All of this is food for thought, Thanks.
About the gunshot - I've probably told this story before, but...the first time I did the show, I was still in high school, playing in the pit for a summer youth production. This was in the early 80's, and the orchestra parts at the time were most certainly facsimiles of the originals. (Since then, MTI has done new, computerized sets.) In the pit piano part, at the a cappella "Somewhere" reprise where Tony dies, was a note that the pianist should play Maria's starting pitch at the same time as the gunshot, and then again very very softly before she sings, if needed. Obviously the idea was to "sneak" her the note during that loud moment. Which was a very cool responsibility lol, but it was also annoying, as I then really had to concentrate on watching for the gun to go off, instead of being able to "get into" the scene. But it was fun to be involved in that moment nevertheless. Since that time, in the newer parts, that instruction is gone, so now I feel like doing that was a part of the show's history that's gone away. If I ever get to do the show again, and it made sense to do, I would definitely put that note back in. :-)
In any case, as a result, I know a secret about that gunshot - always with a hint of piano D# underneath it - that most people would have no idea about. ;-) |
