In both stories, the main characters are young and passionate, and they fall in love despite the obstacles that their families or communities place in their way. Romeo and Juliet are from different families, and their families are feuding, while Tony and Maria are from different ethnic backgrounds, and their communities are at war with each other.
Both stories end in tragedy, with the deaths of the main characters. Romeo and Juliet take their own lives, while Tony is killed by Maria's brother, Bernardo.
Despite the similarities between the two stories, there are also some key differences. Romeo and Juliet is set in Italy, while West Side Story is set in New York City. Romeo and Juliet are both teenagers, while Tony and Maria are in their early twenties.
The themes of Romeo and Juliet are love, fate, and tragedy, while the themes of West Side Story are love, prejudice, and violence.
Overall, Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story are two love stories that share many similarities, but also have some key differences.