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America

In Anita's number from the musical West Side Story, the Puerto Rican Sharks gang argue over whether America is a great place to live. It's an argument still being played out today.

America is Anita's all singing, all dancing number from the musical West Side Story. The Puerto Rican Sharks gang argue over whether America is a great place to live, an argument still being played out by migrants today.
With contributions from young migrants to the US as well as an actress who has performed the song in a UK production and a Puerto Rican man who watched Rita Moreno performing the role growing up, and went on to study the musical as an academic in the United States.

Including an interview with Rita Moreno originally broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 100 Women in Conversation in 2023

Produced for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Audio Bristol by Sally Heaven

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28 minutes

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Tomorrow 21:00
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Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem

Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem

Watch the animation - Professor Mary King describes how the song became a symbol of hope.

Podcast

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    Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact