Maria (West Side Story)
Maria is the leading female character in the film and theatrical version of West Side Story, the award winning adaptation of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet.[1]
Best known portrayal
The best known portrayal of Maria was by Natalie Wood in the 1961 film. The film has received criticism for the fact that Wood did not have the same Ethnic group (Puerto Rican) as Maria, and Wood was in her twenties, while the character was scripted to be in her teens.
Songs
The songs sung by Maria include "Tonight" sung with Tony (the leading male character), "Somewhere" also sung with Tony and "I Feel Pretty" sung with the girls (co-workers[except Anita]) in the dress shop. All three songs have been classed as operatic.[citation needed] In both the film and the play is a song named "Maria", which is sung by Tony in both.
First appearance
Maria's first appearance is in a dressing room, where she is arguing with Anita (her friend and her brother's girlfriend) for more cleavage in the dress that Anita is making for her. She does not meet Tony until the dance at the gym.
References
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