Bryan had bought these tickets to see the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the Lincoln Centre (New York's version of the Sydney Opera House) and it had something to do with West Side Story. He did tell me all about it a while ago, but with all the different things I was doing I had forgotten what it was all about.
So when we rocked up to the Lincoln Centre to listen to the score to West Side Story Bryan reminded me what tonight was all about. "West Side Story" the movie had been digitally remastered in Hi-def and what was going to happen was they were going to run the Hi-def version of the movie (on a massive screen) and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra were going to play all the music live.
What made the night even more special was, in the audience were three special guests:
* Robert Wise - the producer of the original movie
* Russ Tamblyn - who played "Riff" in the movie (the lead actor from the "Jets" gang)
* George Chakiris - who played "Bernardo" in the movie (the lead actor from the "Sharks" gang).
It was amazing watching a classic movie musical with the music being played live.
At the end of each song the theatre would erupt in applause. The atmosphere in the concert hall was of happy nostalgia and after the movie was over when everyone was leaving people were humming their favourite tunes from "West Side Story" - myself included.
Thanks Sweetie for organising the tickets, it was a really fun night. Even thinking back on it now, it brings a smile to my face.
