["West Side Story"] is a story with music, but I do not call it a musical because it strikes me as an entirely new form. There are arias, duets, choral numbers; there is ballet and jive, and there is an appealing libretto. It is the most exciting thing that has come to town since "My Fair Lady."

Here is one of the rare blends of talent that obviously struck no snags. The idea, a rather loose modernization of the Romeo and Juliet theme, was conceived by Jerome Robbins. It was transmitted by him to Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and a young man named Stephen Sondheim, and together they devised book, music, lyrics and choreography which should remain for many seasons as the most fortunate union in the history of money.

Taking it from the top I would say that Mr. Bernstein is responsible for the true importance of...