West Side Story

West Side Story doesn’t get enough credit for this—it did what Hamilton gets praised for, decades earlier. Music, choreography, and social conflict all working together at a high level. This wasn’t safe when it came out. It was aggressive. Against Chicago, it’s less stylish but far more emotional. Against Hamilton, it’s less flashy but arguably more complete. The problem is perception—it feels older, so people assume it’s lesser. That’s a mistake. If you care about influence and execution, West Side Story has a real case. Most people just don’t realize it until they have to choose.