Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute to Present THE SOMEWHERE PROJECT
In celebration of Carnegie Hall's 125th anniversary, the Weill Music Institute (WMI) has launched The Somewhere Project, a citywide exploration of West Side Story. This extensive creative learning project is engaging people through events in all five boroughs of New York City, plus those outside the city through online content, all anchored by a large-scale production of West Side Story, the classic American musical based on a conception by Jerome Robbins, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents.
Carnegie Hall's presentation of West Side Story, in three performances only March 4, 5, and 6, 2016, will take place at the Knockdown Center, a restored 50,000 square foot former glass and door factory in Maspeth, Queens, now serving as an art and event space. The musical will star Skylar Astin (Spring Awakening original cast on Broadway, the films Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2) as Tony, Morgan Hernandez, an 18-year-old phenom making her New York debut as Maria, and Bianca Marroquín (Chicago, In The Heights, The Pajama Game on Broadway) as Anita. Conceived as an immersive celebration of community and connection, this production of West Side Story is directed by Amanda Dehnert, and Marin Alsop, a protégé of Leonard Bernstein's, will serve as musical director and conductor, with professional artists in lead roles and the participation of 200 high school students from around the city both in the cast and in a chorus specially created for this presentation. "With The Somewhere Project and West Side Story," said director Amanda Dehnert, "we're looking to really focus on the voices of the next generation and what they might have to say about the New York that they want to live in. In order to really do West Side Story justice, you want to produce it in this city. You want to be in this city where the people of New York can see the story, can talk about the story, and can hopefully be motivated to make change in their own communities based on what the story tells us. I hope that our production and the song 'Somewhere' can be a lightning rod for people to think about making a world that has a little less pain in it, and more hope." Musical director and conductor Marin Alsop said, "The themes and the moral of the story-youth and independence, and wanting to be your own person and make your own decisions, but being hampered by conflict and prejudice-are what really resonate with us, even today. There are so many things that resonate so sadly with us right in this very moment of history. I think we have the chance to have an open dialogue about these issues. This project is so compelling for me and feels so close to my heart because it brings together my adoration and love for this man, Leonard Bernstein, with this idea that story and music can change the world." A two-part public forum on West Side Story will take place in Carnegie Hall's Resnick Education Wing on January 24. Panel discussions explore the ways in which West Side Story illuminates social issues in both 1950s and present day New York and how social issues can be addressed through the arts. Also leading up to the performances, the Weill Music Institute will support the creation of new songs by students and community members, each inspired by the themes of West Side Story. This original music, created by participants in WMI programs and workshops, will be featured in free Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concerts in all five boroughs throughout the month of February. The Somewhere Project extends throughout New York City with the participation of partner arts organizations and community groups. New works created through these partnerships across all artistic disciplines will be shared online and at events throughout the city. Some of this new work created in WMI workshops and partner events will be exhibited on site at the Knockdown Center prior to the West Side Story performances. Experiencing West Side Story as a celebration of community and music will encourage artists and audiences alike to consider the work's timeless themes, inviting all to embrace the vision of New York City as a "place for us." Those outside New York City can participate too, through online content, including a free companion course about the history and social issues that inspired West Side Story and through social media via #SomewhereProject, collected online at carnegiehall.org/SomewhereProject/Gallery.Click here for a complete guide to events.WEST SIDE STORY PERFORMANCES
Carnegie Hall's presentation of West Side Story will take place on Friday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the Knockdown Center, a restored 50,000 square foot former glass and door factory in Maspeth, Queens, built in 1903 and now serving as an art and event space.
PUBLIC FORUM
On Sunday, January 24 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m., arts and cultural leaders will explore the powerful social issues raised by West Side Story and the role of the arts in social change as part of a thought-provoking two-part forum in Carnegie Hall's Resnick Education Wing.
ONLINE COMPANION COURSE
To support all facets of the project, Carnegie Hall has created The Somewhere Project: A West Side Story Companion, an eight-part interactive video course available to users around the globe free of charge. This new digital resource engages experts from across the arts and humanities spectrum in discussions about the history and context, social issues, music, choreography, and dramatic elements of West Side Story. The course also includes practical instructions from professionals on all facets of performance, including songwriting, dance, acting, audition preparation, as well as printable resources, discussion prompts, creative challenges, and suggested readings to encourage viewer participation. Developed by Carnegie Hall in partnership with Soundfly, an online music school that creates unique, free or low-cost music educational tools, the course serves both as reference material for Somewhere Project partners and participants in New York City as well as an accessible, evergreen resource for West Side Story fans around the world.
In a range of musical residencies across New York City, young people and adults will create, perform, and produce original music inspired by the themes found in West Side Story and the song "Somewhere." These works will be then be celebrated with the public through performances featured on Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concerts in all five boroughs.
- Public Schools - A set of residencies for students, in schools connected to the performances of West Side Story, as well as schools serving the city's vulnerable youth. In partnership with the NYC Department of Education and social service agencies.
- Juvenile Justice Settings - For young people in the justice system in non-secure placement as part of the city's Close to Home initiative. In partnership with the NYC Administration for Children's Services, NYC Department of Education, and social service agencies.
- Sing Sing Correctional Facility - Men at the maximum security prison participating in the year-round Musical Connections composition residency will create new works for The Somewhere Project, many written for mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, who will perform selected songs in a concert at Sing Sing on December 18. In partnership with the New York State Department of Corrections.
- Young Mothers Support Program - Part of WMI's Lullaby Project, young mothers in foster care will write a personal lullaby for their baby, strengthening the bond between parent and child. This project will take place at Desales, a building run by The New York Foundling and the NYC Administration for Children's Services on Staten Island.
- Carnegie Hall's Resnick Education Wing - Young people from across the city will attend workshops in the Education Wing. They will write songs, produce digital music, and learn about concert production as part of WMI's afterschool programming.
Roster artists leading these projects include: Brown Rice Family, Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band, Slavic Soul Party!, James Shipp, Matuto, Deidre Struck, Intikana, Circa '95, The Itty Biddies, Charles Burchell, and Thomas Cabaniss.
