Somewhere: The Life of Jerome Robbins

Jerome Robbins transformed American dance and musical theater in the 20th century through his work as a choreographer and director. This biography traces his path from childhood in New Jersey through his rise to prominence on Broadway and at New York City Ballet. Vaill draws on extensive research, including Robbins' personal journals, letters, and interviews with his collaborators and friends. The book follows his creative process behind West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and other landmark productions while examining his complex relationships with figures like Leonard Bernstein and George Balanchine. The narrative covers both Robbins' professional achievements and personal struggles, including his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s. His Jewish identity, sexuality, and drive for perfection shaped his artistic vision and interactions throughout his career. This biography reveals the tensions between public success and private turmoil in the life of an artist who helped define American performance culture. The book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the costs of creative ambition.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and comprehensive look at both Robbins' artistic achievements and complex personal life. Many note the balanced portrayal that doesn't shy away from his difficult personality while celebrating his creative genius. The book's handling of Robbins' testimony before HUAC and his struggles with sexuality resonated with readers. Key criticisms include the length (over 600 pages) and occasional repetitiveness. Some readers found the chronological structure made it hard to follow specific aspects of Robbins' career. A few noted the dance terminology could be challenging for non-experts. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (219 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (39 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Meticulous research but never dry" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have been edited down by 100 pages" - Amazon reviewer "Best parts are the behind-the-scenes Broadway stories" - Goodreads reviewer "Captures both his brilliance and his cruelty" - Amazon reviewer

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🎭 Jerome Robbins changed the course of dance history by successfully bridging the worlds of ballet and Broadway, choreographing iconic works like "West Side Story" and "Fiddler on the Roof." 📚 Author Amanda Vaill spent five years researching the book, gaining unprecedented access to Robbins' personal journals, letters, and drawings, many of which had never been seen by the public. 🌟 The book reveals that Leonard Bernstein and Robbins had a complex relationship that went beyond their professional collaboration, including a brief romantic involvement in their early years. 🎬 Despite his enormous success, Robbins struggled with his identity as a gay Jewish man in mid-20th century America, which influenced many of his artistic choices and is explored in depth throughout the biography. 🏆 "Somewhere" was named one of the New York Times Notable Books of 2006 and received the Marfield National Award for Arts Writing.