Thursday, 11 September 2014

West Side Story

For my additional practical work I've decided to design some costumes for the musical West Side Story. Here is some initial information about the musical:

Idea:
West Side story is a drama, inspired by Shakepeare's drama Romeo and Juliet, based on a tragically ending love story emerged between two teenagers related to members of rival street teenage gangs with different ethnic origins. The narration is set in New York City during the 50s of 20th century. The main characters who fall in love are Tony, an ex-member and a best friend to the current The Jets (white skin toned), Riff, and Maria, the sister of the leader of the other gang the Sharks (who are from Puerto Rico), Bernardo.

Sinopsis:
The action of the musical happens in only 2 days.
Day 1
In the opening act the audience is introduced to the rivalry of the two gangs. First on stage appears the local American gang, The Jets, and then one by one appear the member of the Sharks which are continuously invading their territory.
At the gym, where Riff has also invites his best friend and former member, Tony, the two gangs show a comparison with different dance moves. The sister of Bernardo, Maria, also attend the dance. Althought she has already been set up by his brother to marry his best friend, Chino, she meets Tony and they both fall in love at first side. The two teengers don't hide their emotions and the tension between the two gans explodes. Led by their anger, the two leaders have an argument and arrange a street fight between the two gangs.
Later Tony determined to see Maria again, finds the place where she leaves, climbs up her balcony and they set a next day meeting at the shop where she works. At the same time the details of the rumble are arranged between the two gangs.
Day 2
On the next day, Tony arrives at the bridal shop. They spend some romantic time together and start trying some wedding clothes from the shop on. Tony promises to prevent the rumble.
 Although he arrives in time for the fight, the leaders pulled out knifes and the rumble ends up with the Riff, killed first by Bernardo, and Bernardo, killed by Tony in his anger of losing his best friend.
Furious by the death of their leader, The Sharks leaded by Chino pulls out his gun and start searching for Tony.
On the other hand, Maria sends her friends Anita to warn Tony about that danger, but taunted by the other members of the Jets, she tells them that Chino has killed Maria.
Hearing the news, Tony is heart-broken and goes in the street to search for Chino and to ask him to kill him as well. Unexpectedly he runs into Maria, but while running towards her ends up being shot by Chino.
At the end, Maria sets peace into the two gangs teling them that they have all been resposible for the deaths and the body of Tony is carried away by the members of the two gangs.


Characters:

The Shark - boys:
  • Bernardo
  • Chino
  • Pepe
  • Indio
  • Luis
  • Juano
The Sharks - girls:
  • Maria
  • Anita
  • Rosalia
  • Consuelo
  • Fransisca
  • Teresita
  • Estrella
  • Margarita
The Jets - boys:
  • Tony
  • Riff
  • Diesel
  • Baby John
  • A-Rab
  • Action
  • Snowboy
The Jets - girls:

  • Anybody's
  • Velma
  • Graziella
  • Minnie
  • Clarice
  • Pauline
Adult:

  • Doc
  • Lieutenant Schrank
  • Officer Krupke
  • Glad Hand






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