Maria from west side story

"Maria" is a song from the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story, sung by the lead character Tony. The music was written by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The song was published in 1956. "Maria" is sung by the male lead Tony when he learns the name of the girl he's fallen in love with is "Maria".

Maria (Natalie Wood) or Maria from west side story is the lead female character in West Side Story.  Her character is based on Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, who immediately falls for Romeo during their first encounter. 

West side story maria 

Maria is a Puerto Rican immigrant. She was raised Roman Catholic and continues to pray regularly.  Maria is the younger sister of Bernardo, who came to America shortly before her to try and make a better life for himself and their family.  After she arrived in New York, Bernardo designated himself to be her protector and, to Maria's annoyance, often lords his status as older brother over her.  It was arranged for Chino, Bernardo's friend and fellow Shark member, to marry Maria, but Maria shows no interest in him.

As a new immigrant to the States, Maria is naive about American customs and lifestyles, and she is eager to take in the ambience at the upcoming dance, but Bernardo is determined to protect her, and charges Chino and Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend and Maria's closest friend and confidante, to keep an eye on her when he cannot.

Artist: Larry Kert 
Movie: West Side Story 
Released: 1957 

 

The two exchange stories about Chino and Tony, but before Maria can leave to meet Tony at Doc's, Lieutenant Schrank arrives to question her about the flare-up at the dance, so Maria fakes a headache and, using double talk, sends Anita to Doc's to inform Tony that she will be a little late. After Anita leaves, Schrank asks her about what happened at the dance, but Maria lies to protect Tony and tells Schrank that the flare-up was over another boy from Puerto Rico named Jose.

All of the Jets and Sharks arrive at the playground as Tony dies in Maria's arms.  The two gangs are about to fight yet again, but Maria angrily stops them.  Taking Chino's gun, Maria blames all of them for killing Riff, Bernardo and Tony, not so much with guns, but with their hatred.  Claiming that she now has hate, she is ready to kill and aims Chino's gun at Ice, but cannot bring herself to pull the trigger; she drops the gun and falls to her knees in tears.