Meet all of the characters from West Side Story!
Learn who’s who in the Sharks and the Jets to get a better understanding of this Broadway classic by meeting the main characters in the story.
Maria (Shark) and Tony (Jet)
The main characters in West Side Story. Maria, a member of the Sharks and a Puerto Rican immigrant, and Tony, the former leader of the Jets, meet by happenstance at a community dance. They fall in love and their story will impact their family and their respective gang-members for the rest of their lives.
They are West Side Story’s equivalent to Romeo and Juliet.
Riff (Jet)
Riff is Tony’s best friend and the leader of the Jets. Riff will stop at nothing to beat the Sharks in their gang’s turf war.
He is the musical’s equivalent to Mercutio.
Bernardo (Shark)
Bernardo is a Puerto Rican immigrant and the leader of the Sharks. He is Maria’s older brother and dating Anita. The only thing more important to him than the Sharks is protecting his younger sister. So, when he spots Maria kissing Tony at a dance, he sees only one way to rectify the situation.
He is the musical’s equivalent to Tybalt.
Anita (Shark)
Anita is a Puerto Rican immigrant who came to America shortly after her boyfriend, Bernardo. She works as a seamstress in NYC. Anita is the main confidant to Maria.
Anita is based on the Nurse in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.
Chino (Shark)
Chino is a member of the Sharks. Chino is Bernardo’s choice of love interest for Maria. However, when Maria falls for Tony, Chino will have to choose: love or hate.
He is the musical’s equivalent to Paris.
Lt. Schrank
Lieutenant Schrank is a detective and Officer Krupke’s superior officer. He is heavy-handed and bigoted.
Lt. Schrank is based on Prince Escalus in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.
Officer Krupke
Officer Kurpke is a beat cop in New York City who works with Lt. Schrank to try and keep the street gangs in line, particularly the Jets and the Sharks.
Doc
Doc is the proprietor of a local pharmacy and candy store that the Sharks and Jets hang out in and use to conduct their “war council” as they plan for their brawl. Doc is a father figure to Tony and often tries to give him advice.
He is the musical’s equivalent to Friar Lawrence.