“Somewhere” in One Rehearsal: A West Side Story Moment to Remember
- The Stage Door
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
This term, both of our Stage Door Choir communities took on a timeless and deeply emotional classic: “Somewhere” from West Side Story — and incredibly, we learned and performed it in just one rehearsal.
To say we were proud is an understatement. What our singers created together in such a short time was not just musically impressive, but emotionally moving.
🎶 The Song: A Dream of Hope in a Divided World
“Somewhere” is one of the most iconic ballads in musical theatre history. Originally featured in West Side Story's original Broadway production (1957), it serves as a moment of stillness, longing, and desperate hope amidst the chaos of the narrative. It expresses the dream that beyond all violence and prejudice, there exists a place of peace — "somewhere, a place for us."
The song’s emotional power lies in its sweeping melody, suspended harmonies, and poignant simplicity. It has been covered by legends from Barbra Streisand to Aretha Franklin, but in its theatrical context, it remains a raw cry for unity and understanding.
🧠 Sondheim's Genius: West Side Story's Lyrical Depth in Musical Form
Though Leonard Bernstein composed the music, it was a young Stephen Sondheim who wrote the lyrics for West Side Story — his first professional credit on Broadway. At just 25 years old, Sondheim’s lyrical subtlety already shone through, and “Somewhere” remains one of his most beautifully restrained contributions.
Stephen Sondheim's biggest financial regret concerning West Side Story was not negotiating for a larger share of the lyric royalties. While he received 1% of the royalties, he declined the opportunity to split the 4% lyric royalties, effectively losing out on 2%. He reportedly dismissed the financial aspect with the phrase, "Don't be silly. I don't care about the money" at the time.
While Bernstein’s score gave the song its soaring, symphonic feel, it’s Sondheim’s delicate touch that shaped the longing in lines like:
“There’s a time for us / Someday a time for us…”
His choice of words creates space, breath, and vulnerability — perfect for vocal storytelling.
Just like West Side Story itself, “Somewhere” echoes the heartbreak and longing at the heart of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In both stories, young lovers dream of a world where their love can exist free from conflict. “Somewhere” becomes their version of “a plague o’ both your houses” — a quiet rebellion wrapped in hope. The song’s yearning for peace mirrors the timeless tragedy of forbidden love caught in the crossfire of division.
🎵 Our Rehearsal Focus: Dynamics, Blend & Storytelling
With only one rehearsal to shape this beloved piece, our singers embraced the challenge with focus, sensitivity, and a shared emotional intent.
We worked deeply on:
Dynamics – exploring softness and swelling intensity to shape the emotion of each phrase.
Blend – balancing voices across all parts to create a unified, warm tone that honored the orchestral feel of the original.
Intention – As we explored “Somewhere”, we also took time to consider the deeper meaning behind the lyrics. What is this song really saying? At its heart, it’s a message of hope — a vision of a better world, beyond conflict and division. It raises powerful questions: What might that “somewhere” be? Is it a physical place, or an emotional state of peace? Who are we hoping to reach there with? And what kind of future does this song dream of? These ideas guided our storytelling in rehearsal, helping us sing not just with technique, but with purpose and shared understanding.
The result was a sound that felt more than musical – it felt human. Honest, fragile, and hopeful.
🌟 A Moment of Pride
To bring such depth and beauty to a piece like “Somewhere” in just one rehearsal speaks volumes about the commitment and connection of our choir singers. Whether seasoned or new to singing, each voice played a part in creating something truly special.
This rehearsal reminded us of why we sing: to connect, to express, and to dream — together.
💛 From all of us at The Stage Door Choir, thank you for sharing your voice. Somewhere… we found something magical.
