“Somewhere” in West Side Story

By, Sara Morales

The fascinating beauty of musicals, especially that of West Side Story, is beyond immeasurable. With a score written by both the lyrical genius Stephen Sondheim and the celebrated Leonard Bernstein, this classic musical piece finds a breath of fresh air in the 2021 Stephen Spielberg adaptation. The West Side Story film reimagines the world of 1950s New York, which follows a modern-day Romeo and Juliet storyline, comprised of two lovers from rivaling gangs. With such a reimagination comes alterations to the source musical material, however. 

Although the entirety of the film, with its richly developed characters and sonically elevating score, left a lasting impact, one particular song was especially lasting: “Somewhere.” This song initially served as a somewhat incidental piece, underscoring an idealistic dream-like ballet sequence on stage that is typically sung by a Puerto Rican woman off stage. Originally meant to serve as the emotional catalyst for the two lovers, Tony and Maria, they wistfully sing about an unreachable utopia where they could be together without racial or cultural clashes. For the most part, the same artistic vision carries over to the 1961 film, where although the ballet sequence is stripped, it is still sung by the couple in their futile attempts to grasp a future together. 

Sondheim’s reimagination brought with it the genius creation of the character Valentina, portrayed by the highly renowned actress Rita Moreno. Moreno, a Puerto Rican woman herself, appeared in the 1961 film, taking on the role of Anita, who was also a Puerto Rican immigrant. Her work in Hollywood makes the song’s meaning all the more impactful, especially knowing that she won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in the 61’ film and was the first Latina woman ever to win an Academy Award. In the new adaptation, she sings “Somewhere,” bringing a new tinge of reminiscence for a time of harmony. What once was a tragic love song is now given an even darker purpose, harboring an air of hopelessness as it points out all the racial and societal injustices that seem impossible to overcome. 

These lyrics showcase Valentina’s deep desire to live in a community that accepts Latinos without racism and violence. Valentina longs to exist where people like her are respected rather than treated unworthily. Her singing reads like a plea for something that she sincerely wished were reality but sadly recognizes as barely a possibility at the time. With the knowledge that West Side Story occurs in the 50s, a time of significant Hispanic immigration in New York City, Valentina’s pleas are especially impactful. People’s hate was charged by the apparent ‘invasion’ of Puerto Ricans to their neighborhoods, manifested through the sheer brutality shown between racial groups, which can be found in the great tension between the Jets and the Sharks—the white and Hispanic gangs. Valentina, finding herself between the tense divide, yearns for a place where Latinos can live in peace without the antagonization of the white community or other outside factors like the threat of gentrification. Alluding back to the song’s original intention of being a love song between the two main lovers, her recitation of the lyrics becomes almost cynical—love cannot bridge the gap between these racial groups. The two’s love cannot actually bring about the end of racism, and as hard as it is for her to admit it, this whole love story between Maria and Tony was all for naught. 

Although Valentina’s take on reality is much more destitute, which can significantly be attributed to the hardships minorities experienced in that period, I still believe that this song is a piece about looking forward to a time and place where the Hispanic community is actually accepted much like the original intent of the song. As problematic as things remain, I genuinely believe that, to an extent, “Somewhere” has been reached. Although there is always work to be done regarding true equality, I see the change and the slow acceptance today that was completely unheard of in the period of West Side Story. 

Whenever I hear that beautiful melody, I know that there will always be “Somewhere” for us.