West Side Story

Dear Inaginary Friends,

Which of the above three people are convincing gang members? If you guessed none of the above, I am inclined to agree with you!

In Signature Theater's new production of West Side Story, the casting requires a real suspension of disbelief by theater goers. 

Not only do the gang members seem less than threatening (much less murderous, ) they are dressed like preppies! Take the example of Tony, a main gang character. He has a sweet baby face and wears khakis, yet we are expected to see him as dangerous. I can picture him in an Eagle Scout ceremony. 

Other than that, the ambitious production with a full orchestra and  30 actors soars with fabulous music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Steven Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins. Credentials like that cannot be surpassed in the theater world. 

My favorite songs are Tonight, Maria, I Feel Pretty, America, and Somewhere. 

The most sizzle is found in the performance of Anita, although she appears to be ten years older than the part calls for. 

All in all, younger, tougher-looking actors would help the play achieve the verisimilitude it lacks. 

So says me. Clothing and costumes are also incongruous. 

Signature's "Cabaret" was a better production with far more convincing performances. 

Your Imaginary Theater Goer,

Patsie

Diner, with Songs by Sheryl Crow

Dear Imaginary Friends,

We recently attended the play "Diner," at Signature Theater. The story was not the most compelling thing about it. The voices were -- so soaring and sweet in the many ballads, that I cannot imagine ever hearing . better anywhere.

The acting and dancing were also Broadway calibre. 

The story is based on Barry Levinson's youth in Baltimore, which was previously released as a feature film, also entitled Diner. 

The songs were written by Sheryl Crow, both music and lyrics. I fell in love with several, including "Please Be There," "Don't", and especially "Tear Down this House," and "Letting Go. " Wow. I also liked "It's Good."

The music really was original and added to the plot line.  Brava, Sheryl Crow! This play belongs on Broadway. 

The fifties were very mysogynistic, and the plot plays that up. It made me squirm. 

The set was terrific. To add to the magic, the lobby was made over into an ersatz Silver Diner. I loved it! 

The downside? Most of the male characters were very hard to like. If I were the writer, I would give them all a rosier future, especially Fenwick. And perhaps a better understanding of women's equality. And lastly, the writer should lose the stripper scene. Not appealing. 

Your imaginary theater lover,

Patsie

The set, below. 

The Arlington House of Robert E. Lee

Situated on a high hill above the Arlington Memorial Bridge, the Arlington House enjoys a sweeping view of the Washington, DC envisioned by Pierre L'Enfant so many years ago. 

Sight lines extend from the Capital Building to the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River.

Inside the home are beautiful antiques from the Civil War era and family portraits of Robert E. Lee and his extended family. Robert E. Lee was offered the post of Commander of the Union troops as the Civil War began to brew. Because of his Southern family ties, he felt that he had no choice but to abandon his home in Arlington  and head South, where he led the Confederacy in battle. 

During the war, the Union occupied his home and then expropriated it. In an act of final revenge, the Union converted his acreage into a Union soldier cemetary.  It is today known as Arlington Cemetary. 

The Purple Coneflowers

What is the path least traveled? Maybe this one in Arlington. 

For sale, 5" x 7". $175. Painted this Tuesday. Comes in black wooden frame.