DESCRIPTION:
Strong female characters, real world issues, and the timelessness of West Side Story allow the perpetuation of the tensions that the story introduces. Director Amanda Dehnert explains that the characters who comprise the world in the show create a truthful depiction of people trying to find their way in the world. The tragedy arises as they all try their best, but their best will never be enough. This is episode 20 of Soundfly's free series "The Somewhere Project." Watch the next video in the series at https://youtu.be/8f66Elc7cpE.

Learn more about the inevitable violent downward spiral of West Side Story by signing up for the full course at http://soundfly.com/westsidestory.

The Somewhere Project: A West Side Story Companion is part of Carnegie Hall's Somewhere Project, a new initiative drawing inspiration from West Side Story to redefine New York City as a "place for us." For more information, visit http://carnegiehall.org/westsidestory.

The course features interviews with some of the top experts, including:

Jamie Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein's daughter
Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Amanda Dehnert, acclaimed director and associate professor at Northwestern
Leslie Stifelman, music director of Chicago: The Musical
Melissa Rae Mahon, Broadway performer
Charles Burchell, cultural diplomat
Julio Monge, Broadway performer and choreographer
Carly Hughes, Broadway performer
Ryan Worsing, Broadway performer

The recording of "Somewhere" is from the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, performed by the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America.

Additional music was created by Martin D Fowler.