If you were asked to name the first appearance of Natalie Wood in West Side Story, you might answer “The award-winning Hollywood film of 1961, in which she starred as Maria,” and you would be correct.
Sort of.
Since this site is dedicated to the stage productions of the masterwork, we are obliged to point out that, in fact, and to your great surprise, Natalie Wood made an appearance in the original production on Broadway in September of 1957.
Sort of.
Keen-eyed readers of the highly recommended The Making of West Side Story by Keith Garebian might already be aware of this exceedingly little known fact. You are welcome to check your copy of the book before clicking the answer button below, but we know you better than that.