Reflections on "West Side Story"

        Recently I had the opportunity to see West Side Story. 

            Where I am from, gang violence and its effects are nothing new so to see it again on stage, it's just a little reminder of the things that nobody wants to talk about or relive.  The way the characters expressed their emotions when someone died was very realistic, to the point where you almost feel what they are feeling. One of the things I didn't agree with was how fast Maria forgave Tony for killing her brother, but I guess that she must have loved him that much.

                Tony and Maria had found an escape from the outside world when they were with each other. Though it ended badly; their love was strong up to that point. I hope I can feel that way about a girl in the future.

            I honestly thought that I wasn't going to like the show because I never liked musicals. When I saw the show, I ended up loving it. Its way of telling a story about the effects of gang violence, the experience of coming to America and the love of two people made me understand why West Side Story is considered a classic.

Nico, GED + Stanley Isaacs Center

My first experience of Broadway was breathtaking. I went to see the play West Side Story. The play told a story about love, prejudice and violence which was what affected everybody in this play in some way.

I personally have experienced prejudice. I have been called a spic and other very offensive and vulgar names and all this because I am Latina. This is a very sad situation because I don't see the need for all this hatred. At the end of the day, we are all the same in different variety of colors, shapes, sizes and some speaking different languages. This is a never-ending problem because of people's ignorance.

There was something that I didn't really agree with in this play. That was how Maria forgave Tony so fast after killing her brother. Being the other way around, that Bernardo would have killed Tony, I'm pretty sure that Maria would have not forgiven him that instant.

Everything turned out the way I expected and more. My first time on Broadway was the greatest ... I actually loved this play and the fact that I can relate to it in many ways. This was an unforgettable experience.