERNARDO

Sí! And Chino makes half what the Polack makes-the Polack is

American! [A burlesque oration in mock Puerto Rican accent.

Bernardo starts the first line with her.] The mother of Tony was

born in Poland; the father still goes to a night school. Tony was

born in America, so that makes him an American. But us?

Foreigners!

      PEPE and CONSUELO

Lice!

      PEPE, CONSUELO, ANITA

Cockroaches!

      BERNARDO

Well, it is true! You remember how we were when we first came!

Did we even think of going back?

      BERNARDO and ANITA

No! We came ready, eager-

      ANITA [mocking]

With our hearts open-

      CONSUELO

Our arms open-

      PEPE

You came with your pants open.

      CONSUELO

You did, pig! [Slaps him.] You'll go back with handcuffs!

      BERNARDO

I am going back with a Cadillac!

      CHINO

Air-conditioned!

      BERNARDO

Built-in bar!

      CHINO

Telephone!

      BERNARDO

Television!

      CHINO

Compatible color!

      BERNARDO

And a king-sized bed. [Grabs Anita.] Come on.

      ANITA [mimicking]

Come on.

      BERNARDO

Well, are you or aren't you?

      ANITA

You have your big, important war council. The council or me?

      BERNARDO

First one, then the other.

      ANITA [breaking away from him]

I am an American girl now. I don't wait.

      BERNARDO [to Chino]

Back home, women know their place.

      ANITA

Back home, little boys don't have war councils.

      BERNARDO

You want me to be an American? [To the boys.] Vámonos, chicos, Es

tarde. [A mock bow.] Buenos noches, Anita Josefina del Carmen,

etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

[He exits with the boys.]

      ROSALIA

That's a very pretty name: Etcetera.

      ANITA

Ai!

      CONSUELO

She means well.

      ROSALIA

We have many names at home.

      ANITA [mimicking]

At home, at home. If it's so nice "at home," why don't you go

back there?

      ROSALIA

I would like-[A look from Anita.]-just for a successful visit.

[She sings nostalgically:]

Puerto Rico...

You lovely island...

Island of tropical breezes.

Always the pineapples growing,

Always the coffee blossoms blowing...

      ANITA

Puerto Rico...

You ugly island...

Island of tropic diseases.

Always the hurricanes blowing,

Always the population growing...

And the money owing,

And the babies crying,

And the bullets flying.

I like the island Manhattan-

Smoke on your pipe and put that in!

[all, except Rosalia:]

I like to be in America!

OK by me in America!

Everything free in America

For a small fee in America!

      ROSALIA

I like the city of San Juan-

      ANITA

I know a boat you can get on.

      ROSALIA

Hundreds of flowers in full bloom-

      ANITA

Hundreds of people in each room!

[all except Rosalia:]

Automobile in America,

Chromium steel in America,

Wire-spoke wheel in America-

Very big deal in America-

      ROSALIA

I'll drive a Buick to San Juan-

      ANITA

If there's a road you can drive on.

      ROSALIA

I'll give my cousin a free ride-

      ANITA

How you get all of them inside?

[all except Rosalia:]

An immigrant goes to America,

Many hellos in America;

Nobody knows in America

Puerto Rico's in America.

[The girls whistle and dace.]

      ROSALIA

When will I go back to San Juan-

      ANITA

When you will shut up and get gone!

      ROSALIA

I'll give them new washing machine-

      ANITA

What have they got there to keep clean?

[all except Rosalia:]

I like the shores of America!

Comfort is yours in America!

Knobs on the doors in America,

Wall-to-wall floors in America!

[They whistle and dance.]

      ROSALIA

I'll bring TV to San Juan

      ANITA

If there's a current to turn on.

      ROSALIA

Everyone there will get big cheer!

      ANITA

Everyone there will have moved here!

[The song ends in a joyous dance.]

The Lights Black Out.

      SCENE SIX.

Midnight. The drugstore.

      A suggestion of a run-down, musty general store which, in

cities, is called a drugstore. A door leading to the street

outside; another leading to the cellar below.

      Baby John is reading a comic book; A-rab is playing

solitaire; Anybodys is huddled by the jukebox: Action is watching

the street door. The atmosphere is tense, jumpy. Action slams the

door and strides to the dart board.

      ACTION

Where the devil are they? Are we havin' a war council tonight or

ain't we? [He throws a dart savagely.]

      BABY JOHN

He don't use knives. He don't even use an atomic ray gun.

      A-RAB

Superman. Gee, I love him.

      SNOWBOY

So marry him.

      ANYBODYS

I ain't never gonna get married: too noisy.

      A-RAB

You ain't never gonna get married: too ugly.

      ANYBODYS ["shooting" him]

Pow pow!

      A-RAB

Cracko, jacko! [Clutching his belly, he spins to the floor.] Down

goes a teen-age hoodlum.

      BABY JOHN

Could a zip gun make you do like that?

[A second of silence. Then Snowboy slams into the room and they

all jump.]

      ACTION

What the hell's a matter with you?

      SNOWBOY

I got caught sneakin' outa the movies.

      A-RAB

Sneakin' out? Whadd'ya do that for?

      SNOWBOY

I sneaked in.

      ACTION

A ware council comin' up and he goes to the movies.

      ANYBODYS

And you let him be a Jet!

      BABY JOHN

Ah, go walk the streets like ya sister.

      ANYBODYS [jumping him]

Lissen, jail bait, I licked you twice and I can do it again.

[From the doorway behind the counter a little middle-aged man

enters: Doc.]

      DOC

Curfew, gentlemen. And lady. Baby John, you should be home in

bed.

      BABY JOHN

We're gonna have a ware council here, Doc.

      DOC

A who?

      A-RAB

To decide on weapons for a big-time rumble!

      SNOWBOY

We're gonna mix with the PRs.

      DOC

Weapons. You couldn't play basketball?

      ANYBODYS

Get with it, buddy boy.

      DOC

War councils-

      ACTION

Don't start, Doc.

      DOC

Rumbles...

      ACTION

Doc-

      DOC

Why, when I was your age-

      ACTION

When you was my age; when my old man was my age; when my brother

was my age! You was never my age, none a you! The sooner you

creeps get a hip to that, the sooner you'll dig us.

      DOC

I'll dig you early graves, that's what I'll do.

      A-RAB

Dig, dig, dig-

      DOC

What're you gonna be when you grow up?

      ANYBODYS [wistfully.]

A telephone call girl!

[The store doorbell tinkles as Riff enters with Velma.]

      SNOWBOY

Riff, hey!

      ACTION

Are they comin'?

      RIFF

Unwind, Action. Hey, Doc, Tony here?

      DOC

No, Riff, it's closing time.

      ACTION [to Riff]

What d'ya think they're gonna ask for?

      A-RAB

Just rubber hoses, maybe, huh?

      RIFF

Cool, little men. Easy, freezy cool.

      VELMA

Oo, oo, ooblee-oo.

      [Diesel enters with a would-be grand number: Graziella.]

      DIESEL

They're comin' any minute now!

      ACTION

Chung chung!

      A-RAB

Cracko, jacko!

      VELMA

Ooblee-oo.

      RIFF [sharply]

Cool!

      ANYBODYS

Riff-in a tight spot you need every man you-

      RIFF

No.

      GRAZIELLA [indicating Anybodys to Velma]

An American tragedy.

      ANYBODYS ["shooting" to her]

Pow.

      GRAZIELLA

Poo.

      VELMA

Ooblee-pooh.

[They giggle.]

      RIFF

Now when the victims come in, you chicks cut out.

      GRAZIELLA

We might, and then again, we might not.

      DIESEL

This ain't kid stuff, Graziella.

      GRAZIELLA

I and Velma aint kid stuff, neither. Are we, Vel?

      VELMA

No thank you-oo, ooblee-oo.

      GRAZIELLA

And you can punctuate it?

      VELMA

Ooo!

[They giggle again.]

