West Side Story Quiz: Jets, Sharks and the Upper West Side

Leonard Bernstein's music and Jerome Robbins's dance turned a Shakespeare tragedy into street-gang drama, and this West Side Story quiz explores its people and places. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on Tony and Maria, the Jets and the Sharks, Anita and Bernardo, Stephen Sondheim's lyrics, the 1961 film's ten Oscars, Rita Moreno and Steven Spielberg's 2021 version.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Source
Which play inspired West Side Story?
Composer
Who composed the music?
Lyrics
Who wrote the lyrics?
Gangs
What are the rival gangs called?
Lovers
Who are the young lovers?
Brother
Who is Maria's brother?
Choreographer
Who directed and choreographed the original production?
Oscars
How many Oscars did the 1961 film win?
Anita
Which actress won an Oscar as Anita in 1962?
Remake
Who directed the 2021 film version?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which play inspired West Side Story?
Answer: Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare's lovers became Tony and Maria.
Q2: Who composed the music?
Answer: Leonard Bernstein
The show opened on Broadway in 1957.
Q3: Who wrote the lyrics?
Answer: Stephen Sondheim
It was his Broadway debut as lyricist.
Q4: What are the rival gangs called?
Answer: The Jets and the Sharks
The Sharks are Puerto Rican.
Q5: Who are the young lovers?
Answer: Tony and Maria
Tony is a former Jet.
Q6: Who is Maria's brother?
Answer: Bernardo
He leads the Sharks.
Q7: Who directed and choreographed the original production?
Answer: Jerome Robbins
He co-directed the 1961 film.
Q8: How many Oscars did the 1961 film win?
Answer: Ten
Including Best Picture.
Q9: Which actress won an Oscar as Anita in 1962?
Answer: Rita Moreno
Ariana DeBose won for the same role in 2022.
Q10: Who directed the 2021 film version?
Answer: Steven Spielberg
Rita Moreno appeared in a new role.

West Side Story Quiz – Jets, Sharks and the Upper West Side

West Side Story opened on Broadway in 1957, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by Arthur Laurents and choreography by Jerome Robbins. It retells Romeo and Juliet in New York's Upper West Side.

Tony, a former member of the Jets, falls for Maria, sister of Bernardo, leader of the Puerto Rican Sharks. The rivalry between the gangs leads to tragedy, with Anita, Riff and Chino caught up in the conflict.

The 1961 film won ten Oscars, including Best Picture, and Rita Moreno won for playing Anita. Steven Spielberg's 2021 version earned Ariana DeBose an Oscar for the same role, with Moreno returning in a new part.

What This Quiz Teaches

Musical and film fans will enjoy these questions.

Who created the musical
Which story it retells
Who the characters are
Which awards it won
How it was remade

Did You Know?

Some of the 1961 film was shot where Lincoln Center now stands.
Natalie Wood's singing was dubbed.
The prologue opens with aerial views of Manhattan.
Chita Rivera played Anita on Broadway.
Songs include America and Tonight.