I Feel Pretty…

Original Broadway 1957

“I feel pretty…and witty and gay. And I pity –" anyone staying at home tonight while I go to watch the West Side Story spectacular.

This musical Romeo & Juliet story was penned in 1955 and traces the street gang feuds of the 1930’s in L.A. The story is set in New York and is based on the volatile relationship between the Jets (whites) and the Sharks(Puerto Rican).

Love has no boundaries when a Jet (Tony) falls for the sister of a Shark (Maria). At the height of this street battle, lies lead to death, ultimately bringing down the division between the two rival gangs, as they carry the slain together.

There are parallels between the torrid relationship of Shakespeare’s Montagues and Capulets and the Jets and Sharks. Jerome Robbins bases the story on this conception. Lenard Burnstein writes the music and the book is written by Arthur Laurents.

You only need to refresh the delightful Shakespearean language from Romeo and Juliet to see how Robbins drew the parallels:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"
 William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 2.2


"A greater power than we can contradict Hath thwarted our intents."


William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 5.3


"For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."
 William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 5.3

"See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! 
O that I were a glove upon that hand, 
that I might touch that cheek!"
 William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 2.2

I adore musicals and have proudly seen at least these following 23:

1. Les Miserables (x 3 times)
2. The Sound of Music
3. Rent
4. Phantom of the Opera
5. Little Night Music
6. Oliver
7. Jesus Christ Super Star
8. Billy Elliot
9. Miss Saigon
10. Jersey Boys
11. Boy from Oz (Hugh Jackman version)
12. The Wizard of Oz
13. Huckleberry Finn
14. Mama Mia
15. Crazy for you (25 times when I worked as an usher at the State Theatre)
16. Hair
17. Peter & the Wolf
18. The Lion King
19. Guys & Dolls
20. Shane Warne the Musical
21. Beauty & The Beast
22. Into the Woods
23. The Full Monty

 Add to that, Westside Story tonight and Mary Poppins booked for November and you could say I was a musical junkie!