      ACTION [to Riff]

What're we poppin' around with dumb broads?

      GRAZIELLA

I and Velma ain't dumb!

      ACTION

We got important business comin'

      DOC

Makin' trouble for the Puerto Ricans?

      SNOWBOY

They make trouble for us.

      DOC

Look! He almost laughs when he says it. For you, trouble is a

relief.

      RIFF

We've got to stand up to the PRs, Doc. It's important.

      DOC

Fighting over a little piece of the street is so important?

      ACTION

To us, it is.

      DOC

To hoodlums, it is. [He goes out through the cellar doorway as

Action lunges for him.]

      ACTION

Don't you call me hoodlum!

      RIFF [holding him]

Easy, Action! Save your steam for the rumble.

      A-RAB

He don't want what we want, so we're hoodlums!

      BABY JOHN

I wear a jacket like my buddies, so my teacher calls me hoodlum!

      ACTION

I swear, the next creep who calls me hoodlum-

      RIFF

You'll laugh! Yeah. Now you all better dig this and dig it the

most. No matter who or what is eatin' at you, you show it, buddy

boys, and you are dead. You are cuttin' a hole in yourselves for

them to stick in a red-hot umbrella and open it. Wide. You wanna

live? You play it cool.

[Music starts.]

      ACTION

I wanna get even!

      RIFF

Get cool.

      A-RAB

I wanna bust!

      RIFF

Bust cool.

      RIFF

Go cool!

Boy, boy, crazy boy-

      Get cool, boy!

Got a rocket in your pocket-

      Keep coolly cool, boy!

      Don't get hot,

      'Cause, man, you got

      Some high times ahead.

      Take it slow and, Daddy-o,

      You can live it up and die in bed!

Boy, boy, crazy boy-

      Stay loose, boy!

Breeze it, buzz it, easy does it-

      Turn off the juice, boy!

      Go man, go,

      But not like a yo

      Yo school boy-

      Just play it cool, boy.

Real cool!

Easy, Action.

Easy.

[This leads into a frenetic dance in which the boys and girls

release their emotions and get "cool." It finishes, starts again

when a Jet bounces in with the gang whistle. Everyone but Riff

and Velma stops dancing. A moment, then Bernardo, Chino, Pepe and

Indio enter. The tinkle of the doorbell brings a moment longer.

Then he pats Velma on her behind. Followed by Graziella, she runs

out, slithering past the Sharks. Anybodys is back, huddled by the

jukebox, but Riff spots her. He gives him a pleading let-me-stay

look, but he gestures for her to go. Unlike the other girls, as

she exits, Anybodys shoves the Sharks like a big tough man.]

      RIFF

Set 'em up, Doc. Cokes all around.

      BERNARDO

Let's get down to business.

      RIFF

Bernardo hasn't learned the procedures of gracious livin'.

      BERNARDO

I don't like you, either. So cut it.

      RIFF

Kick it, Doc.

      DOC

Boys, couldn't you maybe all talk it-

      RIFF

Kick it!

      [Do goes out. The two gangs take places behind their

leaders.]

      RIFF

We challenge you to a rumble. All out, once and for all. Accept?

      BERNARDO

On what terms?

      RIFF

Whatever terms you're callin', buddy boy. You crossed the line

once too often.

      BERNARDO

You started it.

      RIFF

Who jumped A-rab this afternoon?

      BERNARDO

Who jumped me the first day I moved here?

      RIFF

Who asked you to moved here?

      BERNARDO

Who asked you?

      SNOWBOY

Move where you're wanted!

      A-RAB

Back where ya came from!

      ACTION

Spics!

      PEPE

Micks!

      INDIO

Wop!

      BERNARDO

We accept!

      RIFF

Time:

      BERNARDO

Tomorrow?

      RIFF

The river.

      BERNARDO

Under the highway.

[They shake.]

      RIFF

Weapons!

      BERNARDO

Weapons...

      RIFF

You call.

      BERNARDO

You're challenge.

      RIFF

Afraid to call?

      BERNARDO

...Sticks.

      RIFF

...Rocks.

      BERNARDO

...Poles.

      RIFF

...Cans.

      BERNARDO

...Bricks.

      RIFF

...Bats.

      BERNARDO

...Clubs.

      TONY

Bottles, knives, guns! [They stare.] What a coop full of

chickens!

      BERNARDO

Every dog knows his own.

      TONY

I'm callin' all of you chicken. The big touch buddy boys have to

throw bricks! Afraid to get close in? Afraid to slug it out?

Afraid to use plain skin?

      BABY JOHN

Not even garbage?

      ACTION

That ain't ruble.

      RIFF

Who says?

      BERNARDO

You said call weapons.

      TONY

A rumble can be clinched by a fair fight. If you have the guts to

risk that. Best man from each gang to slug it out.

      BERNARDO [looking at Tony]

I'd enjoy to risk that. O.K.! Fair fight!

      PEPE

What?

      ACTION [simultaneously]

No!

      RIFF

The commanders say yes or no. [To Bernardo.] Fair fight.

[They shake.]

      BERNARDO [To Tony.]

In two minutes you will be like a fish after skinnin'.

      RIFF

Your best man fights our best man-and we pick him.

[Claps Diesel on the shoulder.]

      BERNARDO

But I thought it would be-

      RIFF

We shook on it, Bernardo.

      BERNARDO

Yes. I shook on it.

      ACTION [quickly]

Look, Bernardo, if you wanna change your mind, maybe we could

all-

[One of the Jets near the door suddenly whistles. Instantly, they

shift positions so they are mixed up, no segregation. Silence;

then in comes Schrank. During the following, the gangs are

absolutely silent and motionless, unless otherwise indicated.]

Good evening, Lieutenant Schrank. I and Tony was just closing up.

      SCHRANK [lifting a pack of cigarettes]

Mind?

      DOC

I have no mind. I am the village idiot.

      SCHRANK [lighting a cigarette]

I always make it a rule to smoke in the can. And what else is a

room with half-breeds in it, eh, Riff? [Bernardo's move is

checked by Riff. Schrank speaks again, pleasantly.] Clear out,

Spics. Sure; it's a free country and I ain't got the right. But

it's a country with laws: and I can find the right. I got the

badge, you got the skin. It's tough all over. Beat it! [A second.

Then Riff nods once to Bernardo, who nods to his gang. Slowly,

they file out. Bernardo starts to whistle "My Country 'Tis of

Thee" as he exits proudly. His gang joins in, finishing a

sardonic jazz lick offstage. Schrank, still pleasant.] From their

angle, sure. Say, where's the rumble gonna be? Ah, look: I know

regular American don't rub with the gold=teeth otherwise. The

river? The park? [Silence.] I'm for you. I want this beat cleaned

up and you can do it for me. I'll even lend a hand if it gets

rough. Where ya gonna rumble? The playground? Sweeney's lot?

[Angered by the silence.] Ya think I'm a lousy stool pigeon? I

wanna help ya get r

[He exits.]

      DOC [indicating Schrank]

Wouldn't give me a mouth like his.

      TONY

Forget him. From here on in, everything goes my way. [He starts

to clean up, to turn out the lights.]

      DOC

You think it'll really be a fair fight.

      TONY

Yeah.

      DOC

What have you been takin' tonight?

      TONY

A trip to the moon. And I'll tell you a secret. It isn't a man

that's up there, Doc. It's a girl, a lady. [Opens the door.]

Buenos noches, señor.

      DOC

Buenos noches?! So that's why you made it a fair fight. [Tony

smiles.] ...Tony... things aren't tough enough?

      TONY

Tough? Doc, I'm in love.

      DOC

How do you know?

      TONY

Because... there isn't any other way I could feel.

      DOC

And you're not frightened?

      TONY

Should I be?

[He opens door, exits.]

      DOC

Why? I'm frightened enough for both of you. [He turns out the

last light.]

The Stage is Dark.

      SCENE SEVEN.

