Carnegie Hall 125th Anniversary: ‘Somewhere Project’ Explores ‘West Side Story’

Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story is perhaps the most pivotal musical of the 20th Century, pivotal not only for its timeless themes but also for its revolutionary use of music in connection with choreography. For Carnegie Hall’s 125th Anniversary, the Weill Music Institute is paying homage to this giant among musicals with a venture called the Somewhere Project. At the center of this event will be three full performances of West Side Story at the Knockdown Center in Queens, NY from March 4th-6th, 2016. In addition to the full performances, neighborhood concerts will be set up across the five boroughs to further promote the project.

The Knockdown Center, a converted factory, presents an interesting challenge for the performers. Located in Maspeth, the former glass & door factory contains a wide open space of 50,000 square feet, which, after an extensive renovation, now enables the production of unique performances, exhibitions, and cultural events. Spurred by Carnegie Hall's 125th anniversary, the West Side Story performances will make use of this space, with an ensemble conducted by Marin Alsop (former Bernstein protégée) and the production directed by Amanda Dehnert.

In addition to the performance itself, the Somewhere Project will be organizing a series of forums and also events called “Neighborhood Concerts”, discussing the central theme of West Side Story as a hopeful, if tragic tale, that confronts the challenges of cultural relations, specifically in New York City. From these challenges, the music of West Side Story ironically exemplifies the blending of these cultures with its dramatic fusion of jazz, symphonic tradition, Latin jazz, cabaret, etc. – styles that will be re-encouraged for the creation of new songs soon to be performed in neighborhoods throughout the city.

In light of Carnegie Hall’s 125th anniversary, the Somewhere Project arose from an argument that the legacy of West Side Story results not only from its musical triumphs, but from an uncanny relevancy in today’s world, even after 58 years. Long-held values of New York City—diversity and cultural fusion—though often in a state of conflict still continue to drive the creative process for many local artists. In memory of Leonard Bernstein's work, the Somewhere Project is assertively connecting the conflicts of the 1950s with the conflicts of today, and intends to dredge up the art within the fire.