Songs for a New World

Songs for a New World
World Premiere Recording
MusicJason Robert Brown
LyricsJason Robert Brown
Productions1995 Off-Broadway
1998 St. Louis, MO
2001 Off-West End
2015 Off-West End
2018 Encores!
2020 West End
2021 West End

Songs for a New World is a work of musical theatre written and composed by Jason Robert Brown. This was Jason Robert Brown's first produced show, originally produced Off-Broadway at the WPA Theatre in 1995. Brown and director Daisy Prince put together songs he had written for other venues and events, resulting in "neither musical play nor revue, it is closer to a theatrical song cycle, a very theatrical song cycle."[1]

The show lies between musical and song cycle, but it is neither; it is an abstract musical, a series of songs all connected by a theme: "the moment of decision."[1] The show has four performers who do not play the same characters throughout the show but who do have consistently developing character arcs nonetheless. Composer Brown has said "It's about one moment. It's about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, or take a stand, or turn around and go back."[2]

Because of its small cast and orchestra, Songs for a New World has become a favorite small show for colleges and local theatres, despite its vocally demanding score.

Productions

A workshop of the show was produced in Toronto. The original Off-Broadway production ran for a limited 3+1⁄2-week run, which included two 1/2 weeks of previews[3] at the WPA Theatre in 1995. The original cast consisted of Brooks Ashmanskas, Andréa Burns, Jessica Molaskey and Billy Porter, with direction by Daisy Prince.[4] The original band consisted of Jason Robert Brown on piano, Randy Landau on bass, Tom Partington on drums, Joe Reina on keyboards, and Warren Smith and Rob McEwan on percussion.

The first regional production was mounted by New Line Theatre in St. Louis in 1998.

Songs for a New World premiered in the UK in 2001, at the Bridewell Theatre in a production directed by Clive Paget. The cast was led by Craig Purnell (Best Actor in a Musical, WhatsOnStage Awards 2002), Golda Rosheuvel, Sarah Redmond and Nigel Richards.

The first professional revival in New York was staged in October 2008 at the Chernuchin Theatre, featuring a 14-member youth ensemble in addition to the four principal performers. The production was directed by Debbie Slevin.[5]

In 2013, the show premiered in Paris, France.[6]

In 2015, Songs for a New World was revived at the St James Theatre, London. The cast consisted of Cynthia Erivo, Jenna Russell, Damian Humbley and Dean John-Wilson. The production was directed by Adam Lenson.

A special Encores! Off-Center staged concert of Songs for a New World was performed at New York City Center June 27 through June 30, 2018. The production was directed by Kate Whoriskey and starred Shoshana Bean, Colin Donnell, Mykal Kilgore, and Solea Pfeiffer.[7]

The show continues to be popular among amateur theatre groups with performances across Australia, the US and the UK.

In July 2020, as theatres around the world remained dark due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Other Palace (formerly St James Theatre) again revived Songs for a New World. Directed by Séimí Campbell, starring Rachel John, Ramin Karimloo, Cedric Neal and Rachel Tucker and featuring new graduate Shem Omari James, the digital production was filmed entirely in isolation with contemporary news footage interwoven with the musical numbers. The production had music supervision by Adam Hoskins.[8] This production was transferred into a physical production for 2 shows at The London Palladium on 11 October 2020.[9] Rachel John, Cedric Neal, Rachel Tucker and Shem Omari James reprised their roles from the digital production. The role of Man 2 was taken over by David Hunter and the show had an ensemble made up of 3rd Year students from Mountview Academy.[10] Audiences were socially distanced and there were other safety measures put into place to protect from the spreading of COVID-19. The London Palladium production is set to have an official West End transfer and run from 5 February 2021 at the Vaudeville Theatre, on the strand. Both Rachels, Cedric and David are all set to reprise their roles.

Cast recordings

The 1996 Off-Broadway production was recorded by RCA and released in March 1997.[2] Due to his contractual obligations to A&M Records, Porter could not record his performance for RCA, and so he was replaced by Ty Taylor.[11]

The 2018 Encores! production was recorded by Ghostlight Records and released in January 2019.