5:30 P.M. The next day. The bridal shop.

      Hot late-afternoon sun coloring the workroom. One or two

sewing machines. Several dressmaker dummies, male and female, in

bridal-party garb.

      Maria in a smock is hand-sewing a wedding veil as Anita

whirls in whipping off her smock.

      ANITA

She's gone! The old bag of a bruja has gone!

      MARIA

Bravo!

      ANITA

The day is over, the jail is open, home we go!

      MARIA

You go, querida. I will lock up.

      ANITA

Finish tomorrow. Come!

      MARIA

I am in no hurry.

      ANITA

I am. I'm going to take a bubble bath all during supper: Black

Orchid.

      MARIA

You will not eat?

      ANITA

After the rumble-with 'Nardo.

      MARIA [sewing angrily]

That rumble, why do they have it?

      ANITA

You saw how they dance: like they have to get rid of something,

quick. That's how they fight.

      MARIA

To get rid of what?

      ANITA

Too much feeling. And they get rid of it: after a fight, that

brother of yours is so healthy! Definitely: Black Orchid.

         [There is a knock at the rear door, and Tony enters.]

      TONY

Buenas noches!

      ANITA [sarcastically to Maria]

You go, querida. I will look up. [To Tony:] It's too early for

noches. Buenos tardes.

      TONY [bows]

Gracias. Buenas tardes.

      MARIA

He just came to deliver aspirin.

      ANITA

You'll need it.

      TONY

No, we're out of the world.

      ANITA

You're out of your heads.

      TONY

We're twelve feet in the air.

      MARIA [gently taking his hand]

Anita can see all that. [To Anita:] You will not tell?

      ANITA

Tell what? How can I hear what goes on twelve feet over my head?

[Opens door. To Maria:] You better be home in fifteen minutes.

[She goes out.]

      TONY

Don't worry. She likes us!

      MARIA

But she is worried.

      TONY

She's foolish. We're untouchable; we are in the air; we have

magic!

      MARIA

Magic is also evil and black. Are you going to that rumble?

      TONY

No.

      MARIA

Yes.

      TONY

Why??

      MARIA

You must go and stop it.

      TONY

I have stopped it! It's only a fist fight. 'Nardo won't get-

      MARIA

Any fight is not good for us.

      TONY

Everything is good for us and we are good for everything.

      MARIA

Listen and hear me. You must go and stop it.

      TONY

Then I will.

      MARIA [surprised]

Can you?

      TONY

You don't want even a fist fight? There won't be any fight.

      MARIA

I believe you! You do have magic.

      TONY

Of course, I have you. You go home and dress up. Then tonight, I

will come by for you.

      MARIA

You cannot come by. My mama...

      TONY [after a pause]

Then I will take you to my house-

      MARIA [shaking her head]

Your mama...

      [Another awkward pause. Then he sees a female dummy and

pushes is forward.]

      TONY

She will come running from the kitchen to welcome you. She lives

in the kitchen.

      MARIA

Dressed so elegant?

      TONY

I told her you were coming. She will look at your face and try

not to smile. And she will say: Skinny-but pretty.

      MARIA

She is plump no doubt.

      TONY [holding out the waist of dummy's dress]

Fat!

      MARIA [indicating another female dummy]

I take after my mama; delicate-boned. [He kisses her.] Not in

front of Mama! [He turns the dummy around as she goes to a male

dummy.] Oh, I would like to see Papa in this! Mama will make him

ask about your prospects, if you go to church. But Papa-Papa

might like you.

      TONY [kneeling to the "father" dummy]

May I have your daughter's hand?

      TONY

Gracias!

      MARIA

And your mama?

      TONY

I'm afraid to ask her.

      MARIA

Tell her she's not getting a daughter; she's getting rid of a

son!

      TONY

She says yes.

      MARIA

She has good taste. [She grabs up the wedding veil and puts it on

as Tony arranges the dummies.]

      TONY

Maid of honor!

      MARIA

That color is bad for Anita.

      TONY

Best man!

      MARIA

That is my papa!

      TONY

Sorry, Pap. Here we go, Riff: Womb to Tomb! [He takes hat off

dummy.]

      MARIA

Now you see, Anita, I told you there was nothing to worry about.

[Music starts as she leaves the dummy and walks up to Tony. They

look at each other-and the ply acting vanishes. Slowly,

seriously, they turn front, and together kneel as before an

altar.]

      TONY

I, Anton, take thee Maria...

      MARIA

I, Maria, take thee Anton...

      TONY

For richer, for poorer...

      MARIA

In sickness and in health...

      TONY

To love and to honor...

      MARIA

To hold and to keep...

      TONY

From each sun to each moon...

      MARIA

From tomorrow to tomorrow...

      TONY

For now to forever...

      MARIA

Till death do us part.

      TONY

With this ring, I thee wed.

      MARIA

With this ring, I thee wed.

      TONY [sings]

Make of our hands one hand,

Make of our hearts one heart,

Make of our vows one last vow:

Only death will part us now.

      MARIA

Make of our lives one life,

Day after day, one life.

      BOTH

Now it begins, now we start

One hand, one heart-

Even death won't part us now.

[They look at each other, then at the reality of their "game."

They smile tenderly, ruefully, and slowly put the dummies back

into position. Though brought back to earth, they continue to

sing.]

Make of our lives one life,

Day after day, one life.

Now it begins, now we start

One hand, one heart-

Even death won't part us now.

[Very gently, he kisses her hand.]

The Lights Fade Out.

      SCENE EIGHT.

6:00 P.M. The neighborhood.

      Spotlights pick out Riff and the Jets, Bernardo and the

Sharks, Anita, Maria and Tony against small sets representing

different places in the neighborhood. All are waiting expectantly

for the coming of night, but for very different reasons.

      JETS [sings]

The Jets are gonna have their day

Tonight.

      SHARKS

The Sharks are gonna have their way

Tonight.

      JETS

The Puerto Rican grumble,

Fair fight.

But if they start a rumble,

We'll rumble 'em right.

      SHARKS

We're gonna hand 'em a surprise

Tonight.

      JETS

We're gonna cut 'em down to size

Tonight.

      SHARKS

We said, "O.K., no rumpus,

No tricks"-

But just in case they jump us,

We're ready to mix

Tonight!

      BOTH GANGS

We're gonna rock it tonight,

We're gonna jazz it up and have us a ball.

They're gonna get it tonight;

The more they turn it on, the harder they'll fall!

      JETS

Well, they began it-

      SHARKS

Well, they began it-

      BOTH GANGS

And we're the ones to stop 'em once and for all,

Tonight!

      ANITA

Anita's gonna get her kicks

Tonight.

We'll have our private little mix

Tonight.

He'll walk in hot and tired,

So what?

Don't matter if he's tired,

As long as he's hot

Tonight!

      TONY

Tonight, tonight,

Won't be just any night,

Tonight there will be no morning star.

Tonight, tonight,

I'll see my love tonight

And for us, stars will stop where they are.

Today

The minutes seem like hours,

The hours go so slowly,

And still the sky is light...

Oh moon, grow bright,

And make this endless day endless night!

      RIFF [to Tony]

I'm counting on you to be there

Tonight

When Diesel wins it fair and square

Tonight.

That Puerto Rican punk'll

Go down.

And when he's hollered Uncle

We'll tear up the town

Tonight!

      MARIA

Tonight, tonight

Won't be just any night...

         [She reprises the same chorus Tony has just sung.]

      RIFF

So I can count on you, boy?

      TONY

All right...

[Regretting his impatience.]

Womb to tomb!

      RIFF

Sperm to worm!

I'll see you there about eight...

      TONY

Tonight...

      BERNARDO and SHARKS

We're gonna rock it tonight!!!

      ANITA

Tonight...

      [All have been singing at once, reprising the choruses they

sang before.]

      BERNARDO and SHARKS

We're gonna jazz it tonight

They're gonna get it tonight-tonight.

