I’m really happy with how West Side is going for many reasons. And you guys on stage crew definitely have a bird’s-eye view of what goes on onstage. Joy and I are rediscovering each other in many ways. We needed our break so she could focus on Les Misérables and so I could focus on my life. But . . . well . . . let’s just say I think when two people are destined for each other nothing can get in the way of that. Sort of the theme of West Side Story. Seems everything happens when it is supposed to and for the right reasons.
Can’t imagine any favor I would need from you, but you never know. So, thanks.
Take care, and here’s a stage crew tip: Be careful around the flats after you paint them. The weight of the wet paint sometimes makes them fall.
Matt Bloom
Dear Matt,
Thanks again for taking the envelope. You are a world-class GOOD FRIEND. You have no idea how good NOT having that in my house is for me and the town itself.
Getting to be Maria is such a savior for me, Matt. And I just totally relate to her. She is in love with someone she shouldn’t technically be in love with. But the heart wants what the heart wants. And what Maria wants is dangerous, and she knows her friends look down on it, and she knows that the entire town would freak out if she were to go the distance with Tony. But guess what, Matt? Maria is a strong woman, and she doesn’t care what anyone thinks. Tony is the only one in the world that makes her feel alive, and by hook or by crook she is gonna let herself fall for him. I think Maria is as surprised by this revelation as anyone. She was just livin’ her life, layin’ out her plans. She could never have expected this guy from the other side of the tracks just poppin’ into her world and rearrangin’ her entire blueprint.
I noticed that giant Freshman note-thief Pam girl on stage crew. As the main lead in West Side I have a lot of power (although I don’t think of it as power as much as I consider it leadership), but you give me the word and I will have her escorted out of the theater. Is she bothering you? Is her presence in our sacred space an everyday reminder of darker times? You tell me, Matt. Whatever you need me to do, please do trust I will do it and how.
I will say I am pleasantly surprised by Joy’s talent. She is pretty darn good. I can’t say if she has a future in the performing arts, but she’s not half-bad. Are you guys gettin’ along okay? I see you crackin’ jokes and havin’ conversation, but I know you so friggin’ well and I know that you are just kind (especially to third leads). I am pretty sure her name won’t be above the title on our playbills, but I will check on that just to be sure. And if you absolutely don’t want her name above-title like our names, gimme the signal and I will take care of that. She did dump you, and although you were evolved about it, a dump is a dump is a dump no matter how you slice it.
Tickets for Prom go on sale soon. Did you see the banner in the hallway for it? The theme is “Hold On to the Nights.” Not sure if you recall, but that’s one of the songs I had put on the Camel Lot mix I made you.
I wonder who I’ll go with now that I’m single? Kurt Cutter is wicked hot, don’t you think? Hmmm . . . who will I go to Senior Prom with? Would you ever in a million, billion years go to a Senior Prom as a Freshman? Not that you’re a typical Freshman, but still. Would you? Lemme know just as a question of curiosity. You know me, Matt, I love learnin’ new things about you. Who knows, though . . . maybe me and Stacey will just be dates as we’re both single and happier than ever! So much success in Nashville, the lead in the most anticipated musical South High has ever done, Prom around the corner, and any minute now I will be receivin’ my acceptance letter from New York University (that is long for NYU, Matt. Home to one of the premier acting schools in the country, not to mention the University itself is a stone’s throw from the most important place in the world . . . Broadway!) Life as we know it just keeps gettin’ better and better, Matt!
Te adoro, Anton . . .
Tara
To-est Tara,
I don’t know why, but I needed to share my news with you before I share it with anyone else. Tara . . . I got into Northwestern!!
My parents have never been so happy, and I have to tell you, neither have I!! I know I kind of made the possibility of getting into Northwestern seem like something I didn’t care too much about, but now that I’ve gotten in I can be honest with myself and say I was just shielding myself from the chance I didn’t make the cut. I was so worried that my parents would be crushed. But I guess I will never know if my fears were right because, oh my god . . . I got in!!!