Musical numbers

Act I
  • "Opening Sequence: The New World" – Company

The company sings of the evening's central theme: that even when everything seems stable and certain, there is "one moment" that can upend and change anyone's life.

  • "On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492" – Man 1 and Company

On the voyage to an undiscovered country, a ship's Captain prays for the safety of the souls aboard his ship.

  • "Just One Step" – Woman 2

A wealthy wife climbs out onto the window ledge of her 57th-story apartment in an attempt to get her neglectful husband's attention.

  • "I'm Not Afraid of Anything" – Woman 1

A young woman reflects on the fears of the people she loves, and comes to realize how they have held her back.

  • "The River Won't Flow" – Man 1, Man 2, Company

A pair of derelicts swap stories of woe and ill luck, concluding that for some, bad luck is just fate.

  • "Transition I" – Woman 1
  • "Stars and the Moon" – Woman 2

Recounting the stories of two poor suitors and the rich man she eventually marries, a woman comes to realize what she has sacrificed in exchange for wealth and comfort.

  • "She Cries" – Man 2

A man describes the power the emotionally manipulative woman he is in love with holds over him.

  • "The Steam Train" – Man 1 and Company

A teenager from a poor neighborhood in New York boasts of his future as a basketball star. His bravado is undercut with a spoken monologue revealing the disadvantages he is determined to overcome.

Act II
  • "The World Was Dancing" – Man 2, Woman 1 and Company

A man tells the story of how his father bought, then lost, a store, and how the experience influenced his decision to leave his fiancée.

  • "Surabaya-Santa" – Woman 2

In a parody of the Kurt Weill torch song, Surabaya Johnny, Mrs. Claus sings a scornful, teutonic kiss-off to her neglectful husband.

  • "Christmas Lullaby" – Woman 1

A woman reacts with wonder and joy to the discovery of her pregnancy, comparing herself to The Virgin Mary.

  • "King of the World" – Man 1

A man in some form of prison, either literal or metaphorical, demands that he be freed and returned to his rightful place as a leader of men.

  • "I'd Give It All for You" – Man 2 and Woman 1

A pair of former lovers reunite after attempting to live without each other.

  • "Transition II" – Man 1
  • "The Flagmaker, 1775" – Woman 2

A woman, whose husband and son are fighting in the Revolutionary War sews a flag while attempting to keep her hope alive and her house standing.

  • "Flying Home" – Man 1 and Company

A soldier, who has died in battle, sings as his body is flown home to his mother and he crosses over to another life.

  • "Final Transition: The New World" – Company
  • "Hear My Song" – Company

The company, as if singing a lullaby to a child, express their hope that they have gained by experiencing hardship and how they have gained strength from each other.

Music

The music of Songs for a New World is influenced by a broad range of musical genres, including pop, gospel and jazz. Many of the songs combine elements of two or more of these genres. The piano features heavily throughout the show's music.

An extensive background and analysis essay about the show was written by Scott Miller.[12] The Variety reviewer noted: "His debut foray into his own spotlight comes with 'Songs for a New World,' a musical revue that shows Brown to be a capable songwriter of the Alan Menken school: commercial show-tune pop with palatable sentiment and easy-to-take melody.... 'Songs for a New World' seems to contain more cabaret convention and pianobar posing than any one revue should have to withstand."[3]

