The Ringwald Theatre’s ‘Somewhere’ Dares Audiences to Dream Big
Somewhere in my adolescence, my mother decided to take me through some of her favorite musicals. We began with some classics, ones that almost everyone has seen or heard of, such as The Sound of Music or The Wizard of Oz. But I’ll never forget the day she introduced me to West Side Story. It was sometime after the summer of 2002, when my parents purchased their first DVD player, when I was around 10 years old. They had gone shopping and returned with a bright red box that held far more than just a copy of the film. It was an access point to a world of new and exciting possibilities.
Some may argue that it’s just a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, as if that negates West Side Story’s artistry and storytelling. However, West Side Story is way more than a reimagining; it’s a story about the hope in a world that can crush you if you let it. That also rings true in Matthew López’s Somewhere, an original play inspired by the message at the heart of West Side Story.
The Ringwald Theatre’s production of Somewhere, directed by Jay Kaplan, explores a reality many people experience almost daily. What if the world promised in the films and on stage perhaps doesn’t live up to everyday life? Is it possible to keep hope alive despite the harsh realities? And perhaps, most importantly, to what extent would you go to give your family a life worth living?
[Warning: spoilers from Somewhere are below!]
A realist among dreamers in Somewhere
It’s difficult to be the one with their head on their shoulders when everyone else has got it in the clouds, which is something Alejandro Candelaria (Latress London) knows all too well. Living in a cramped apartment in San Juan Hill back in the summer of 1959 would be harsh enough by itself; throw in your family, and it’s practically a recipe for disaster. Having once been on Broadway, Alejandro almost feels bitter towards the art form, instead focusing on keeping his family afloat.
With a father who is absent, somewhere in the world having adventures (or so the family likes to believe), Alejandro is the patriarch of a family that is barely floating by. His two younger siblings are still full of wonder, with Rebecca (Ysa Velez) dreaming of becoming a Broadway performer and Francisco (Alexis Morales) hoping to make it to the silver screen. Alejandro has to keep a level head and enough income coming in to house and feed the dreamers.
A struggle that becomes increasingly difficult in the face of his mother, Inez (Airia Ramírez-Blair), who only sees visions of stardom for all three of her children. With West Side Story floating in the background as a thematic thread through Somewhere, reality begins to crash in. As the Candelarias are forced out of their home and into a world that isn’t as friendly, the question remains: How does one remain hopeful in spite of a wicked world?
A story full of hope in this Ringwald Theatre production
I’ll be honest, I didn’t know much about Somewhere before walking into the Ringwald Theatre. However, that being said, I am well acquainted with the work of one Matthew López. One of my favorite tours from last year was Some Like It Hot, a musical adaptation of the film, in which López received a Tony Award nomination. I also have a deep appreciation for his feature film directorial debut, Red, White and Royal Blue. So I knew not what I was getting myself into, but I knew it would at least be a solid show.
Somewhere is more than just solid; it reads like a work of art. There are so many facets as to why this play works, and just as many that could have fallen apart under another’s pen. There’s quite a bit going on in the story, but Somewhere never feels rushed nor tries to overexplain what is happening. Instead, this show trusts the audience to infer certain pieces of information, while confirming others as needed.
At its core, Somewhere is about family and how sometimes the beauty comes from the dysfunction. As I stated previously, this is a family of dreamers, characters who want to achieve it all but don’t necessarily see the reality around them. A father who abandons three children and a wife. An apartment that is falling apart around them, although filled with so much love. Gentrification of their neighborhood, as construction on the Lincoln Center begins.
As the audience, you’re taking this in through Alejandro’s eyes, and, like him, we can see the full picture. An easy life isn’t promised, and in fact, the world is only pushing to make it more difficult to survive. He’s faced with the reality that if he doesn’t work three times as hard as everyone else, his family is going to starve and end up out on the street. That truth is terrifying, especially when you’re facing it as a young adult, and watching those around you continue to be filled with hope for a better future can also be off-putting.
Alejandro’s a realist, but by the end of Somewhere, he’s gained a new perspective because of his mother. Yes, the world is a rough place, but that also shouldn’t eradicate any hope you have for a better tomorrow. She opens his eyes to a brighter truth, one that understands that we can be aware of what’s happening in the world (or in this case, our personal world), while still holding space for hope. As nothing can get better without hope pushing us forward.
A small but dedicated cast breathes life into this Matthew López show
With the play taking place in a single space that serves as two apartments in different acts, the magic of Somewhere truly comes from the actors embodying the characters. This cast is stacked with talent, which definitely made the already engaging material that much more. You didn’t just feel like you were sitting watching a family unfold, but that you were an active part of their lives.
Latress London (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) continues to prove he’s a star, carrying much of the emotional burden of the show. When he’s crying, you feel your heart breaking. When he has to make a difficult choice, you understand. London tells much of the story through his eyes, which serve as windows into the soul of Somewhere. He’s the absolute right choice for this role, and I struggle to think of anyone else who could give a performance such as this one in this role.
Equally engaging is Airia Ramirez-Blair, whose energy always reflects London. Where Alejandro is stoic, Inez is expressive. Where he’s a realist, she’s a dreamer. I could imagine it’s easy to get lost in a role like Inez’s, continuously going for bigger and over-the-top, but Ramirez-Blair has found a sweet spot that makes Inez endearing. Ramirez-Blair gives a masterclass in striking a balance in a role that could become too much.
While the struggle and narrative seem to be the dance between Alejandro and Inez, Somewhere wouldn’t be as impactful if it weren’t for the roles of Rebecca and Francisco. As Alejandro’s younger siblings, they still have naivety. They haven’t yet faced the real world, although Francisco is definitely flirting with it. They don’t necessarily have to worry about where they are getting their next meal from, as Alejando has and always will figure it out.
These characters could easily be one-dimensional, but both Ysa Velez and Alexis Morales have infused them with wonder. You can’t help but feel lighter when looking at the world through their eyes, because you truly hope that there is the good they see. There is depth to how Velez and Morales portray them, which helped to make this production special.
And where would this production be with Jamie? The friend who toes the line between Alejandro and his mother, attempting to bring them closer to the middle than either is willing to do. Jonas Annear volleys between bubbly happiness and stern realism, depending on what the characters and scene require. I won’t lie, Annear gave me goosebumps quite a few times as he and London bounced off each other beautifully throughout Somewhere.
Final thoughts on Somewhere
This production is one that I didn’t know much about before I went in, but I’m so incredibly grateful I got to witness it. Jay Kaplan (Silver Foxes, director of Once Upon a Mattress) has mixed together the perfect concoction of theater magic. This story and these actors are giving their all, which makes what’s happening at The Ringwald Theatre that much more exciting and even more beautiful.
Somewhere runs at The Ringwald for one more weekend, so get your tickets now! Have you seen this production yet? What did you think of it? Share your thoughts on social media and tag @bsb.insider to continue the conversation!
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