Amazing Behind the Scenes Color Photos From the Filming of "West Side Story" in 1960

West Side Story is an American musical with a libretto by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and conception and choreography by Jerome Robbins. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.

The story is set in the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City in the mid-1950s, an ethnic, blue-collar neighborhood. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.

Below is a collection of color photos from filming of West Side Story in New York City in August 1960 by LIFE photographer Gjon Mili.

Jets led by Russ Tamblyn (in yellow jacket), as Riff, chase George Chakiris (front-C), as Bernardo, leader of the Sharks, in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Jets led by Russ Tamblyn (front-R), as Riff, confront members of the Sharks in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Actor George Chakiris (C) as Bernardo, gang leader of the Sharks leads two unident. others into turf of rival gang, the Jets in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Actors portraying gang members climb over wire fence to escape police following killing of their leaders. Richard Beymer, as Tony, lies against fence in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Actor Richard Beymer (C) holding knife, as Tony, standing over wounded George Chakiris, as Bernardo, as other gang members stand by in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Actor Russ Tamblyn as Riff, gang leader of the Jets, leaps over smoldering rubble of New York slum clearance project in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Actor Richard Beymer (C), as Tony, crying out over killings as bodies of two slain gang leaders, George Chakiris (L) & Russ Tamblyn (R), lie around him in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Actors George Chakiris (L), as Bernardo, & Russ Tamblyn (R), as Riff, in knife fight scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Actors portraying members of Jets & Sharks fight following death of their leaders, Bernardo & Riff, as bodies lie on the ground in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Jerome Robbins sitting in directors chair suspended above set of motion picture "West Side Story."

Jets led by Russ Tamblyn (front-R), as Riff, confront members of the Sharks in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Directors Robert Wise (L) & Jerome Robbins directing a scene for motion picture "West Side Story."

Actors portraying members of Jets & Sharks fight following death of their leaders, Bernardo & Riff, as bodies lie on the ground in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Russ Tamblyn, wearing yellow jacket as Riff, leader of the Jets, w. other gang members in exuberant dance on busy street in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Russ Tamblyn, wearing yellow jacket as Riff, leader of the Jets, w. other gang members in exuberant dance on busy street in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Actors portraying members of Jets & Sharks fight following death of their leaders, Bernardo & Riff, as bodies lie on the ground in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Rival gang members throw rocks at each other in ruble strewn lot of slum clearance project in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Actors portraying rival gang members confront each other under West Side highway in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Jerome Robbins, surrounded by camera equipment, preparing to direct a scene for motion picture "West Side Story."

Russ Tamblyn (C), wearing yellow jacket as Riff, leader of the Jets, & two other gang members leaping over backs of members of Sharks in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

George Chakiris (R), as Bernardo, & members of the Sharks play cards as members of Jets taunt them through broken fence in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Jets, led by Russ Tamblyn (2L), as Riff, taunt their rival gang, the Sharks, in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Rival gang members throw rocks at each other in ruble strewn lot of slum clearance project in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Directors Jerome Robbins (top) in directors chair suspended above set & Robert Wise, seated on ladder, directing a scene for motion picture "West Side Story."

Russ Tamblyn (L), as Riff, leads gang members in strutting dance along sidewalk in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Russ Tamblyn, wearing yellow jacket as Riff, leader of the Jets, w. other gang members in exuberant dance on busy street in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Members of rival gangs, Jets & Sharks, confront each other in scene from motion picture "West Side Story."

Director/choreographer Jerome Robbins & actress Natalie Wood playing piano duet during break in filming of motion picture "West Side Story."

(via LIFE archives)