Notes

  1. ^ a b " 'Songs for a New World' Storyline and Musical Numbers" guidetomusicaltheatre.com, accessed April 2, 2012
  2. ^ a b ' 'Songs For A New World' Recording with Liner notes" masterworksbroadway.com, accessed April 2, 2012
  3. ^ a b Evans, Greg. "Songs For A New World", Variety, November 6, 1995 - November 12, 1995, p. 79
  4. ^ "'Songs for a New World' Listing" Archived 2015-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Internet Off-Broadway Database, accessed April 2, 2012
  5. ^ La Gorce, Tammy. "First, a Fan of a Show. Now, She's Producing It", The New York Times, October 19, 2008, Section NJ, p. 10
  6. ^ Pirolli, Bryan. "Songs for a New World". Time Out Paris. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  7. ^ Clement, Olivia. "Watch Shoshana Bean Sing "Stars and the Moon" From 'Songs for a New World' " Playbill, June 19, 2018
  8. ^ Wood, Alex (July 2020). "Songs for a New World". What's On Stage. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  9. ^ "Songs For a New World Tickets, The London Palladium – Official Box Office". LW Theatres. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  10. ^ "Songs for a New World musical to be performed live at The London Palladium | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  11. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan. "9 Original Cast Albums Featuring Replacement Performers", Playbill, November 17, 2022
  12. ^ Miller, Scott (1998-11-01). "Inside Songs for a New World". New Line Theatre. Retrieved 2008-08-04.

References

  • Miller, Scott. Rebels With Applause (Heinemann, 2001)
  • operetta

Read other articles:

Wine bar

Tavern-like business focusing on selling wine This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Wine bar – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) SOHO, Central, Hong Kong PV wine bar A wine bar is a tavern-like business focusing on selli...

 

 

War Office

British Government department, 1857 to 1964 This article is about the former British War Office. For use of this term in the United States, see United States Department of War. War OfficeRoyal Coat of Arms as used byHis Majesty's GovernmentDepartment overviewFormed1857; 167 years ago (1857)Preceding DepartmentvariousDissolved1964; 60 years ago (1964)Superseding agencyMinistry of Defence (MoD)JurisdictionGovernment of the United KingdomHeadquartersWar Office...

 

 

Our Planet

Our PlanetKeith Scholey sedang mendiskusikan Our Planet di TIFF Bell Lightbox.GenreDokumenter alamNarator David Attenborough (Negara berbahasa Inggris) Salma Hayek (Amerika Latin) Penélope Cruz (Spanyol) Penata musikSteven PriceNegara asalBritania RayaBahasa asliInggrisJmlh. musim1Jmlh. episode8ProduksiProduser eksekutif Alastair Fothergill Keith Scholey Colin Butfield Durasi48–53 menitRumah produksi Silverback Films World Wide Fund for Nature Rilis asliJaringanNetflixFormat gambarU...

Bozo the Clown

Fictional children's character An iteration of Bozo the Clown at WFGA-TV in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1961. This is his most well-known design. Bozo the Clown, sometimes billed as Bozo, The World's Most Famous Clown, is a clown character created for children's entertainment, widely popular in the second half of the 20th century. He was introduced in the United States in 1946, and to television in 1949, later appearing in franchised television programs of which he was the host, where he was po...

 

 

Bartosz Salamon

Bartosz Salamon Bartosz Salamon nel 2017 Nazionalità  Polonia Altezza 196[1] cm Peso 89[1] kg Calcio Ruolo Difensore Squadra  Lech Poznań Carriera Giovanili 1999-2004 Concord2004-2007 Lech Poznań2007-2010 Brescia Squadre di club1 2008-2010 Brescia16 (0)2010-2011→  Foggia27 (2)2011-2013 Brescia46 (4)2013 Milan0 (0)2013-2014 Sampdoria2 (0)2014-2015→  Pescara31 (1)[2]2015-2017 Cagliari48 (2)2017-2018 SPAL...

 

 

2007 Samjhauta Express bombings

2007 terrorist attack on a train, Panipat, India Samjhauta Express bombingLocationDiwana, Panipat, Haryana, IndiaDate18 February 2007 23:53 (UTC +5:30)TargetSamjhauta Express trainWeaponsBombsDeaths70Injured50AccusedLashkar-e-Taiba[1][2] Abhinav Bharat[3] vteTerrorist attacks in India (since 2001)List of terrorist incidents in IndiaAttacks with 50+ deaths in italics2001 Indian Parliament 1st Srinagar 2002 Raghunath (Mar) Akshardam Kolkata Jammu and Kashmir 2nd Jammu &a...

