Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Something's Coming to ASF

Good morning...err...afternoon bloggers!

Everyone is buzzing in anticipation of the big summer musical headed our way on July 18th. Jets and Sharks are cruising through the halls and calling for rumbles to decide who's territory the kitchen falls in. Really now, guys, it isn't that big of a deal, especially with Office Krupke watching from the lobby and the girls in the costume department with "I'm so pretty" on loop.

Still not there, bloggers? Imagine on the festival stage the streets of New York, brightly colored costumes contrasting with the gray cement and glass skyscrapers of the urban jungle, and two gangs fighting for control over the same small piece of the city. The Jets are native born New Yorkers, proud that they've scraped up a bit of land to themselves and just as eager to protect it. The Sharks are from Puerto Rico, new to the city but looking for the elusive American Dream promised to everyone strong enough to take what they want from those too weak to protect it. Caught in the middle of this are our two lovers, two souls who with one look find the other half to make them complete. I know, it sounds like the same old story of boy meets girl but this story is filled with more than just a love story.

Need more help? The summer musical this year is West Side Story, and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival is so very excited to bring this musical to our stage, fully produced in house. That means everything is built here, all the rehearsals are held here, all of the actors live here during the run. We'll be updating on all of this and more as we get closer to the opening of the show, so keep checking back for more information on this piece of American Musical Theatre history.

I'll leave you now, bloggers, with a video of the original movie version of West Side Story singing the classic song "America" and I hope to see you at a production soon. Grab your tickets soon, because West Side Story won't be here for long.