Leonard Bernstein's world-famous musical transposes a classic 'Romeo and Juliet' story to the New York gang milieu of the 1950s. Jets versus Sharks: rivalries between their families thwart the budding love between Tony and Maria and lead to a spiral of violence. The numerous catchy tunes in Bernstein's score create an irresistible rhythmic pull.

Barrie Kosky and Otto Pichler's successful production at the Komische Oper Berlin radically purifies the piece. On an almost empty stage, only under a swarm of disco balls, the people take centre stage: in their pure emotions, longings - and in energetic choreographies.