A Tactic to Build Tension
Arthur Laurents, who wrote the musical’s book, referred to the stage production as a “gang war.” To help get the actors into character, Robbins demanded that the members of the Jets and the Sharks remain separate. Carol Lawrence, who played Maria on Broadway, said, “He deliberately tried to foment animosity, antagonism, between the two opposing gangs, both on stage and off stage. They weren’t allowed to eat together. They were not supposed to socialize.”
Carol Lawrence September 1958. Photo by Everett Collection / Shutterstock
Robbins apparently posted newspaper articles about local gang violence on the walls of the studio, telling the actors that this was now their reality. While working on the film, Robbins made the actors keep their distance and not communicate. He wanted to create believable tension.