Prologue
West Side Story [Original Broadway Cast] Lyrics
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(The opening, half danced half mimed, is a Condensationof the growing rivalry between two teenage gangs. The Sharks are Puerto Ricans, The Jets an anthology of what is called 'American'. The Jets want to hold on to their territory And clean out the Sharks in a rumble.)
The opening song "Prologue" in West Side Story sets the stage for the story of conflict between two teenage gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. The lyrics describe the months leading up to the rumble that will take place between the two groups, portraying the tension and violence that is mounting between the two. The song is half-danced and half-mimed, reflecting the physicality of the gang rivalry while also highlighting the language barriers and cultural differences that exist between the groups.
The Jets are described as wanting to hold onto their territory and eliminate the Sharks, while the Sharks are portrayed as a group of Puerto Rican immigrants trying to make a new life in America. The song's lyrics are filled with vivid imagery, from the "whistle of a switchblade" to the "snap of a pipe" as the gangs prepare for battle. The tension builds as the groups face off against each other, each determined to defend their own turf.
Overall, "Prologue" sets the tone for the rest of the musical, exploring themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the struggle for power and control. The song's powerful lyrics and intense choreography help to create a sense of urgency and danger that carries through the rest of the show.
Line by Line Meaning
The Neighborhood
The area where the events of this story take place.
The months before
The period of time leading up to the main events of the story.
(The opening, half danced half mimed, is a Condensationof the growing rivalry between two teenage gangs.
The introduction scene is a summarized version of the increasing animosity between two groups of young people.
The Sharks are Puerto Ricans, The Jets an anthology of what is called 'American'.
The Sharks are a group of people of Puerto Rican origin, while the Jets comprise individuals who are generally considered to be American.
The Jets want to hold on to their territory
The Jets are determined to retain their territory within the area.
And clean out the Sharks in a rumble.)
Additionally, the Jets plan to defeat the Sharks in a physical confrontation.
Contributed by John D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@s.g.7572
List of everything we learn in these first 9 minutes, without any exposition or dialogue:
- The names of the gangs (sidewalk paintings)
-The leaders and second-in-commands of the gangs (not their names, but through their prominence and the order in which they appear)
-The power dynamic (Jets are clearly more powerful than Sharks)
-The way they operate (Sharks are cleverer and bait the Jets into traps, Jets rely on strength and numbers)
-The reasons people are part of the gangs (the joy in all their movements and coordination speaks to the team spirit they exude)
-The respect the Jets hold in the community, vs the Sharks who are never shown being given anything (Jets get the basketball, people move for them on the sidewalk etc)
-The way their fights escalate (initially almost playful, dances, idle threats, then the more they interact, the more it builds up until it becomes an unchoreographed street brawl)
-The reason the Sharks exist (their musical motif, the sting at 2:17, is a slightly distorted version of the Jets' motif, representing how the Jets existed before there were any Puerto Rican immigrants in the neighbourhood, and then after being targeted the Sharks had to be formed for protection, hence they are a slightly different version of the Jets)
-Their immaturity (slightly more vague, but I'm just thinking about how things like the fruit interaction, the paint, the "Beat it!"s are so petty and childish, it really emphasises that these are kids playing at being tough, which then comes back in "Dear Officer Krupke" and "Cool")
-The way Bernardo and Riff are going to die (the same way that everything escalates gradually here, what starts off as a fistfight becomes a knifefight, then a double murder. Here, we see that both sides are too proud and stubborn to take the moral high ground and de-escalate, both will fight until they're pulled apart, and when no-one's there to do so they will fight until they die)
This is what people talk about when they talk about cinematic language.
@bellafausett2063
I wish people could dance through the streets without getting weird looks. This would be my dream, honestly.
@pix046
Not worth dancing in the streets without getting weird looks.
@EmilynWood
Actually it's fun to see how people react when you dance.
@EyeLean5280
bella amy Do it in New York. No one will care.
@steamslaughtgaming6115
***** Try it in England; The Queen will have you sent to the Tower Of London
@EyeLean5280
SteamSlaught Gaming
to see the crown jewels, I presume?
@craigm2520
Back in the good old days with teenagers solved disagreements with incredibly well done ballet, dance, and rhythm
@EMVelez
😂😂 if only!
@michellelekas211
And murder!
@shejmacfyoutuization
🤣