No American composer has been more widely celebrated nor so consistently misunderstood as Richard Rodgers. Although he was one of Americas most brilliant and prolific composers whose credits include more than 900 published songs 40 Broadway musicals and numerous films Rodgers is widely believed to be the almost stolid opposite of who he really was. Meryle Secrest shows us for the first time his complex nature and the inspiration for his art. Looking intensely at Rodgers unparalleled career Secrest follows his close and fruitful working relationship with Lorenz Hart a collaboration that resulted in more than thirty musicals but was ultimately undone by Harts alcoholism. Moving on to Rodgers second collaborator Secrest records the triumphs with the gifted and more stable Oscar Hammerstein including Carousel South Pacific and The King and I along with many more. Rodgers personal life is explored as well. Secrest writes about the composers childhood and how from an early age he used music to escape. And she explores Rodgers own battle with alcohol as well as the deep tensions in his 49year marriage to Dorothy Feiner. Somewhere for Me is both a vivid portrait of American musical theatre and an illuminating examination of one of its greatest artists. show more