They began it-they began it

And we're the ones

To stop 'em once and for all!

The Sharks are gonna have their way,

The Sharks are gonna have their day,

We're gonna rocks it tonight-

Tonight!

      ANITA

Tonight,

Late tonight,

We're gonna mix it tonight.

Anita's gonna have her day,

Anita's gonna have her day,

Bernardo's gonna have his way

Tonight-tonight.

Tonight-this very night,

We're gonna rock it tonight,

Tonight!

      RIFF and JETS

They began it.

They began it.

We'll stop 'em once and for all

The Jets are gonna have their day,

The Jets are gonna have their way,

We're gonna rock it tonight.

Tonight!

      MARIA

Tonight there will be no morning star.

Tonight, tonight, I'll se my love tonight.

When we kiss, stars will stop where they are.

      TONY and MARIA

Today the minutes seem like hours.

The hours go so slowly,

And still the sky is light.

Oh moon, grow bright,

And make this endless day endless night,

Tonight!

[The lights build with the music to the climax, and then blackout

at the final exultant note.]

      SCENE NINE.

9:00 P.M. Under the highway.

      A dead end: rotting plaster-and-brick walls and mesh wire

fences. A street lamp.

      It is nightfall. The almost-silhouetted gangs come in from

separate sides: climbing over the fences or crawling through

holes in the walls. There is silence as they fan out on opposite

sides of the cleared space. Then Bernardo and Diesel remove their

jackets, handing them to their second: Chino and Riff.

BERNARDO

Ready.

      CHINO

Ready!

      DIESEL

Ready! Come center and shake hands.

      BERNARDO

For what?

      RIFF

That's how it's done, buddy boy.

      BERNARDO

More gracious living? Look: I don't go for that pretend crap you

all go for in this country. Every one of you hates every one of

us, and we hate you right back. I don't drink with nobody I hate,

I don't shake hands with nobody I hate. Let's get at it.

      RIFF

OK.

      BERNARDO [moving toward center]

Here we go.

[Diesel begins to move toward him. There are encouragements

called from each sides. The "fair fight" is just beginning when

there is an interruption.]

      TONY

Hold it! [He leaps over a fence and starts toward Bernardo.]

      RIFF

Get with the gang.

      TONY

No.

      RIFF

What're you doing?

      BERNARDO

Maybe he has found the guts to fight his own battles.

      TONY [smiling]

It doesn't take guts if you have a battle. But we haven't got

one, 'Nardo. [He extends his hand for Bernardo to shake it.

Bernardo knocks the hand away and gives Tony a shove that sends

him sprawling.]

      BERNARDO

Bernardo.

      RIFF [quiet, strong]

The deal is a fair fight between and Diesel. [To Tony, who has

gotten up:] Get with the gang.

[During the following, Bernardo flicks Tony's shirt, pushes his

shoulder, pinches his cheek.]

BERNARDO [To Tony.]

I'll give you a battle, Kiddando.

      DIESEL

You've got one.

      BERNARDO

I'll take pretty boy on as a warm-up. Afraid, pretty boy? Afraid,

chicken? Afraid, gutless?

      RIFF

Cut that-

      TONY

I don't want to, Bernardo...

      BERNARDO

I'm sure.

      TONY

Bernardo, you've got it wrong.

      BERNARDO

Are you chicken?

      TONY

You won't understand!

      BERNARDO

What d'ya say, chicken?

      ACTION

Get him, Tony!

      BERNARDO

He is chicken.

      DIESEL

Tony-

      A-RAB

Get him!

      TONY

Bernardo, don't.

      BERNARDO

Don't want, pretty little chicken?

      RIFF

Tony, don't just stand-

      BERNARDO

Yellow-bellied chicken-

      RIFF

TONY!

      ACTION

Murder him!

      SNOWBOY

Kill him!

      BERNARDO

Come on, you yellow-bellied Polack bas-

[He never finishes, for Riff hauls off and hits him. Immediately,

the two gangs alert, and the following action takes on the form

of a dance. As Bernardo reels back to his feet, he reaches for

his back pocket. Riff reaches for his back pocket, and at the

same instant each forth a gleaming knife. They jockey for

position, feinting, dueling; the two gangs shift position, now

and again temporarily obscuring the fighters. Tony tries to get

between them.]

      RIFF

Hold him!

[Diesel and Action grab Tony and hold him back. The fight

continues. Riff loses his knife, is passed another by a Jet. At

last, he has Bernardo in a position where it seems that he will

be able to run him through. Tony breaks from Diesel and, crying

out, moves to stop Riff.]

      TONY

Riff, don't! [Riff hesitates a moment; the moments is enough for

Bernardo-whose hand goes forward with a driving motion, running

his knife into Riff. Tony leaps forward to catch Riff. He breaks

his fall, then takes the knife in hand, leaps at the triumphant

Bernardo. All this happens terribly fast; and Tony rams his knife

into Bernardo. The free-for-all continues a moment longer. Then

there is a sharp police whistle. Everything comes to a dead stop-

dead silence. Then a distant police siren: the kids waver, run

one way, another, in panic, confusion. As the stage is cleared,

Tony stands, horrified, over the still bodies of Riff and

Bernardo. He bends over Riff's body; then he rolls Bernardo's

body over-and stares. Then Tony raises his voice in an anguished

cry.]

MARIA!

[Another police whistle, closer now, but he doesn't move. From

the shadows, Anybodys appears. She scurries to Tony and tugs at

his arm. A siren, another whistle, then a searchlight cuts across

the playground. Anybodys' insistent tugging brings Tony to the

realization  of the danger. He crouches, starts to run with her

to one escape way. She reaches it first, goes out-but the

searchlight hits it just as he would go through. He stops, runs

the other way. He darts here, there, and finally gets away as a

distant clock begins to boom.]                                  

          The Curtain Falls.

WEST SIDE STORY

      ACT II

9:15 P.M. A bedroom.

      Part of a parlor is also visible. The bedroom as a window

opening onto the fire escape, a bed on a wall, a small shrine to

the Virgin, and a curtained doorway, rear. There is a door

between the bedroom and the parlor.

      Gay music for Consuelo, who is examining herself in the

mirror, and for Rasolia, who is on the bed, finishing her nails.

      CONSUELO

This is my last night as a blonde.

      ROSALIA

No loss.

      CONSUELO

Again! The fortune-teller told Pepe a dark lady was coming into

his life.

      ROSALIA

So that's why he's not taking you out after the rumble!

[The music becomes festively, humorously Spanish as Maria enters

through the curtained doorway. She is finishing getting very

dressed up.]

      MARIA

There is not going to be a rumble.

      ROSALIA

Another fortune-teller.

      CONSUELO

Where is Chino escorting you after the rumble-that-is-not-going-

to-be-a-rumble?

      MARIA

Chino is escorting me no place.

      ROSALIA

She is just dolling for us. Gracias, querida.

      MARIA

No, not for you. Can you keep a secret?

      CONSUELO

I'm not for secrets!

      MARIA

Tonight is my wedding night!

      CONSUELO

The poor thing is out of her mind.

      MARIA

I am: crazy!

      ROSALIA

She might be at that. She looks somehow different.

      MARIA

I do?

      ROSALIA

And I think she is up to something tonight.

      MARIA

I am?

      CONSUELO

I do? I am? What is going on with you?

      MARIA [sings]

I feel pretty,

Oh so pretty,

I feel pretty and witty and bright,

And I pity Any girl who isn't me tonight.

I feel charming,

Oh so charming,

It's alarming how charming I feel,

And so pretty That I hardly can believe I'm real.

See the pretty girl in that mirror there:

Who can that attractive girl be?

Such a pretty face,

Such a pretty dress,

Such a pretty smile,

Such a pretty me!

I feel stunning

And entrancing,

Feel like running and dancing for joy,

For I'm loved

By a pretty wonderful boy!

      ROSALIA and CONSUELO

Have you met my good friend Maria,

The craziest girl on the block?

