> > > I haven't seen any literal translations of Shakespeare into modern English, but I think the
> > > plots still stand up (look at West Side Story!).
> >
> > That's certainly true, and it's a testament to the timelessness of Shakespeare's work. I
> > certainly have no objection to more creative Shakespeare derivatives than literal modern
> > English translations. "West Side Story" is one of the greatest films made in its decade.
>
> I've got to ask - how much *does* West Side Story borrow from Romeo and Juliet? (Spot the sad person who's never seen WSS.) Is it just the plot?
>
> 'Coz if so, it's a bad choice to illustrate the timelessness of Shakespeare's work - our Will nicked the plot off someone else...
>
> Paul
I saw West Side Story with Russ, Natalie, and Rita. It's too bad the Bard didn't write music like that.
A little theatre group at Crossville, Tennessee is doing WSS this summer. I think I might go see it.
I've seen Oklahoma, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof and several other musicals there and they always do a professional job. The theatre is called the Cumberland County Playhouse.
Howard