Inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet and set in Manhattan’s  Upper West Side in the mid-1950s, a multiracial, blue-collar neighborhood, the story is based on the conflict between “the Jets” and “the Sharks,” two teenage street gangs, respectively “white” and Puerto Rican.

"America"

Puerto Rico, my heart’s devotion, let it sink back in the ocean!

Always the hurricanes blowing, always the population growing, and the money owing,

and the sunlight streaming, and the natives steaming.

I like the island Manhattan. (I know you do!) Smoke on your pipe and put that in!

I like to be in America. O.K. by me in America. Everything free in America.

For a small fee in America.

Buying on credit is so nice.

One look at us and they charge twice.

I have my own washing machine.

What will you have though to keep clean?

Sky-scrapers bloom in America. Cadillacs zoom in America. Industry boom in America.

Twelve in a room in America.

Lots of new housing with more space.

Lots of doors slamming in our face.

I’ll get a terrace apartment.

Better get rid of your accent.

Life can be bright in America.

If you can fight in America.

Life is all right in America.

If you’re a white in America.

America, Olè, etc.

Here you are free and you have pride.

Long as you stay on your own side.

Free to be anything you choose.

Free to wait tables and shine shoes.

Everywhere crime in America.  Organized crime in America.  Terrible time in America.

You forget I’m in America.

I think I go back to San Juan.

I know a boat you can get on. (Bye-bye!)

Everyone there will give big cheer.

Everyone there will have moved here.