Okay, I do know why I had to share this first with you. You are my best friend. And it’s only with true best friends that you have this need to tell them great things first. You know, before the parents tell their friends and those friends tell their kids and then before you know it everyone knows. You know first. Just know that.
I can’t even believe I will be living in Chicago in what? Five months. Chicago!!! I know you’re going to say, “It’s freezing there,” but I am going on a shopping spree to buy everything I will need to survive the Windy City. My parents say the first thing we are doing when they move me into my dorm room is unpack, make it pretty, but the first real thing is to go directly to their favorite deep-dish pizza place! I am not going to ask that dreaded question “Have you heard yet about NYU?” But Tara . . . have you? Sorry, that’s annoying. I am just excited to know where you will be so we can just know!!
I have to say that when I opened my acceptance letter I started to bawl. Not because I got in but because you weren’t sitting with me. We weren’t holding hands. We were supposed to be holding hands for every college envelope. So, if you haven’t gotten yours yet, will you let me be there, holding your hand?
I have had enough time to process everything between us, Tar. I don’t want to be mad at you anymore. I just don’t. But I also don’t want to start this next huge chapter of our lives going in and out of craziness. Not that we can’t argue or even fight . . . that happens. But we can’t flat out mistreat each other. You can’t flat out throw me away, throw our history and our trust away when you’re feeling down. Does that make sense? I love you and our friendship too much for that. And I believe strongly that you do, too.
We have five months left. Not even, as I am going to spend the summer on Nantucket. And yes, the invite still stands. Can we please go to the cottage after graduation?
Diego and I discussed this, and we want to invite you to be our Prom date. I know you’re thinking, “Third wheel. No thanks.” But it’s not like that. It’s our Senior Prom. It’s “Hold On to the Nights.” Let’s just go and have the best time ever and hold on to the night. Together. Let me know, okay? And we also have to book a limo from Kurt Cutter’s dad. I heard they are already getting rented.
Love you, T-Murphs . . .
Soup
To-est my BB MINKEY!!!
Chicago is about to become the LUCKIEST CITY IN AMERICA!!! I knew you would get into Northwestern and you know I knew that!! I am so proud of you, Steffed Animal!
I am crying right now I am so happy you are letting me back in. I triple pinky swear (what am I, a three-pinkied person? Tee-hee, tee-hee) that I hear you loud and clear. I get it (IT). I really do!
Okay, Miss Northwestern . . . expect a call from me the second I open my mailbox and see my acceptance envelope from NYU, which should be any day now!! You are definitely holdin’ my hand, and that is that. (Q believe you’re gonna be in Chicago and I’m gonna be in New York City? I knew our hard work and daydreamin’ would get us to major cities and far, far away from this provincial town!! I wonder if there’s a train that goes right from your dorm to my dorm, tee-hee, tee-hee!! Do you think there is one?)
So sweet of you and Diego to ask me to Prom. You cuties. Let’s definitely book a limo (doesn’t have to be a stretch ’cuz god knows we don’t need extraneous people), but yes, let’s book one. Give me a beat to decide about taggin’ along with you and Diego, k?
&n
bsp; Love you!
Tar
P.S. A million percent YES to post-graduation cottage! I can’t wait to see this Nantucket you and Stacey speak so highly of!
Tara,
I am totally fine with having Pammy Shapiro on stage crew. She needs the experience, and I am so far past that time in my life, your life, our life. So, yes, she’s fine. Thanks, though, I appreciate you lookin’ out for my best interests. It feels really good being back to normal with you. And I love every day we get to rehearse opposite each other.
I’m so relieved you and Joy are getting along. I have been noticing that, and it makes me so happy. Especially because you are a good friend of mine, and Joy is, well . . . let’s just say she is very special to me, and I’m glad you guys are getting to know each other.
