Dance at the Gym

I just watched West Side Story for what might have been the millionth time in my life.  But I haven't seen it for many years.

When I was in junior high school, I thought it was the most amazing movie/musical of all time.  I was torn between wanting to be Maria and Anita.  Rita Moreno was a powerhouse in that film.  And her costumes were amazing.  But Maria was so small and fragile.  It was a hard choice in my imaginary world.  Maria got to be girly silly playing with dresses and pretty fabric during I Feel Pretty!
My favorite scene is the Dance at the Gym.  The Jets dancing at the beginning...The Mambo with Rita Moreno setting the scene on fire...and then...the very best part:  the first time Maria and Tony meet.  I love the little lean when they start dancing and the snapping.  *sigh*
 Watch the Dance at the Gym here.
And to top off the romantic notions of a 13 year old girl in small town Nebraska, my parents had the song "One Hand, One Heart" at their wedding in the late '60s.  The thought of my parents loving each other that much was too much for my little heart to bear.
After I'd listened to the soundtrack over and over, I decided to try a different version.  So I saved up my money and bought this version on LP at the local record store.  Again, in small town Nebraska circa 1983, they had to special-order the record.  And I had to wait.  And when it finally arrived:  it was magical.

Tonight, I didn't cry at the end.  But I cried a lot while Maria and Anita sing their duet.

A Boy Like That/I Have a Love

Maybe it's because I'm 41 years old and not the innocent 13 year old girl from my past, but I feel for Anita.  Her pain is palpable but she still has a heart in the end.

"When love comes so strong,

There is no right or wrong,

You love is your life"