DMTC - Character Descriptions

Character Descriptions

West Side Story

Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 7:30pm
or
Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7:30pm

Callbacks: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 7:30pm

Directed by Kyle Jackson
Choreographed by Kyle Jackson
Musical direction by Dean Mora

Opens Friday, January 8, 2027

Plot Synopsis

From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Arthur Laurents' book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is widely regarded as one of the best ever written. The world's greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre's finest accomplishments.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

All Roles Open

Role	Description
Riff	A spritely, quick-tempered leader. He seeks to eliminate the Sharks and establish his own gang's dominance. Tony's best friend, he is eventually murdered by Bernardo.
Tony	A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets, he has found a new lifestyle now. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love to Maria and meets an untimely death. Genuinely sweet and sincere.
Bernardo	A proud, strong, handsome Puerto Rican man. Bernardo seeks to carve out territory as a sense of identity for he and his friends. Maria's brother and Anita's boyfriend. Leader of the Sharks.
Maria	A hopeless romantic and innocent young girl. She falls in love with Tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Bernardo's sister. Puerto Rican.
Anita	Feisty and assertive. She dispenses "older sister" advice to Maria and tries to shield her from the dangers of the gangs. Bernardo's girlfriend and Maria's friend. Puerto Rican.
Chino	An angry and, at times, naïve Shark who turns murderous and vengeful. Suitor to Maria and friend of Bernardo's.
Anybodys	A spunky tomboy who is desperate to become a member of the Jets. The other Jets mock her for her ambitions, but generally appreciate her company. Full of energy and heart.
Doc	The owner of the candy store where the Jets hang out. He tries to guide the Jets youthful angst and provides a safe haven for Tony. Old fashioned and wise in his ways.
Lt. Schrank	A local police detective frustrated by the ongoing violence between the Jets and Sharks. Blunt, brash, and unapologetic
Officer Krupke	The local beat cop. He has no patience for the gangs conflict and tries to keep tensions from erupting between them. Regularly mocked by the local gangs.
Ensemble	Jets, Sharks, Jets Girls, Sharks Girls

Role

Description

Riff

A spritely, quick-tempered leader. He seeks to eliminate the Sharks and establish his own gang's dominance. Tony's best friend, he is eventually murdered by Bernardo.

Tony

A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets, he has found a new lifestyle now. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love to Maria and meets an untimely death. Genuinely sweet and sincere.

Bernardo

A proud, strong, handsome Puerto Rican man. Bernardo seeks to carve out territory as a sense of identity for he and his friends. Maria's brother and Anita's boyfriend. Leader of the Sharks.

Maria

A hopeless romantic and innocent young girl. She falls in love with Tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Bernardo's sister. Puerto Rican.

Anita

Feisty and assertive. She dispenses "older sister" advice to Maria and tries to shield her from the dangers of the gangs. Bernardo's girlfriend and Maria's friend. Puerto Rican.

Chino

An angry and, at times, naïve Shark who turns murderous and vengeful. Suitor to Maria and friend of Bernardo's.

Anybodys

A spunky tomboy who is desperate to become a member of the Jets. The other Jets mock her for her ambitions, but generally appreciate her company. Full of energy and heart.

Doc

The owner of the candy store where the Jets hang out. He tries to guide the Jets youthful angst and provides a safe haven for Tony. Old fashioned and wise in his ways.

Lt. Schrank

A local police detective frustrated by the ongoing violence between the Jets and Sharks. Blunt, brash, and unapologetic

Officer Krupke

The local beat cop. He has no patience for the gangs conflict and tries to keep tensions from erupting between them. Regularly mocked by the local gangs.

Ensemble

Jets, Sharks, Jets Girls, Sharks Girls