Taiwan Coal Mine Museum

Museum in Pingxi, New Taipei, Taiwan Taiwan Coal Mine Museum台灣煤礦博物館Established2001LocationPingxi, New Taipei, TaiwanCoordinates25°03′10″N 121°46′25″E / 25.05278°N 121.77361°E / 25.05278; 121.77361TypemuseumWebsiteOfficial website (in Chinese) Taiwan Coal Mine Museum entrance The Taiwan Coal Mine Museum (traditional Chinese: 台灣煤礦博物館; simplified Chinese: 台湾煤矿博物馆; pinyin: Táiwān Méikuàng Bówùguǎn) is...

 

 

Dakssh Ajit Singh

Indian actor (born 1980) Dakssh Ajit SinghBorn (1980-03-27) 27 March 1980 (age 44)Kurukshetra, Haryana, IndiaOccupation(s)ActorFitness Model[1]singer[2]Songwriter[3]Film Producer[4]Years active2004–presentSpouseMannat SinghAwards(Nominated) PTC Punjabi Film Awards for Best Story Writingfor Arsho.[5] Dakssh Ajit Singh (born 27 March 1980) is an Indian actor and songwriter. His latest work as LAADI in a Netflix series named CAT[6] appr...

 

 

大字 (数字)

この項目には、一部のコンピュータや閲覧ソフトで表示できない文字が含まれています（詳細）。 数字の大字（だいじ）は、漢数字の一種。通常用いる単純な字形の漢数字（小字）の代わりに同じ音の別の漢字を用いるものである。 概要 壱万円日本銀行券（「壱」が大字） 弐千円日本銀行券（「弐」が大字） 漢数字には「一」「二」「三」と続く小字と、「壱」「�...

National Hockey League 1977-1978

NHL 1977-1978CampionatoNational Hockey League Sport Hockey su ghiaccio Duratadal 12 ottobre 1977al 25 maggio 1978 Numero squadre18 Regular SeasonPrima classificata Montreal Canadiens MVP Guy Lafleur (Montreal) Top scorer Guy Lafleur (Montreal) Rookie Mike Bossy (NY Islanders) Stanley Cup playoffMVP Playoff Larry Robinson (Montreal) Stanley CupVincitore Montreal Canadiens Finalista Boston Bruins ← 1976-1977 1978-1979 → La stagione 1977-1978 è stata la 61ª edizione ...

 

 

Atoma (album)

2016 studio album by Dark TranquillityAtomaStudio album by Dark TranquillityReleased4 November 2016[1]Recorded2016Genre Melodic death metal gothic metal Length49:33LabelCentury MediaProducerMartin BrändströmDark Tranquillity chronology Construct(2013) Atoma(2016) Moment(2020) Professional ratingsReview scoresSourceRatingCutting Edge [nl][2]Exclaim!5/10[3]Gaffa5/6[4]Inferno [fi][5]laut.de[6]Magazyn Gitarzysta&...

 

 

Channing Tatum

Pour les articles homonymes, voir Tatum. Channing Tatum Channing Tatum au Comic-Con de San Diego, en 2017. Données clés Naissance 26 avril 1980 (44 ans) Nationalité Américaine Profession Acteur, danseur, mannequin, producteur, réalisateur Films notables Sexy Dance21Magic MikeJe te prometsWhite House Down modifier Channing Tatum est un acteur, danseur, mannequin, réalisateur et producteur de cinéma américain, né le 26 avril 1980 à Cullman (Alabama). Après avoir été révélé...

Richard Seymour

American poker player and football player (born 1979) For other people named Richard Seymour, see Richard Seymour (disambiguation). American football player Richard SeymourSeymour with the Raiders in the 2010 NFL SeasonNo. 93, 92Position:Defensive endPersonal informationBorn: (1979-10-06) October 6, 1979 (age 44)Gadsden, South Carolina, U.S.Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)Weight:317 lb (144 kg)Career informationHigh school:Lower Richland(Hopkins, South Carolina)College:...

