West Side Story

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Who

Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins — its four principal creators, all Jewish-American.

When

1957

Where

New York City, United States

West Side Story is a landmark 1957 Broadway musical that retells Romeo and Juliet amid rival gangs in New York, praised for its music, lyrics and dance. Its four principal creators — composer Leonard Bernstein, lyricist Stephen Sondheim, writer Arthur Laurents and director-choreographer Jerome Robbins — were all Jewish-American. The show became one of the most celebrated works of American musical theater.

Part of “The Gifts of the Jews” — verified Jewish contributions to the world, with sources.