West Side Story is a musical that premiered in 1957, created by Leonard Bernstein (music), Stephen Sondheim (lyrics), and Arthur Laurents (book). It is a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set in New York City, focusing on the rivalry between two street gangs: the Jets and the Sharks. The story explores themes of love, prejudice, and social conflict. The musical features iconic songs such as "Tonight" and "Maria," and is known for its innovative choreography by Jerome Robbins. West Side Story has been adapted into several films, with the most notable version released in 1961 and a recent adaptation in 2021 directed by Steven Spielberg.