City of Girls

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"Life is both fleeting and dangerous, and there is no point in denying yourself pleasure, or being anything other than what you are." In this unique love story set in the 1940s New York City theater scene, an older woman reflects on her youth with a mix of pleasure and regret. The narrative centers on nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris, who, after being expelled from Vassar College, is sent to live with her Aunt Peg, owner of the eccentric Lily Playhouse. Immersed in a vibrant world filled with unconventional characters—showgirls, a charming male actor, a grand-dame actress, a dashing writer, and a pragmatic stage manager—Vivian experiences the complexities of female sexuality and the intricacies of true love. A personal mistake leads to a professional scandal that upends her life, ultimately guiding her toward a deeper understanding of the freedom she seeks. Now at ninety-five, Vivian shares how these formative events shaped her life and the autonomy she embraced. "At some point in a woman's life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time," she reflects, celebrating the journey to becoming her true self. This narrative is infused with profound insights about human desire and connection, presenting a love story unlike any other.