You'll know her the minute you see her,

She's the one who is in an advanced state of shock.

She thinks she's in love.

She thinks she's in Spain.

She isn't in love,

She's merely insane.

It must be the heat

Or some rare disease,

Or too much to eat

Or maybe it's fleas.

Keep away from her,

Send for Chino!

This is not the Maria we know!

Modest and pure,

Polite and refined,

Well-bred and mature,

And out of her mind!

      MARIA

I feel pretty,

Oh so pretty

That the city should give me its key.

A committee

Should be organized to honor me.

I feel dizzy,

I feel sunny,

I feel fizzy and funny and fine,

And so pretty,

Miss America can just resign!

See the pretty girl in that mirror there:

      ROSALIA and CONSUELO

What mirror where?

      MARIA

Who can that attractive girl be?

      ROSALIA and CONSUELO

       Which? What? Where? Whom?

      MARIA

Such a pretty face,

Such a pretty dress,

Such a pretty smile,

Such a pretty me!

      ALL

I feel stunning

And entrancing,

Feel like running and dancing for joy,

For I'm loved

By a pretty wonderful boy!

      CHINO [offstage]

Maria!

      CONSUELO

It's Chino.

      ROSALIA

The happy bridegroom.

      CHINO [closer]

Maria!

      MARIA

Please-

      COSUELO

Yes, little bride, we're going.

[She exits.]

      ROSALIA

They have a quaint old-fashioned custom in this country, Maria:

they get married here before the wedding night. [She follows

Consuelo out as Chino enters from offstage. His clothes are dirty

and torn from the fight. His face is smeared. They shake their

heads at him and flounce out. He closes the outer door.]

      CHINO

Maria...

      MARIA

I'm in here. I was just getting ready to-[She is hurriedly trying

to put a bathrobe over her dress. Chino comes in before she can

finish, so that she leaves it over her shoulders, holding it

closed with her hands.]

      CHINO

Where are your parents?

      MARIA

At the store. If I had known you were-You have been fighting,

Chino.

      CHINO

Yes, I'm sorry.

      MARIA

That is not like you.

      CHINO

No.

      MARIA

Why, Chino?

      CHINO

I don't know why. It happened so fast.

      MARIA

You must wash up.

      CHINO

Maria-

      MARIA

You can go in there.

      CHINO

In a minute. Maria... at the rumble-

      MARIA

There was no rumble.

      CHINO

There was.

      MARIA

You are wrong.

      CHINO

No; there was. Nobody meant for it to happen...

      MARIA

...Tell me.

      CHINO

It's bad.

      MARIA

Very bad?

      CHINO

You see... [he moves to her, helplessly]

      MARIA

It will be easier if you say it very fast.

      CHINO [nods]

There was a fight-[She nods.] And 'Nardo-[She nods.] And somehow

a knife-and 'Nardo someone-[He takes her hand.]

      MARIA

Tony. What happened to Tony? [The name stops Chino. He yanks off

the robe, revealing that she is dressed to go out.] Chino, is

Tony all right?!

      CHINO

He killed your brother. [She walks into the parlor, slamming the

door behind him. A pause.]

      MARIA

You are lying. [Chino has started to leave the parlor, but comes

back now. Swiftly searching behind the furniture, he come up with

a n object wrapped in material the same color as Bernardo's

shirt. From the bedroom, Maria's voice calls out, louder.] You

are lying, Chino! [Coldly, Chino unwraps a gun, which he puts in

his pocket. There is the sound of a police siren at a distance.

He goes out. During this, Maria has knelt before the shrine on

the wall. She rocks back and forth in prayer, some of it in

Spanish, some of it in English.] Make it not be true... please

make it not be true... I will do anything: make me die... Only,

please-make it not be true. [As she prays, Tony appears at the

fire-escape window and quietly climbs in. His shirt is ripped,

half-torn off. He stands still, limp, watching her. Aware that

someone is in the room, she tops her prayers. Slowly, her head

turns; she looks at him for a long moment. Then, almost in one

spring, she in on him, her fists beating his chest.] Killer,

killer, killer,

      TONY

I tried to stop it; I did try. I don't know how it went wrong...

I didn't mean to hurt him; I didn't want to; I didn't know I had.

But Riff... Riff was like my brother. So when Bernardo killed

him-[She lifts her head.] 'Nardo didn't mean it either. Oh, I

don't know he didn't! Oh, no. I didn't come to tell you just for

you to forgive me so I couldn't go to the police-

      MARIA

No!

      TONY

It's easy now-

      MARIA

No...

      TONY

Whatever you want, I'll do-

      MARIA

Stay. Stay with me.

      TONY

I love you so much.

      MARIA

Tighter.

[Music starts.]

      TONY

We'll be all right. I know it. We're really together now.

      MARIA

But it's not us! It's everything around us!

      TONY

Then we'll find some place where nothing can et to us; not one of

them, not anything. And-

[He sings.]

I'll take you away, take you far far away out of here,

Far far away till the walls and the streets disappear,

Somewhere there must be a place we can feel we're free,

Somewhere there's got to be some place for you and for me.

[As he sings, the walls of the apartment begin to move off, and

the city walls surrounding them begin to close in on them. Then

the apartment it self goes, and the two lovers begin to run,

battering against the walls of the city, beginning to break

through as chaotic figures of the gangs, of violence, fail around

them. But they do break through, and suddenly-they are in a world

of space and air and sun. They stop, looking at it, pleased,

startled, as boys and girls both sides come on. And they, too,

stop and stare, happy, pleased. Their clothes are soft and pastel

versions of what they have worn before. They begin to dance, to

play: no sides, no hostility now; join, making a world that Tony

and Maria want to be in, belong to, share their love with. As

they go into the steps of a gentle love dance, a voice is heard

singing.]

      OFFSTAGE VOICE [sings]

There's a place for us,

Somewhere a place for us.

Peace and quiet and open air

Wait for us

Somewhere.

There's a time for us,

Some day a time for us,

Time together with time to spare,

Time to look, time to care,

Someday!

Somewhere.

We'll find a new way of living,

We'll find a way of forgiving

Somewhere,

Somewhere...

There's a place for us,

A time and place for us.

Hold my hand and we're half way there.

Hold my hand and I'll take you there

Someday,

Somehow,

Somewhere!

[The lovers hold out their hands to each other; the others follow

suit: Jets to Sharks; Sharks to Jets. And they form what is

almost a procession winding its triumphant way through this

would-be world, as they sing the words of the song with

wonderment. Then, suddenly, there is a dead stop. The harsh

shadows, the fire escapes of the real, tenement world cloud the

sky, and the figures of Riff and Bernardo slowly walk on. The

dream becomes a nightmare: as the city returns, there are brief

reenactments of the knife fight, of the deaths. Maria and Tony

are once again separated from each other by the violent warring

of the two sides. Maria tries to reach Bernardo, Tony tries to

stop Riff; the lovers try to reach each other, but they cannot.

Chaotic confusion and blackness, after which they find

themselves, back in the bedroom, clinging to each other

desperately. With a blind refusal to face what they know must be,

they reassure each other desperately as they sing.]

      TONY and MARIA

Hold my hand and we're halfway there.

Home my hand and I'll take you there

Someday,

Somehow,

Somewhere!

      [As the lights fade, together they sink back on the bed.]

      SCENE TWO.

10:00  P.M. Another alley.

      A fence with loose boards; angles between buildings.

Softly, from behind the fence, the Jet gang whistles. A pause,

then the answering whistle, softly, from offstage or around a

corner. Now a loose board flips up and Baby John wriggles through

the fence. He whistles again, timidly, and A-rab comes on.

      A-RAB

They got you yet?

      BABY JOHN

No, you?

      A-RAB

Hell, no.

      BABY JOHN

You seen Tony?

      A-RAB

Nobody has.

      BABY JOHN

Geez...

      A-RAB

You been home yet?

      A-RAB

Uh uh.

