Shakespearian Stories

I would say that, like Romeo and Juliet, A Westside Story has a mix of love triangle, disobeying parents, and above all star-crossed lovers. A Westside Story is basically a modern (and musical) version of Romeo and Juliet. It starts out in New York, with two gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. The Sharks and the members families have just moved to New York from Peurto Rico, and the Jets feel like they've invaded their "turf", so almost immeadiately there is rivalry(as in the Capulet's and Montagues). Very soon Tony from the Jets and Maria from the Sharks fall in love at a dance, and are forbidden to see eachother ever again. Thus we are introduced to Romeo and Juliet.

The Sharks and Jet's call a rumble underneath the highway, and the leader of the Sharks (Maria's brother Bernardo) kills the leader of the Jets (Riff). Tony gets angry because Riff was his best friend; like a brother to him, and he kills Bernardo. Chino, a member of the Sharks(also in love with Maria) wants to get even with Tony and goes out looking for him. Tony and Maria make plans to run away from New York, but Bernardo's girlfriend, out of anger, has Tony told that Maria was killed by Chino because he found out about their affair. Tony doesn't want to live without Maria and tries to find Chino shouting that he wants to be shot as well. Chino shoots and kills Tony, but there is a twist to the ending. Maria finds Tony but does not kill herself; instead she is angry at everyone for all the hate and makes the Jets and the Sharks realize how wrong their rivalry was. Also, Chino(Paris) is not killed, instead he kills Tony(Romeo).