We saw the Hobby performance of West Side Story downtown this evening; the riveting 1957 musical against the backdrop of gang warfare in 1950’s New York. There aren’t enough positive descriptors for the performance given by Max von Essen in the title role as Tony. Absolutely fabulous performances by all with long standing ovations from a packed house! Like many other productions, it is premiering here before heading straight to Broadway. It opened to mixed reviews (think horrified conservative parents!) in the ‘50s and ran a measly 333 revival performances in 1980, blamed on misdirection and miscasting. The film version won the Academy’s Best Picture award 1961 and took two Tonys. Of course, you know the music; “Maria,” “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” “America,” and “One Hand, One Heart.” What you might not know is the original concept was of East Side young lovers whose families were in religious conflict. It was after several years of delay that “East Side Story” became West Side Story and the conflict became racial rather than religious.

May I just say again how much I've enjoyed having season tickets these last few years? Otherwise, I’m afraid I would always be “wanting to” or “intending to” but if those tickets are sitting in the drawer matched to dates marked on the annual calendar, well, I’m going.

P.S. Thanks to local nurse son-in-law who removed Mother’s stitches this noon and gave us a clean bill of health. Everyone agrees the wound is healing well and she will live to shuffle cards for bingo yet again.