When You’re A Jet [West Side Story]: A Dancer’s Extraordinary, Ordinary Life Hardcover – 12 Nov. 2021

David Bean soars through the air with ease and gusto, and yet is completely down to earth.I love it — what a rollicking memoir.From Cyril Ritchard and Mary “Peter Pan” Martin to Natalie Wood and Helen Keller. From the haircutting skill of Perry Como onward to choreographer and director Jerome Robbins, as well as Sammy Davis Jr.It’s one thing for a Jay Gatsby to pride himself on his waterfront estate, but most red-blooded men would rather have the bragging rights of a dancing Bean who once jitterbugged the night away on “that slender riotous island” with Marilyn Monroe!When young David was part of the London production of ‘West Side Story’ — sharing a flat near Buckingham Palace with another troupe member — the two of them were brave enough to invite Noel Coward over for a fancy leg of lamb dinner.If you’re driving near the Hudson Valley (specifically Clinton Corners NY), stop in at the Bean family deli for a hot sandwich — and be regaled by David with marvelous showbiz anecdotes.We’ll all be looking for him in his cameo role in Spielberg’s version of ‘West Side Story.’

David Bean describes his life as both extraordinary and ordinary. The fact revealed in his highly entertaining book "When You're a Jet", is that his energy, joie de vivre and sheer determination have turned it from ordinary to extraordinary. Join that with being there at the creation of the most revolutionary musical of the last 75 years, of being then when West Side Story was reborn through the artistry of Steven Spielberg, and you have a unique first hand view of musical theater history. David has had the good fortune of many people who love him, especially his extraordinary wife Jeanne Bean whom he met in the original London production of "West Side." Best of all, an avid collector of a lifetime's memorabilia, the book is richly illustrated to give you a full sense of being there. Highly recommended!

The film adaptation of “West Side Story” has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Of course I had crushes on many of the dancers. One in particular was handsome redhead David Bean, who played Tiger. So when I heard about his memoir, I was very interested and made an advance order.Bean provides a thorough background on his own life, including being a dancer in the Broadway and London productions of “West Side Story.”Bean shares stories about the tough and yet fulfilling life of being a dancer in hit musicals and on TV shows, as well as the backstory of dancing in the streets of New York City to film the adaptation. Although described by others as a rough taskmaster who was eventually tossed from the film production, Dean gives choreographer co-director Jerome Robbins a fair assessment.Bean also discusses his other career highlights as well as his later family with a wife and daughter, and living in a quiet small town working with his wife to renovate houses. Toward the end, he devotes a chapter to his (too small) cameo in the recent Spielberg/Kushner remake of “West Side Story.”This is quite an uplifting memoir that shows you can make it in show business and then also put it aside and have a different successful career. Kudos to Bean, one of my favorite Jets.

What I liked the best was all the info about Cyril Ritchard (Captain Hook broadway 1955-1960) and David’s friendship with him.

This is a charming anecdotal book and the perfect companion to Our Story:Jets and Sharks! I wish all the Jets and Sharks would their autobiography! Thank you, Mr. Bean!!!