      A-RAB

Me either.

      BABY JOHN

Just hidin' around?

      A-RAB

Uh huh.

      BABY JOHN

A-rab... did you get a look at 'em?

      A-RAB

Loot at who?

      BABY JOHN

Ya know. At the rumble. Riff and Bernardo.                

      [Pause.]

      A-RAB

I wish it was yesterday.

      BABY JOHN

Wadaya say we run away?

      A-RAB

What's the matter? You scared?

      BABY JOHN

...Yeah.

      A-RAB

You cut it out, ya hear? You're only makin' me scared and that

scares me! [Police whistle. He grabs Baby John.] Last thing ever

is to let a cop know you're scared or anythin'.

      KRUPKE [offstage]

Hey, you two!

      A-RAB

Play it big with the baby blues.

      BABY JOHN [scared]

OK.

      A-RAB [gripping him]

Big, not scare, big!

[Again a whistle. Elaborately casual, they start sauntering off

as Krupke appears.]

      KRUPKE

Yeah, you.

[They stop, so surprised.]

      A-RAB

Why, it is Officer Krupke, Baby John.

      BABY JOHN [quaking]

Top of the evening, Officer Krupke.

      KRUPKE

I'll crack the top of your skulls if you punks don't stop when I

whistle.

      A-RAB

But we stopped the very moment we heard.

      BABY JOHN

We got twenty-twenty hearing.

      KRUPKE

You wanna get hauled down to the station house?

      BABY JOHN

Indeed not, sir.

      KRUPKE

I'll make a little deal. I know you was rumblin' under the

highway-

      BABY JOHN

We was at the playground, sir.

      A-RAB

We like the playground. It keeps us deprived kids off the foul

streets.

      BABY JOHN

It gives us comradeship-

      A-RAB

A place for pleasant pastimes-And for us, born like we was on the

hot pavements-

      KRUPKE

OK, wise apples, down to the station house.

      BABY JOHN

Which way?

      A-RAB

This way! [He gets down on all fours, Baby John pushes Krupke, so

that he tumbles over A-rab. Baby John pushes Krupke, so that he

tumbles over A-rab. Baby John starts off one way, A-rab the

other. Krupke hesitates, then runs after one of them, blowing his

whistle like mad. The moment he is off, A-rab and Baby John

appear through the fence, followed by the other Jets.] Look at

the brass-ass run!

      BABY JOHN

I hope he breaks it!

      ACTION

Get the lead out, fat boy!

      DIESEL

Easy. He'll come back and drag us down the station house.

      ACTION

I already been.

      SNOWBOY

We both already been.

      A-RAB

What happened?

      SNOWBOY

A bit fat nuthin'!

      A-RAB

How come?

      SNOWBOY

Cops believe everythin' they read in the papers.

      ACTION

To them we ain't human. We're cruddy juvenile delinquents. So

that's what we give 'em.

      SNOWBOY [imitating Krupke]

Hey, you!

      ACTION

Me, Officer Krupke?

      SNOWBOY

Yeah, you! Gimme one good reason for not draggin' ya down the

station house, ya punk.

      ACTION

Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke,

You gotta understand,

It's just our bringin' up-ke

That gets us out of hand.

Our mothers all are junkies,

Our fathers all are drunks.

      ALL

Golly Moses, natcherly we're punks!

Gee, Officer Krupke, we're very upset;

We never had the love that every child oughta get.

We ain't no delinquents,

We're misunderstood.

Deep down inside us there is good!

      ACTION

There is good!

      ALL

There is good, there is good,

There is untapped good.

Like inside, the worst of us is good.

      SNOWBOY [imitating Krupke]

That's a touchin' good story.

      ACTION

Lemme tell it to the world!

      SNOWBOY [imitating Krupke] 

Just tell it to the judge.

      ACTION [to Diesel]

Dear kindly Judge, your Honor,

My parents treat me rough.

With all their marijuana,

They won't give me a puff.

They didn't wanna have me,

But somehow I was had.

Leapin' lizards, that's why I'm so bad!

      DIESEL [imitating a judge]

Right!

Officer Krupke, you're really a square;

This boy don't need a judge, he needs an

analyst's care!

It's just his neurosis that oughta be curbed.

He's psychologic'ly disturbed!

      ACTION

I'm disturbed!

      ALL

We're disturbed, we're disturbed,

We're the most disturbed,

Like we're psychologic'ly disturbed.

      DIESEL [speaks, still acting part of the judge]

Hear ye, Hear ye! In the opinion of this court, this child

is depraved on account he ain't had a

normal home.

      ACTION

Hey, I'm depraved on account I'm

deprived!

      DIESEL [as Judge]

So take him to a headshrinker.

      ACTION

My father is a bastard,

My ma's an S.O.B.

My grandpa's always plastered,

My grandma pushes tea.

My sister wears a mustache,

My brother wears a dress.

Goodness gracious, that's why I'm a mess!

      A-RAB [as psychiatrist]

Yes!

Officer Krupke, you're really a slob.

This boy don't need a doctor, just a good honest job.

Society's played him a terrible trick,

And sociologically he's sick!

      ACTION

I am sick!

      ALL

We are sick, we are sick,

We are sick sick sick,

Like we're sociologically sick!

      A-RAB [speaks as psychiatrist]

In my opinion, this child don't need

to have his head shrunk at all. Juvenile

delinquency is purely a social disease!

      ACTION

Hey, I got a social disease!

      A-RAB [as psychiatrist]

So take him to a social worker!

      ACTION [to Baby John]

Dear kindly social worker,

They say go earn a buck,

Like be a soda jerker,

Which means like be a schmuck.

It's not I'm anti-social,

I'm only anti-work.

Glory Osky, that's why I'm a jerk!

      BABY JOHN [as a female social workers]

Eek!

Officer Krupke, you've done it again.

This boy don't need a job, he needs a year in the pen.

It ain't just a question of misunderstood;

Deep down inside him, he's no good!

      ACTION

I'm no good!

      ALL

We're no good, we're no good,

We're no earthly good,

Like the best of us is no damn good!

      DIESEL [as judge]

The trouble is he's crazy,

      A-RAB [as psychiatrist]

The trouble is he drinks.

      BABY JOHN [as social worker]

The trouble is he's lazy.

      DIESEL [as judge]

The trouble is he stinks.

      A-RAB [as psychiatrist]

The trouble is he's grown.

      BABY JOHN [as social worker]

The trouble is he's grown.

      ALL

Krupke, we got troubles of our own!

Gee, Officer Krupke,

We're down on our knees,

'Cause no one wants a fella with a social disease

Gee, Officer Krupke,

What are we to do?

Gee, Officer Krupke,

Krup you!

      [At the end of the song, Anybodys appears over the fence]

      ANYBODYS

Buddy  boys!

      ACTION

Ah! Go wear a skirt.

      ANYBODYS

I got scabby knees. Listen-

      ACTION [to the gang]

Come on, we gotta make sure those PRs know we're on top.

      DIESEL

Geez, Action, ain't we had enough?

      ANYBODYS [going after them]

Wotta buncha Old Man Rivers: they don't know nothin' and they

don't say nuthin'.

      ANYBODYS

Diesel, the question ain't whether we had enough-

      ACTION

What do you know?

      ANYBODYS

I know I gotta get a skirt. [She starts off, but Diesel stops

her.]

      DIESEL

Come on, Anybodys, tell me.

      SNOWBOY

Ah, what's the freak know?

      ANYBODYS

Plenty. I figgered somebody oughta infiltrate PR territory and

spy around. I'm very big with shadows, ya know. I can slip in and

out of 'em like wind through a fence.

      SNOWBOY

Boy, is she ever makin' the most of it!

      ANYBODYS

You be you fat A, I am!

      ACTION

Go on. Wadd'ya hear?

      ANYBODYS

I heard Chino tellin' the Sharks somethin' about Tony and

Bernardo's sister. Then Chino said, "If it's the last thing I do,

I'm going to get Tony."

