There's
a Place for Us (an open letter to Natalie Wood)
Dear Ms. Wood,
I love you. I know that sounds silly since you’re
dead but it’s a fact. I have been in love with
you for quite some time. In fact you were my first
love. I recently caught an airing of West Side Story
and all those feelings came rushing back. I felt it
was time to finally tell you how I felt.
I fell in love with you when I first saw you as Maria
in West Side Story. It’s funny because I didn’t
know your name was Natalie. I really thought your name
was Maria. I was pretty young when I first saw the
movie. I didn’t understand that the whole thing
wasn’t real.
I also thought that you were really singing. I remember
being so shocked to find out that it wasn’t you
singing those songs in the movie. Part of the reason
I fell in love with you was your beautiful voice – which
was really Marni Nixon’s voice – so I guess
in some way I fell in love with her as well. She’s
a nice lady. I once got to work with her. Did I mention
I’m an actor? And I remember thinking that in
some weird way I was also working with you.
But despite the fact that someone else was singing
the tunes, I still loved you. I also loved that movie.
That movie was one of the reasons that I wanted to
be an actor. Yeah, all that teenage angst and the dancing
and the music… everything was amazing! Although
I did think that Richard Beymer was a bit wimpy. But
I might have been judging him too harshly.
I guess I wanted it to be me you were dancing with
at the gym, crooning with on the fire escape and meeting
at the dress shop. I’ve actually gotten to play
the part of Tony a couple of times on stage. Did I
mention that I’m an actor? The first time was
in high school. I was young and green and had no clue
what I was doing but it was so much fun to be doing
West Side Story. I felt connected to you. The other
time was in college and I think I did much better then.
But both times I couldn’t help but imagine you
in the part of Maria. The girls I worked with were
fine but they couldn’t hold a candle to you.
But listen to me going on about myself.
So Zakharenko? That’s an interesting last name.
Your parents were Russian, right? I’m glad you
decided to change it to Wood. It’s so much simpler
and easy to remember. Zakharenko makes you sound like
a princess or a figure skater… or a hockey player.
Yeah, Wood was a good choice.
I also understand that you are about 5’2’’ tall.
Or were. Sorry. 5’2”, that’s so cute.
I always thought of you as being taller. I guess that’s
more of that movie magic they talk about, like the
singing. I’m 6’0” myself.
Yeah, I really loved you in West Side Story. I also
thought you were great in your other movies. I couldn’t
believe how hot you looked in Rebel Without a Cause!
Did you have fun making that movie? What was James
Dean like? You were also wonderful in Splendor in the
Grass. And how cute were you in Miracle on 34th Street!
I haven’t seen all your movies yet but I guess
that’s what Netflix is for. Oh, you probably
don’t know what that is. Well it’s a way
to get movies sent to your home, you view them and
then mail them back, and… you probably don’t
need to know how it works but suffice it to say that
in a few short days I’m going to get to see you
play Maggie the Cat in the1976 TV movie version of
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Laurence Olivier as Big
Daddy. Awesome! Maybe I could play Big Daddy some day.
Did I mention that I’m an actor?
I love you, Natalie Wood. It’s people like you
who make people like me want to be better. Make them
want to strive for more. Make them want to become actors.
Did I mention that I’m an actor? Your beauty,
youth and timelessness will be forever preserved on
film. I hope that you will inspire generations to come.
I know you’ve inspired me and for that I am eternally
grateful.