You know, it’s funny about Senior Prom. I thought I would never even consider going to another grade’s Prom, but never say never, right? You taught me that. Stacey asked me to be her date. She wants to go with a close friend and just have a great, fun time. It’s crazy, but when you were mad at me you sort of guessed this would happen. But under totally different circumstances because Stacey and I are just great friends and nothing more. She said we will be going in a limo with Stef and Diego and you and . . . Kurt Cutter? That would be awesome. I’ve heard he’s a really good guy, and even though Chris is my across-the-street neighbor I think it’s time for you to be with a good guy. Ya know? Do you know what I mean?
Te adoro, Maria . . .
Matt
P.S. My fingers are crossed for you about NYU. Please let me know how that goes?? Of course I know that New York University is long for NYU. That was wicked funny of you, though. It’s my number one college choice too (even though it’s sooo far down the line. But can you imagine if you were a Senior there when I was a Freshman?)
My Talented Tara,
I am still stunned. I went to bed hoping I would wake up and realize you not getting into NYU was a terrible nightmare. I’ve never wished for a nightmare to be true more than I did for you, for this.
You had no reaction to the rejection letter, which I thought was such an incredible sign of who you are and how much you’ve grown! You are so inspiring. Are you sure it’s okay that I left when I did? I know you said it was but just double-checking on that.
You have so many more letters to get, and I know you know this, but I have to say again that I have so much faith that so many of them will be ACCEPTANCE LETTERS, TARA!!
NYU’s loss, Tara! Not yours!
I love you so much,
Stef
Stef,
I had no reaction because I just sort of went into deep meditation about it. I’m not viewin’ the letter from NYU as a rejection letter as much as I am a “You’re too good for our school” letter, sooo . . .
Anyway . . . so many more letters to come! And no matter where I end up I for sure hope there’s a train from my dorm to yours!
Yeah . . . I’m good, Stef. Wicked chill and calm and not even fazed and stuff.
xoxo,
Tara
Dear Tara,
Any word on your NYU acceptance? Been thinking about that so much! So eager for you!!
Your good friend,
Matt
Hey Matt,
Thank you so much for your wicked eager note!! I know this is gonna probably bum you out tremendously (because of your cutesy vision of us bein’ at University together and somehow duplicatin’ this whisper-in-time-of-a-year), but alas, I’ve made the very, veeery deeply thought-thru and composed decision NOT to attend New York University.
So sorry that your vision won’t come to light, Matt. While I feel bad about that, I couldn’t just go around makin’ plans for my future ’cuz of Matt Bloom’s hopes and desires. You get that, I know you do.
I’m quite thrilled I finally made my choice as I was ponderin’ and ponderin’ and you know how I feel about CHOICES, Matt. I make ’em and then I move on! So guess what, M. Bloom? Movin’ on.
So OH MY GOODNESS, YOU’RE COMING TO MY PROM!! Between CHOOSING to pass on NYU and news of you goin’ with Stacey Simon to MY Prom . . . well, you can imagine how elated I am!!! I’m so elated, Matt, I bet I could fill a banquet hall with balloons that I breathed the helium into from my very own elated lungs!
Well, I for one am just overJOYed, Matt!! Oh my GOD, and that we are all goin’ in a limo together?!!! What could possibly make for a more celebratory end of my high school experience? I’ven’t a clue!
ALL MY BEST,
Tara
P.S. Who am I goin’ to Prom with? You and the rest of the town will just have to wait and see. K?
MAY 1992
To-est my Soup!!!!!
I literally cannot stop thinking about yesterday! Talk about the most unreal and surreal day of my life! I will never ever forget holding your hand (the hand of my best friend) while I ripped open not one, not two, but THREE acceptance letters!!! Oh my god!!! I guess here comes the hard part. Where to go to University?? I know, there are way worse problems to have! I am so beyond glad I didn’t “get into” NYU!! First of all, it’s not nearly as good a school as people try to make it out to be, and I’ll be moving to New York anyway for my career, which is way better than goin’ there to attend some average college! I know you agree.