      ACTION

What'd I tell ya? Them PRs won't stop!

      SNOWBOY

Easy, action!

      DIESEL

It's bad enough now-

      BABY JOHN

Yeah!

      ACTION

You forgettin'? Tony came through for us Jet's We gotta find him

and protect him from Chino.

      A-RAB

Right!

      ACTION

OK then! Snowboy-cover the river! [Snowboy runs off.] A-rab-get

over to Doc's.

      BABY JOHN

I'll take the back alleys.

      ACTION

Diesel?

      DIESEL

I'll cover the park.

      ACTION

Good boy! [He begins to run off.]

      ANYBODYS

What about me?

      ACTION

You? You get a hold of the girls and send 'em out as liaison

runners so we'll know who's found Tony where.

      ANYBODYS

Right! [She starts to run off.]

      ACTION

Hey! [She stops.] You done good, buddy boy.

      ANYBODYS [she has fallen in love]

Thanks, Daddy-o.

[They both run off.]

The Lights Black Out.

      SCENE THREE

11:30 P.M. The bedroom.

      The light is, at first, a vague glow on the lovers, who are

sleep on the bed. From offstage, faint at first, there is the

sound of knocking. It gets louder; Tony stirs. At a distance, a

police siren sounds, and the knocking is now very loud. Tony

bolts upright. Anita comes in from outside and goes to the

bedroom door-which is locked-tries the knob.

      ANITA [holding back tears]

Maria? ... Maria? [Tony is reaching for his shirt, when Maria

sits up. Quickly, he puts his hand, then his lips on her lips.]

Maria, it's Anita. Why are you locked in?

      MARIA

I didn't know it was locked.

      ANITA

Open the door. I need you.

            [Maria reaches for the knob, Tony stops her.]

      MARIA [a whisper]

Now you are afraid, too.

      ANITA

What?

      MARIA [loud]

One moment.

      TONY [whispering]

Doc'll help. I'll get money from him. You meet me at his

drugstore.

      [In the other room, Anita is aware of voices but unsure of

what they are saying.]

At Doc's, yes. [Aloud.] Coming, Anita!

      TONY [kisses her]

Hurry!

[He scrambles out the window as Maria hastily puts a bathrobe on

over her slip. In the other room Anita has stiffened and moved

away from the door. She stands staring at it coldly as Maria

prattles to her through the door.]

      MARIA

Did you see Chino? He was here before, but he left so angry I

think maybe he... [She opens the door and sees Anita's look. A

moment, then Anita pushes her aside: looks at the bed, at the

window, then turns accusingly to Maria.] All right. Now you know.

      ANITA [savagely]

And you still don't know: Tony is one of them!

[She sings bitterly.]

A boy like that who'd kill your brother,

Forget that boy and find another,

One of your own kind-

Stick to your own kind!

A boy like that will give you sorrow-

You'll meet another boy tomorrow!

One of your own kind,

Stick to your own kind!

A boy who kills cannot love,

A boy who kills has no heart.

And he's the boy who gets your love

And gets your heart-

Very smart, Maria, very smart!

A boy like that wants one thing only,

And when he's done he'll leave you lonely.

He'll murder your love; he murdered mine.

Just wait and see-

Just wait, Maria,

Just wait and see!

      MARIA

Oh, no, Anita, no-

Anita, no!

It isn't true, not for me,

It is true for you, not for me,

I hear your words-

And in my head

I know they're smart,

But my heart, Anita,

But my heart

Knows they're wrong

[Anita reprises the chorus she has just sung, as Maria continues

her song.]

And my heart

Is too strong,

For I belong

To him alone, to him alone.

One thing I know:

I am his,

I don't care what he is.

I don't know why it's so,

I don't want to know.

Oh no, Anita, no-you should know better!

You were in love-or so you said.

You should know better...

I have a love, and it's all that I have.

Right or wrong, what else can I do?

I love him; I'm his

And everything he is

I am, too.

I have a love and it's all that I need,

Right or wrong, and he needs me too.

I love him, we're one;

There's nothing to be done,

Not a thing I can do

But hold him, hold him forever,

Be with him now, tomorrow

And all of my life!

      BOTH

When love comes so strong,

There is no right or wrong,

Your love is your life!

      ANITA [quietly]

Chino has a gun... He is sending the boys out to hunt for Tony-

      MARIA [tears off her bathrobe]

If he hurts Tony-If he touches him-I swear to you, I'll-

      ANITA [sharply]

You'll do what Tony did to Bernardo?

      MARIA

I love Tony.

      ANITA

I know. I loved Bernardo.

            [Shrank comes into the outer room.]

      SCHRANK

Anybody home? [Goes to bedroom door, Pleasantly.] Sorry to

disturb you. Guess you're disturbed enough.

      MARIA [gathering her robe]

Yes. You will excuse me, please. I must go to my brother.

      SCHRANK

There are just a coupla questions-

      MARIA

Afterwards, please. Later.

      SCHRANK

It'll only take a minute.

      ANITA

Couldn't you wait until-

      SCHRANK [sharply]

No! [A smile to Maria.] You were at the dance at the gym last

night.

      MARIA

Yes.

      SCHRANK

Your brother got in a heavy argument because you danced with the

wrong boy.

      MARIA

Oh?

      SCHRANK

Who was the wrong boy?

      MARIA

Excuse me. Anita, my head is worse. Will you go to the drugstore

and tell them what I need?

      SCHRANK

Don't you keep aspirin around?

      MARIA

This is something special. Will you go for me, Anita?

      ANITA [hesitates, looks at Maria, then nods.]

Shall I tell him to hold it for you till you come?

      MARIA [to Shrank]

Will I be long?

      SCHRANK

As long as it takes.

      MARIA [to Anita]

Yes. Tell him I will pick it up myself. [Anita goes out.] I'm

sorry. Now you asked?

      SCHRANK

I didn't ask, I told you. There was an argument over a boy. Who

was that boy?

      MARIA

Another from my country.

      SCHRANK

And his name?

      MARIA

Jose.

The Lights Are Out.

      SCENE FOUR

11:40 P.M. The drugstore.

      A-rab and some of the Jets are there as Anybodys and other

Jets run in.

      ACTION

Where's Tony?

      A-RAB

Down in the cellar with Doc.

      DIESEL

Ya warn him about Chino?

      A-RAB

Doc said he'd tell him.

      BABY JOHN

What's he hidin' in the cellar from?

      SNOWBOY

Maybe he can't run as fast as you.

      ACTION

Cut the frabbajabba.

      ANYBODYS

Yeah! The cops'll get hip, if Chino and the PRs don't.

      ACTION

Grab some readin' matter; play the juke. Some of ya get outside

and if ya see Chino or any PR-

      [The shop doorbell tinkles as Anita enters. Cold silence,

then slowly she comes down to the counter. They all stare at her.

A long moment. Someone turns on the jukebox; a mambo comes on

softly.]

      ANITA

I'd like to see Doc.

      ACTION

He ain't here.

      ANITA

Where is he?

      A-RAB

He's gone to the bank. There was an error I his favor.

      ANITA

The banks are closed at night. Where is he?

      A-RAB

You know how skinny Doc is. He slipped in through the night-

deposit slot.

      ANYBODYS

And got stuck halfway in.

      A-RAB

Which indicates there's no tellin' when he'll be back. Buenos

noches, senorita.

[Anita starts to go toward the cellar door.]

      DIESEL

Where you going?

      ANITA

Downstairs to-see Doc.

      ACTION

Didn't I tell ya he ain't here?

      ANITA

I'd like to see for myself.

      ACTION [nastily]

Please.

      ANITA [controlling herself]

...Please.

      ACTION

Por favor.

      ANITA

Will you let me pass?

      SNOWBOY

She's too dark to pass.

      ANITA [low]

Don't.

      ACTION

Please don't.

      SNOWBOY

Por favor.

