Final answer:
The star-crossed lovers in West Side Story are Tony and Maria, whose ill-fated romance is portrayed in a musical that masterfully combines a gripping narrative with a profound message on prejudice and violence.
Step-by-step explanation:
In West Side Story, the two star-crossed lovers are Tony and Maria. This tale of doomed romance echoes Shakespeare's own tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet, but sets the story on the rough backdrop of 1950s New York City. The Broadway musical, which debuted in 1957, became a seminal work thanks to the creative forces of Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, and Stephen Sondheim. Its gritty, realistic portrayal of gang violence and racial tension was a shift from conventional musicals of the time, with an ending that diverges from Shakespeare's to leave Maria alive amidst the devastation, highlighting the relentless persistence of hatred.
From the first secret tryst of Tony and Maria on a fire escape to the poignant finale, the production weaved complex themes with memorable music, defying early skepticism about its dark narrative to become a beloved classic. The character-driven plot and its stark ending underscore the cost of prejudice and the human capacity for both great love and great animosity. Despite challenges faced during its production, including losing its initial producer due to concerns over its somber tone, the team, with Hal Prince's intervention, succeeded in bringing the show to the public.