Now, Here Is An Interesting Theatrical Innovation, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         Most people of my generation grew up with this album cover of "West Side Story" in their homes.  It was the film soundtrack, and its image captured the spirit of the movie.

                            Later, when I spread my wings and became a real Theater Queen, I learned to appreciate the Original Broadway Cast Album cover, with Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence running joyously past 419 West 56th Street, back in 1957.  For several summers, I would re-enact this in the same location, my arms joyously spread out, like Carol's.

                             "West Side Story," though tragic, is a perfect summer show, as it is set, then.  One day, while looking at a series of fire escapes on buildings in our neighborhood, a brilliant idea came to me, inspired by this cover.  Why not stage a production of "West Side Story" on building fire escapes????????

                                It would require massive overhaul in staging and choreography.  But can't one just picture the "Tonight Quintet" with everyone spread out on different fire escapes?  Of course, it would have to be done at night, by streetlight, and the orchestra would have to be inside one or more apartment near the fire escape, which might have to serve as entry points for the actors.

                                With the right cast, this could be the most innovative "West Side Story" ever.  Forget that thing that Ivo Van Hov tried to do; this would be truly innovative, giving the show a grounding in reality it had never had before.

                                     How about it, girls?  Who wants to see this new "West Side Story???????????"