Theatrical dream: playing Maria in WSS...?

Question

West Side Story is my favorite musical and favorite movie. For decades every now and then I'd dream about it: continuing the story, revising the story, being backstage or in a minor role in a production of it.

Well, a couple of nights ago I dreamed I was playing Maria! I'm not the type: I'm tall and large, I'm not a true soprano, and now I'm middle-aged. Now I wasn't on stage; I was in my college dorm room, and I was wearing a dull tan skirt and a blouse. I was listening to a radio announcement saying the person playing Maria in this production of WSS was missing. Then I realized that person was me! Now there was blood on my skirt, probably menstrual blood. I remembered that Maria is in the first scene of Act II, so I'd better hurry! I tried to remember what my lines where, and hoped I could fake it if I had to.

I went to the bathroom on the same floor as my dorm room (fifth floor). It was crowded, I assume with theatergoers.

(to be continued)

I used the toilet and wiped away blood with my skirt, hoping I could change clothes. I put some strange pink liquid (mouthwash?) in my mouth and spat into a very shallow sink that looked like it was made of brass. I had to shove by the theatergoers to get to the sink. I believe the dream ended there.

So I didn't actually have stage time in my dream, but I had the strong sense that I was supposed to be on stage.

(In real life, I'm currently rehearsing for a community theater production of Oliver! I'm in the chorus.)

I have a pretty good idea what this dream might mean, but I want to hear other people's feedback on it. Thanks!

Answer 1

It is a disturbing dream.

You play the virginal Maria the age old story of two lovers whose families keep them apart. Romeo and Juliet if you will.

The blood is the young man's impending death and the loss of virginity of the maiden. In both plays they have sex before they are married.

The brass sink can be a reference to childbirth as there is blood

It could represnt guilt as a holy water holder or baptismal font, the description was vague.

You seem to be afraid that people will know you are a poseur, I frequently dream that I never finished high school, I had bad grades, but I wrote papers for my kids and got A's.

It's my regret for wasting those years

Perhaps you regret not going out for better roles as a kid

You have morals and maybe don't appeove of the way the story really went, though Natlie Wood was lovely,and the Oliveia Hussey portrayal of Juliet was breathtaking.

PS my wife played Maria in high school, I played hookie

Answer 2

Hi!

You know what this dream means - but my guess would be that you are reminiscing about the endless possibilities that presented in your life when you were a pre-pubescent girl and the way they have turned out. What if you had done this, learned to do this, gone to such a place? Do you regret a missed opportunity?

Have to say it must be wonderful to have regular dreams about something you are clearly so passionate about. The way you are able to play with the script and outcomes in your dream and engage with the characters is wonderful Thank you for sharing this one.

Good wishes.