From an early idea to Broadway
The Library of Congress preserves notes from an early version in which religious divisions separated the lovers. As the project evolved, the creative team moved the conflict to rival groups of young people in New York and made Puerto Rican migration central to the setting. The sketches show that adaptation involved choosing a new social conflict as much as changing the characters' names.
Who made what
Jerome Robbins conceived, directed and choreographed the original production. Arthur Laurents wrote the book, Leonard Bernstein composed the music and Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics. The original opened at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre on 26 September 1957. Larry Kert played Tony and Carol Lawrence played Maria. For a paper, record the production and year alongside each cast member, because revival credits can otherwise look interchangeable.
Watch for the handovers
The opening establishes territory with bodies and rhythm before the audience needs a verbal explanation. Later, the gym dance puts a shared social ritual to a different use: the groups are physically together, but their steps define competing claims on the room. Track where dialogue stops and movement takes over, then ask which pieces of information would disappear if everybody simply stood and spoke.
A starting point for production research
The Library of Congress exhibition places early drafts next to production material. The official original-production dossier is a better starting point for names and opening details. For the text as currently offered to producing organisations, consult the licensing catalogue and identify the exact edition or materials in your notes.