A heart-stirring romance of star-crossed love, feuding familias, and the bonds of sisterhood by USA Today bestselling author Priscilla Oliveras. Two familias in Texas, both alike in dignity, rivalries, and passion... Having grown up in the nurturing household of Casa Capuleta, Mariana will do anything for familia. To solve her adoptive parents' financial problems amid their rapidly changing San Antonio comunidad, Mariana and her younger sisters are determined to win the Battle of the Mariachi Bands. That means competing against Hugo Montero, their father's archnemesis, and his band and escalating a decades-old feud. It also raises the stakes of Mariana's forbidden attraction for a certain dark-eyed mariachi who sets her heart racing. To Angelo Montero's familia, Mariana is also strictly off-limits. But that doesn't stop him from pursuing her. As their secret affair intensifies and the competition grows fierce, they're swept up in a brewing storm of betrayals, rivalries, and broken ties. Against the odds, they vow to bring peace. But sacrifices must be made and consequences weighed for two star-crossed lovers to make beautiful music together.

West Side Gangster Crip was the set she claimed, and Baby Doll rode hard for her gang on the west side of St. Louis. Her partners in crime were a pair of brothers, Alan and Al Snow, whom she’d known since she was a little kid. Baby Doll and Alan were best friends, but his brother, Al, was the one who caught Baby Doll’s eye and they instantly go right into a whirlwind romance. Until tragedy strikes and Baby Doll is sent to prison. After serving a ten-year prison sentence, Baby Doll re-emerges in St. Louis carrying a love for her West Side Gangsta Crips and a secret that she’s been hiding from Al. As she gets re-adjusted to living on the outside, her love for Al is still present and they don’t waste anytime getting back familiar with one another. A reunion at Alan’s club brings Al face to face with his first love, and Baby Doll is as beautiful as ever. Al becomes caught up in his old feelings for Baby Doll forgetting to disclose his current relationship status, being engaged to another woman. They get re-acquainted and the love is still real, but Baby Doll isn’t as naïve as Al would like to believe. She knows that Al is hiding his relationship with another woman, and feels that maybe she should explore her options. Then enters Dip, a dashingly handsome advisory, named Dip, who is also a Blood, from the other side of their hood who has his eyes on Baby Doll. She’s not feeling Dip, because her gang ties hold true to her heart, and she’s a loyalist. It’s West Side Gangsta Crip til the death of her. However, their first encounter left a lasting impression on an already lust-filled Dip, who desires to possess Baby Doll, and have her by his side. Even if it means an all out war in the streets.

Baby Doll believed she could fly and leaped off the side of Raise the Bar but, as usual, Al was there to catch her fall from grace. However, this time it lands Baby Doll in a psychiatric center for a thirty-day observation, along side her soon to be daughter-in-law, who’s been depressed and not talking to anyone since Alan’s death. With vengeance and anger raging through Baby Doll, she refuses to be counted among the broken, and wages war against all those who brought death at her doorstep; starting with her fiancé, Dip. Dip went missing when Baby Doll didn’t show up at Paulette’s house for their wedding. He figured she’d gotten cold feet and ran off to New York, so he saught refuge in his PCP habit, liquor and Red until Paulette came with the news of Baby Doll’s whereabouts. He couldn’t believe she tried to kill herself, and wanted to go be by her side and rescue her away from the crazy house. The first thing on his agenda, marry Baby Doll before she disappears again. Now out, and married, Baby Doll puts her plan into action and schemes to bring Dip down along with his cronies for the death of her beloved best friend. Baby Doll used Alan being a live to will Cleo back around, and she jumped on board after learning Caesar was the one who pulled the trigger. Dip’s attempts to keep Baby Doll away from Al fell on deaf ears. And, when Dip catches Baby Doll and Al at Alan’s house having sex, he knows now more than ever that Al must go! Tempers run high and blood shed occurs when Dip experiences the one thing that could drive any man over the edge. Who will be left to live happily ever after?

A captivating, richly illustrated full account of the making of the ground-breaking movie classic West Side Story (1961). A major hit on Broadway, on film West Side Story became immortal-a movie different from anything that had come before, but this cinematic victory came at a price. In this engrossing volume, film historian Richard Barrios recounts how the drama and rivalries seen onscreen played out to equal intensity behind-the-scenes, while still achieving extraordinary artistic feats. The making and impact of West Side Story has so far been recounted only in vestiges. In the pages of this book, the backstage tale comes to life along with insight on what has made the film a favorite across six decades: its brilliant use of dance as staged by erstwhile co-director Jerome Robbins; a meaningful story, as set to Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's soundtrack; the performances of a youthful ensemble cast featuring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and more; a film with Shakespearean roots (Romeo and Juliet) that is simultaneously timeless and current. West Side Story was a triumph that appeared to be very much of its time; over the years it has shown itself to be eternal.

The classic novelization of one of Broadway's most enduring and beloved musicals, West Side Story. Maria is young and innocent and has never known love--until Tony. And Tony, searching for life beyond the savagery of the streets, has discovered love for the first time with her, too. But Maria's brother is the leader of the Sharks and Tony had once led the rival Jets. Now, both gangs are claiming the same turf and with tensions rising to the point of explosion, it seems there is no way to stop a rumble. Tony promised Maria that he would stay out of it. But will he be able to keep his word or will their newfound love be destroyed by violence or even death? Evocative and unforgettable, this novelization brings out all of the depth, drama, and beauty of one of the most enduring stories in the history of American theater.

It is said, "Everything in the dark comes to light..." Well, all of the skeletons are about to fall out of the closet. But, whose closet will it come from first? Because everyone has something to hide. Baby Doll abruptly left Dip's party after her argument with Al, making him look foolish in front of his family and friends. Dip was pissed and decided to confront her the next day, but his approach to the situation sets off a chain of events that will have lasting effects on everyone. An old demon resurfaces in Dip's life as a means to cope with Bay Doll running off to New York, as Alan is left to babysit a very dysfunctional Dip. Dottie feels its time to expose Baby Doll's secret because Al needs to know the truth. So, she and Emily drag Al off to New York to show him the daughter that he didn't know he had. And, when he sees Allie for the first time in church, his world is completely rocked when she calls Baby Doll, mama. It's a thin line between love and hate. And, the rage that ignites within Al could jeopardize his feelings for the love of his life. Jeffery, Baby Doll's father calls and warns his godson, Cleopus (Dip), that he is displeased with his actions towards his daughter. Dip reassures him that his intentions are good as he professes his love for Baby Doll. But his drug habit is causing problems with his rational thinking. He feels that Al needs to disappear in order for him and Baby Doll to be happy. However, it is difficult for him to make rational decisions, and Baby Doll is growing more and more impatient with his bizarre behavior. However, a turn of events will change the tide, giving Dip the upper hand towards his happiness. Will Baby Doll be able to cope with everything weighing down on her shoulders? Or, will she decide that another fate is best?

This series of contemporary plays includes structured GCSE assignments for use by individuals or groups. These include questions which involve close reading, writing and discussion. This play places the "Romeo and Juliet" story in a New York gang-warfare context.