Sunday, not this past Sunday but the one before that, was the day that West Side Story migrated to its new home at the Grand Theater (on ARTSblock). And when I say West Side Story, I mean not just props and set but cast as well.

Daily we congregated in our representation of Hell’s Kitchen circa the 1950’s, and watched as love took hold in spite of racial barriers, only to be killed off by those same barriers. Our director summed it up when he explained that “It’s not a story about love at all. It’s a story about hate. It’s about how hate can kill love.” Also there was singing and dancing.

After the move we had tech rehearsals on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, followed by six shows over the next four days. And then it was done. The Saturday evening show rocked the house. Sunday’s matinee was followed by a brief strike, and the Grand was left with an almost cavernous feeling of emptiness. Before I left, I stood on the empty stage with mixed feelings. It’s always sad when a show ends, but I am grateful to have been a part of it and work with such a talented and friendly group of people, and thanks to Facebook I can actually keep in touch with them.

On the other hand, I am similarly grateful to regain ownership of my evenings, which I am inevitably using for other work rather than the video games they were intended for.