 

 

Skirt, Hirari

Skirt, HirariSingel oleh AKB48dari album Set List: Greatest Songs 2006–2007Sisi-BAozora no soba ni iteDirilis7 Juni 2006 (2006-06-07) (Indies)FormatCD SingelGenrePopDurasi18:19LabelAKSPenciptaYasushi Akimoto, Mio Okada, Yuichi YaegakiProduserYasushi Akimoto Skirt, Hirari (スカート、ひらりcode: ja is deprecated ) adalah singel kedua grup idola Jepang AKB48 yang dirilis secara independen oleh AKS, 7 Juni 2006.[1] Lagu ini dinyanyikan oleh 7 anggota dari Tim A AKB48, Tomom...

 

 

Neurotransmitter transporter

Class of membrane transport proteins Neurotransmitter transporters are a class of membrane transport proteins that span the cellular membranes of neurons. Their primary function is to carry neurotransmitters across these membranes and to direct their further transport to specific intracellular locations. There are more than twenty types of neurotransmitter transporters.[1] Vesicular transporters move neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles, regulating the concentrations of substances...

Civil service reform in the United States

Carl Schurz, founder of the Liberal Republican Party and prominent advocate of civil service reform. Civil service reform in the United States was a major issue in the late 19th century at the national level, and in the early 20th century at the state level. Proponents denounced the distribution of government offices—the spoils—by the winners of elections to their supporters as corrupt and inefficient. They demanded nonpartisan scientific methods and credential be used to select civil ser...

 

 

Sebenarnya

SebenarnyaLagu oleh Alif Satar dan Siti Nordianadari album OST Klik! Pengantin Musim SaljuDirilis26 Mei 2018FormatUnduhan digitalMedia penyiaranDirekamApril 2018GenrePower popDurasi3:26 menitLabelSony Music MalaysiaFaithful MusicPenciptaFaizal TahirMike ChanEzra KongRomeoSze Wan LeeProduserFaizal TahirMike ChanEzra KongRomeoSze Wan LeeKronologi singel Siti Nordiana Hatiku Milikmu(2018) Sebenarnya(2018) Satukan Rasa(2019) Sebenarnya adalah sebuah lagu yang direkamkan dan dipersembahkan ol...

 

 

Convair CV-240 family

Convair CV-240 adalah sebuah pesawat Amerika yang diproduksi oleh Convair 1947-1954, awalnya sebagai pengganti mungkin dari Douglas DC-3. Menampilkan desain yang lebih modern dengan kabin bertekanan, seri 240 membuat beberapa terobosan sebagai pesawat komersial dan juga memiliki siklus pengembangan yang panjang yang mengakibatkan sejumlah varian sipil dan militer. Meskipun berkurang dalam jumlah, yang Convairliners dalam berbagai bentuk terus terbang ke abad ke-21. Referensi Frawley, Gerald....

Convoy SC 130

Convoy during naval battles of the Second World War Convoy SC 130Part of World War IIHMS Duncan in March 1943Date18–20 May 1943LocationNorth AtlanticResult Allied victoryBelligerents Germany  United Kingdom CanadaCommanders and leaders Admiral Karl Dönitz Comm: HC Forsyth B-7 Group: Cdr. P GrettonStrength 25 U-boats 37 ships 8 escortsCasualties and losses 3 U-boats destroyed 1 U-boat damaged 142 dead no ships sunkvteAtlantic campaign Americas United States Caribbean St. Lawrence ...

 

 

Thể thao điện tử tại Đại hội Thể thao Đông Nam Á 2021 – Liên Minh Huyền Thoại: Tốc Chiến – Đồng đội nam

Liên Minh Huyền Thoại: Tốc Chiến - Đồng đội Nam tại Đại hội Thể thao Đông Nam Á 2021Địa điểmTrung tâm Hội nghị Quốc giaVị tríHà Nội, Việt NamCác ngày20 tháng 5 ― 22 tháng 5 năm 2022Quốc gia7Các đội7Danh sách huy chương   Nguyễn Chí Khanh Nguyễn Hữu Phát Phạm Quốc Bình Đỗ Thành Đạt Nguyễn Minh Trí Phạm Quốc Thắng    Việt Nam  Metis Wongchoosee Prasittichai Jiadchat Nutchanon Yailu...