<P> The story is set in the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City in the mid 1950s , an ethnic , blue - collar neighborhood ( in the early 1960s , much of the neighborhood was cleared in an urban renewal project for the Lincoln Center , which changed the neighborhood 's character ) . The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks , two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds . The members of the Sharks , from Puerto Rico , are taunted by the Jets , a white gang . The young protagonist , Tony , a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang 's leader , Riff , falls in love with Maria , the sister of Bernardo , the leader of the Sharks . The dark theme , sophisticated music , extended dance scenes , and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre . Bernstein 's score for the musical includes `` Something 's Coming '' , `` Maria '' , `` America '' , `` Somewhere '' , `` Tonight '' , `` Jet Song '' , `` I Feel Pretty '' , `` A Boy Like That '' , `` One Hand , One Heart '' , `` Gee , Officer Krupke '' , and `` Cool '' . </P>
<P> The story is set in the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City in the mid 1950s , an ethnic , blue - collar neighborhood ( in the early 1960s , much of the neighborhood was cleared in an urban renewal project for the Lincoln Center , which changed the neighborhood 's character ) . The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks , two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds . The members of the Sharks , from Puerto Rico , are taunted by the Jets , a white gang . The young protagonist , Tony , a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang 's leader , Riff , falls in love with Maria , the sister of Bernardo , the leader of the Sharks . The dark theme , sophisticated music , extended dance scenes , and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre . Bernstein 's score for the musical includes `` Something 's Coming '' , `` Maria '' , `` America '' , `` Somewhere '' , `` Tonight '' , `` Jet Song '' , `` I Feel Pretty '' , `` A Boy Like That '' , `` One Hand , One Heart '' , `` Gee , Officer Krupke '' , and `` Cool '' . </P>
who does maria fall in love with in west side story
who does maria fall in love with in west side story
Tony , a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang 's leader , Riff
Tony , a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang 's leader , Riff