"The further we get in time from whenWest Side Story was written, the more the musical's mythic dimensions come into focus. . . . The show continues to seduce in a theatrical language that remains universal."--Charles McNulty,Los Angeles Times

"How affecting the show's central love story [remains . . . in this epochal musical from 1957, created by one of the most talented teams in showbiz history."--Ben Brantley,The New York Times

The groundbreaking musicalWest Side Story--re-envisioningRomeo and Juliet in the gang-ridden New York of its day--defined a theatrical generation and launched the career of its lyricist Stephen Sondheim. A much-heralded revival is currently playing on Broadway, directed by Arthur Laurents with a score by Leonard Bernstein. While the opening line of the original 1957New York Times review declared "the material is horrifying," the test of time has proven the endurance of the story of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria, told against the backdrop of the feuding Sharks and Jets. This volume will be published alongside Sondheim's nine other titles from TCG, offering a more complete portrait of his celebrated career in the musical theater.

Arthur Laurents is a playwright, librettist, director, and screenwriter. His credits includeGypsy, in collaboration with Stephen Sondheim, and the filmThe Way We Were.

Stephen Sondheim is the composer and lyricist on such masterpieces asCompany,Follies,A Little Night Music,Sunday in the Park with George, andSweeney Todd.