Racism in West Side Story (1961) Introduction “West Side Story” is an American musical that premiered in September 1957 in New York (Negrón-Muntaner, 83). The musical was based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and it was written by Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins. The Musical featured teenage street gangs, The Jets and the Sharks. The musical is filled with perfectly choreographed dance sequences, and some of the songs they dance to include “Tonight” and Maria and “Somewhere (Negrón-Muntaner, 83).” However, besides the outstanding performances, racism is evident throughout the play. Racism is highlighted because it shows the conception of the Whites on Puerto Ricans and their culture. Chino and Bernardo Chino is one of Bernardo’s closest friends, and he