<P> Throughout the rehearsal period, the New York newspapers were filled with articles about gang warfare, keeping the show's plot timely . Robbins kept the cast members playing the Sharks and the Jets separate in order to discourage them from socializing with each other and reminded everyone of the reality of gang violence by posting news stories on the bulletin board backstage . Robbins wanted a gritty realism from his sneaker - and jeans - clad cast . He gave the ensemble more freedom than Broadway dancers had previously been given to interpret their roles, and the dancers were thrilled to be treated like actors instead of just choreographed bodies . As the rehearsals wore on, Bernstein fought to keep his score together, as other members of the team called on him to cut out more and more of the sweeping or complex "operatic" passages . Columbia Records initially declined to record the cast album, saying the score was too depressing and too difficult . </P> <P> There were problems with Oliver Smith's designs . His painted backdrops were stunning, but the sets were, for the most part, either shabby looking or too stylized . Prince refused to spend money on new construction, and Smith was obliged to improve what he had as best he could with very little money to do it . </P> <P> The pre-Broadway run in Washington, D.C. was a critical and commercial success, although none of the reviews mentioned Sondheim, listed as co-lyricist, who was overshadowed by the better - known Bernstein . Bernstein magnanimously removed his name as co-author of the lyrics, although Sondheim was uncertain he wanted to receive sole credit for what he considered to be overly florid contributions by Bernstein . Robbins demanded and received a "Conceived by" credit, and used it to justify his making major decisions regarding changes in the show without consulting the others . As a result, by opening night on Broadway, none of his collaborators were talking to him . </P> <P> It has been rumored that while Bernstein was off trying to fix the musical Candide, Sondheim wrote some of the music for West Side Story, and that Bernstein's co-lyricist billing mysteriously disappeared from the credits of West Side Story during the tryout, presumably as a trade - off . However, Suskin states in Show Tunes that "As the writing progressed and the extent of Bernstein's lyric contributions became less, the composer agreed to rescind his credit...Contrary to rumor, Sondheim did not write music for the show; his only contribution came on "Something's Coming", where he developed the main strain of the chorus from music Bernstein wrote for the verse .) </P>

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