An Ultimate Parallelism: Romeo and Juliet versus West Side Story

The story of Romeo and Juliet is a classic. It is preformed in many forms and fashions. Themes changed, twisted, and unfolded accordingly. Although the play may have consisted of a tragic ending, other directors tended to put their own twists on the theme to give a happier ending. For West Side Story, on the other hand, this unforgettable play followed in the footsteps of the Shakespearean classic. With so many performances and awards, West Side Story stood tall alongside Romeo and Juliet, in its own silhouette. Because the popular works were so similar, but yet so different, it is only appropriate to examine the two works and compare them amongst each other respectively.

West Side Story has many similarities to Romeo and Juliet. It was a mere shadow of the classic story about rivalry, deceit, and love. The stories parallel one another, but there are a few differences. The theme, characters, music, and even the language are all parallel in many ways, but yet different. Criticisms and praising were also a huge aspect of the plays’ success and ongoing performances. The many different elements and characteristics of both works claimed attraction for comparison. From Romeo and Juliet’s stamp on poetry during the Elizabethan era, to West Side Story’s staggering start for its debut, the two works are discussed in great detail.

The story of Romeo and Juliet had its beginnings in the Elizabethan era where poetry and literary works were beginning to receive the praise they so rightfully deserved; and Shakespeare became the single most important and celebrated playwright in theatre history. His works were always being taught and talked about. Students from generations to come will be taught about the historic playwright. However, the byp...

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...: in the rehearsals, in the theatrical production, in the screening of the film, or in the reception of the audience and the critics” (Sanchez 2006)?

Though the two productions were hit with some intense criticisms, they would not be what they are today if the positive and glowing reviews did not exist. In an article written in the New York Times by Bosley Crowther in 1961, during the opening days of West Side Story, the movie critic announced West Side Story as a “Cinema Masterpiece”(New York Times 1961) Crowther continued to talk about how the moving of the story, from stage to theatre, was a smart move. He went into great detail of the movie, while glorifying its style and drama. “In every respect, the recreation of the Arthur Laurents-Leonard Bernstein musical in the dynamic forms of motion pictures is superbly and appropriately achieved” (New York Times 1961).