Scene 1 begins with the Prologue, which is “half-danced, half-mimed with occasional phrases of dialogue” (1). The scene illustrates the tense rivalry between two gangs: the Sharks, who are Puerto Rican, and the Jets, who are US-born. The Jets, led by Riff, have claimed the territory onstage. The Sharks, led by Bernardo, enter and a scuffle breaks out. There is a police whistle, and the gangs stop fighting as Sergeant Krupke and Lieutenant Schrank enter. The cops immediately blame the Sharks, and Schrank comments, “Boy, what you Puerto Ricans have done to this neighborhood” (2). Schrank attempts to convince A-rab, one of the Jets, to identify the Shark who attacked him, but the Jets refuse. Angrily, Schrank responds, “I got a hot surprise for you: you hoodlums don’t own the street” (3). Then Schrank orders, “All right, Bernardo, get your trash out of here” (3) and Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks, exits with his gang. The officers demand peace from the gangs and leave.

The Jets mock the officers, insisting that they do in fact own the streets.

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now