My first draft of Jitterbug! had my protagonist Billy Rhythm expressing his love for girlfriend Tharbis Jefferson by tap dancing on the sidewalk below her Harlem tenement window. No music, no singing, just dancing. I'm letting his feet do the talking. In homage to Gene Kelly, a later draft has Billy jumping up on the lamp post, grabbing it and swinging around before leaping off into a split on the sidewalk in homage to the Nicholas Brothers --yeah, the actor who takes on this role will have to be one mighty fine dancer! Although I don't remember channeling The Bard at the time, William Shakespeare probably had a lot to do with setting up this scene although I've added two extra characters on that balcony and some humor. I look forward to someday soon seeing it come to life on the Great White Way.
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