And I swear to god if we hadn’t gone for Chinese after (and if we hadn’t been through these crazy Senior year ups and downs), we would never have run into Kev Brandolini. My god, does that guy get hotter and hotter. No wonder everyone just calls him Brando. When we first saw him you pinched me ’cuz my jaw was literally in my hot and sour soup, Soup. Thanks for the pinch, by the way . . . wouldn’t be the greatest time for a third-degree burn on my FACE!
Stefanie Campbell, I will never forget the friggin’ look on your face when I asked Brando if he wanted to go to Prom with me. You almost blacked out! I was totally just kidding with him, but then he said yes, and I was like, “I’m sorry, what?” And you were like, “Wait, really?” Good thing we booked the mid-size limo, Stef, ’cuz Brando is so muscular and tall! Not that Diego isn’t, but . . .
Ya know, my fortune cookie was right: “Don’t look back or you might fall in the pothole in front of you.” And look back on what, even? Christopher cheatin’ on me with Kathy Connery? Him breaking up with me and taking back a chintzy claddagh ring? I don’t think so. If I were to look back it would only be to thank the past for getting me to the greatest time in my life.
Three colleges accepted me! I’m Maria, for christsakes! And now I am going to Senior Prom with Kev Branolini, who just happens to be, oh, I don’t know, the hottest guy this town has ever seen (except for Diego, duh!)!
We have the best limo ever! You and Diego, our dear friend Stacey and the sweet-as-can-be Matt Bloom, and me and Brando! I heard Chris is just goin’ stag with Tzoug and Dube. I don’t even know if they’re goin’ in a limo. But, not my business.
I can feel the end of high school, Stef. We are so close! And it’s just gonna be smooth sailin’ now. We have nothing to worry about except for having a great time. Oh my god, am I grateful you told me not to paper the town with those incriminating photos of Chris and Kathy. I could’ve destroyed a lot of lives in the wake of that, and for what? Nope. I stayed classy and above it because of you, BB MINKEY. And now “Karma (Chameleon)” is on my side!
Love you, Miss Northwestern,
Tara “Which College Will I Choose” Murphy
Matty Matt!
Hey there, ole buddy, ole pal! I don’t want you to be the last to hear it, as I’m sure this news will be swirlin’ around South High soon enough . . . but not only did I get into my top three colleges (I know, has that ever happened to anyone? And thank god I CHOSE to decline NYU . . . they don’t even have a proper campus, Matt . . . sure, people say, “The city is its campus,” but come on . . . there’s NO QUAD), but I am also goin’ to Prom with KEV BRANDOLIN
I. I know I told you of him decades ago, but to refresh your memory he is older than me (I know, right?), and he’s the most athletic guy ever, and he just happens to be drop-dead gorgeous. Brando and I are so thrilled to be sharin’ a limo with you and the lovely and beautiful Stacey Simon (as well as with Stef and Diego—a dynamic couple in their own right).
Will you do me one last favor? I swear it is my last one ever. Could you either burn or shred the envelope I gave you? I just want it gone forever.
Thanks, Tony Tony Tony, and MWAH . . .
Tara
Dear Tara,
It’s May, so my dad isn’t making fires in the fireplace right now. I guess I could figure out a way to shred the envelope, sure. But why? What the hell is in this envelope?
Awesome about your Prom date. I think I remember you saying something about Kev Brandolini. He’s not the jerk that unlocked and opened the car door . . . no, wait, that was Tommy or Timmy something, right? Maybe Kev was the guy with all the Christmas trees? I don’t know, but either way it’s gonna be such a fun night.
Matt
Dear Matt,
It’s gonna be the best night ever! Prepare to “Hold On to the Night(s).” And yes, Matt. Kev Brandolini is the one with all those Christmas trees (and horse stables, etc., etc.), and I’ve no doubt he will be wicked nice to you and give you the time of day! He’s definitely not your typical beyond-gorgeous tall-and-ripped guy who thinks so highly of himself that he doesn’t acknowledge other guys just ’cuz they’re shorter and not as built. You think I would go to Prom with an arrogant guy like that? NEH-VER!!
Folded Notes from High School Page 13