      DIESEL

Non comprende.

      A-RAB

Gracias.

      BABY JOHN

Di nada.

      ANITA

Listen, you-[She controls herself.]

      ACTION

We're listenin'.

      ANITA

I've got to give a friend of yours a message. I've got tell Tony-

      DIESEL

He ain't here.

      ANITA

I know he is.

      ACTION

Who says he is?

      A-RAB

Who's the message from?

      ANITA

Never mind.

      ACTION

Couldn't be from Chino, could it?

      ANITA

I want to stop Chino! I want to help!

      ANYBODYS

Bernardo's girl wants ta help?

      ACTION

Even a greaseball's got feelings.

      ANYBODYS

But she wants to help Tony!

      ANITA

No!

      ACTION

Not much-Bernardo's tramp.

      SNOWBOY

Bernardo's pig!

      ANITA

Don't do that!

      BABY JOHN

Gold tooth!

      DIESEL

Pierced ear!

      A-RAB

Garlic mouth!

      ACTION

Spic! Lyin' Spic!

      [The taunting breaks out into a wild, savage dance, with

epithets hurled at Anita, who is encircled and drivers by the

whole pack. At the peak, she is shoved so that she falls in a

corner. Baby John is lifted up high and dropped on her as Doc

enters from the cellar door and yells.]

      DOC

Stop it!... What've you been doing now?

            [Dead silence. Anita gets up and looks at them.]

      ANITA [trying not to cry]

Bernardo was right... If one of you was bleeding in the street,

I'd walk by and spit on you. [She flicks herself off and makes

her way toward the door.]

      ACTION

Don't let her go!

      DIESEL

She'll tell Chino that Tony-

[Snowboy grabs her; she shakes loose.]

      ANITA

Let go! [Facing them.] I'll give you a message for your American

buddy! Tell the murderer Maria's never going to meet him! Tell

him Chino found out and-and shot her!

[She slams out. There is a stunned silence.]

      DOC

What does it take to get through to you? When do you stop? You

make this world lousy!

      ACTION

That's the way we found it, Doc.

      DOC

Get out of here!

[Slowly, they start to file out.]

The Lights Fade.

11:50 P.M. The Cellar.

      Cramped: a box or crate; stairs leading to the drugstore

above; a door to the outside.

      Tony is sitting on a crate, whistling "Maria" as Doc comes

down the stairs, some bills in his hand.

      TONY

Make a big sale?

      DOC

No.

      TONY [taking the money that Doc is holding]

Thanks. I'll pay you back as soon as I can.

      DOC

For get that.

      TONY

I won't; I couldn't. Doc, you know what we're going to do in the

country, Maria and me? We're going to have kids and we'll name

them all after you, even the girls. Then when you come to visit-

      DOC [slaps him]

Wake up! [Raging.] Is that the only way to get through to you? Do

just what you all do? Bust like a hot-water pipe?

      TONY

Doc, what's gotten-

      DOC [overriding angrily]

Why do you live like there's a war on? [Low.] Why do you kill?

      TONY

I told you how it happened, Doc. Maria understands. Why can't

you?

      DOC

I never had a Maria.

      TONY [gently]

I have, and I'll tell you one thing, Doc. Even if it only lasts

from one night to the next, it's worth the world.

      DOC

That's all it did last.

      TONY

What?

      DOC

That was no costumer upstairs, just now. That was Anita. [Pause.]

Maria is dead. China found out about you and her-and shot her.

[A brief moment. Tony looks at Doc, stunned, numb. He shakes his

head, as though he cannot believe this. Doc holds out his hands

to him, but Tony backs away, then suddenly turns and runs out the

door. As he does, the set flies away and the stage goes dark. In

the darkness, we heaver Tony's voice.]

      TONY

Chino? Chino? Come and get me, too, Chino.

      SCENE SIX

Midnight. The street.

      The lights come up to reveal the same set we saw at the

beginning of Act One-but it is now jagged with shadows. Tony

stands in the emptiness, calling, whirling around as a figure

darts out of the shadows and then runs off again.

      TONY

Chino?... COME ON: GET ME TOO!

      ANYBODYS [a whisper from the dark]

Tony...

      TONY [swings around]

Who's that?

      ANYBODYS [darting on]

Me: Anybodys.

      TONY

Get outa here. HEY, CHINO! COME GET ME, DAMN YOU!

      ANYBODYS

What're you doin', Tony?

      TONY

I said get outa here! CHINO!

      ANYBODYS

Look, maybe if you and me just-

      TONY [savagely]

It's not playing any more! Can't any of you get that?

      ANYBODYS

But the gang-

      TONY

You're a girl: be a girl! Beat it. [She retreats.] CHINO, I'M

CALLING FOR YOU, CHINO! HURRY! IT'S CLEAR NOW. THERE'S NOBODY BUT

ME. COME ON! Will you, please? I'm waiting for you. I want you

to- [Suddenly, all the way across the stage from him, a figure

steps out of the dark. He stops and peers as light starts to glow

on it. He utters an unbelieving whisper.] Maria... Maria?

      MARIA

Tony... [As she holds out her arms toward him, another figure

appears: Chino.]

      TONY

      MARIA! [As they run to each other, there is a gunshot. Tony

stumbles, as though he has tripped. Maria catches him and cradles

him in her arms as he falters to the ground. During this Baby

John and A-rab run on; then Pepe and Indio and other Sharks.

Chino stands very still, bewildered by the gun dangling from his

hand. More Jets and Sharks, some girls run on, and Doc comes out

to stare with them.] I didn't believe hard enough.

      MARIA

Long is enough.

      TONY

Not here. They won't let us be.

      MARIA

Then we'll get away.

      TONY

Yes, we can. We sill. [He shivers, as though a pain went through

him. She holds him closer and begins to sing-without orchestra.]

      MARIA

Hold my hand and we're halfway there.

Hold my hand and I'll take you there,

Someday,

Somehow...

[He has started to join in on the second line. She sings harder,

as though to urge him back to life, but his voice falters and he

barely finishes the line. She sings on, a phrase or two more,

then stops, his body quiet in her arms. A moment, and then, as

she gently rests Tony on the floor, the orchestra finishes the

last bars of the song. Lightly, she brushes Tony's lips with her

fingers. Behind her, Action, in font of a group of Jets, moves to

lead them toward Chino. Maria speaks, her voice cold, sharp.]

Stay back. [The shawl she has had around her shoulders slips to

the ground as she gets up, walks to Chino and holds out her hand.

He hands her the gun. She speaks again, in a flat, hard voice.]

How do you fire this gun, Chino? Just by pulling this little

trigger? [She points it at him suddenly; he draws back. She has

all of them in front of her now, as she holds the gun out and her

voice gets stronger with anger and savage rage.] How many bullets

are left, Chino? Enough for you? [Pointing at another.] And you?

[At Action.] All of you? WE ALL KILLED HIIM; and my brother and

Riff. I, too. I CAN KILL NOW BECAUSE I HATE NOW. [She has been

pointing the gun wildly, and they have all been drawing back.

Now, again, she holds it straight out at Action.] How many can I

kill, Chino? How many-and still have one bullet left for me?

[Both hands on the gun, she breaks into tears, hurls the gun away

and sinks to the ground. Schrank walks on looks around and starts

toward Tony's body. Like a madwoman, Maria races to the body

      [She kisses him gently. Music starts as the two Jets and

two Sharks lift up Tony's body and start to carry him out. The

others, boys and girls, fall in behind to make a procession, the

same procession they made in the dream ballet, as Baby John comes

forward to pick up Maria's shawl and put it over her head. She

sits quietly, like a woman in mourning, as the music builds, the

light starts to come up and the procession makes its way across

the stage. At last, she gets up and, despite the tears on her

face, lifts her head proudly, and triumphantly turns to follow

the others. The adults-Doc, Schrank, Krupke, Glad Hand-are left

bowed, alone, useless.]

The Curtain Falls.