How did dance help tell the story in West Side Story?

In West Side Story, dance serves as an essential narrative tool, moving beyond mere diversion to become an integral element of the storytelling. Choreographed by Jerome Robbins, the dance sequences are woven into the production to advance the plot and define the characters' conflicts, mirroring the approach established by earlier landmark musicals like Oklahoma! where every dance routine is an indispensable part of a closely-knit whole.12

The choreography helps articulate the tension between the rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, and underscores the emotional stakes of the story. By integrating movement with the music of Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, the production uses dance to externalize the characters' internal states and the combative atmosphere of their environment. This integration ensures that the narrative remains engrossing and that the dance remains a vital component of the musical's dramatic substance rather than a separate performance piece.312