Overview
Synopsis
Songs for a New World is, according to composer Jason Robert Brown, “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.”
With a rousing score that blends elements of pop, gospel and jazz, featuring tight harmonies and darling vocals, Songs for a New World transports its audience from the deck of a spanish sailing ship bound for a new land, to the ledge of a New York penthouse. Characters range from a young man in the Bronx who dreams of becoming a famous basketball player, to a forlorn and neglected Mrs. Claus lamenting as Christmas approaches.
A small but powerful diverse cast and a supercharged, well crafted score appeal to old and new generations alike as each character -- in their own way -- takes hold of that one moment and enters a new world.
Show Information
- Music
- Jason Robert Brown
- Lyrics
- Jason Robert Brown
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1995
- Genres
- Jukebox/Revue
- Settings
- Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- contemporary
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Ensemble Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Songs for a New World is a unique revue of songs by composer Jason Robert Brown. Upon his initial arrival in New York, Brown would frequent cabarets with a variety of his songs, and met Daisy Prince, the daughter of legendary Broadway producer/director, Harold Prince. After hitting it off, Brown asked Prince if she could direct a review of his songs. Although she had never directed before, she agreed.
It wasn’t long into the project before it became apparent that Brown’s songs had no
to read the context for Songs for a New World and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT 1
A woman stands alone and is soon joined by another woman and two men. They sing of their hopes and fears as they imagine exploring and finding a new world (“Opening: The New World”).
Onboard a 1492 ship, passengers voyaging to what would become America pray to God to give them the strength the need to survive the treacherous journey. As the struggle becomes almost unbearable, the passengers find renewed resolve in their hope for a better life in the new world (“On the Deck of a
to read the plot for Songs for a New World and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
Songs
ACT 1
- “Opening Sequence: The New World” - Company
- “On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492” - Man 1 and Company
- “Just One Step” - Woman 2
- “I’m Not Afraid of Anything” - Woman 1
- “The River Won’t Flow” - Company
- “Transition I” - Woman 1
- “Stars and the Moon” - Woman 2
- “She Cries” - Man 2
- “The Steam Train” - Man 1 and Company
ACT 2
- “The World Was Dancing” - Man 2 and Company
- “Surabaya-Santa” - Woman 2
- “Christmas Lullaby” - Woman 1
- “King of the World” - Man 1
- “I’d Give It All for You” - Man 2 and Woman 1
- “Transition II” - Man 1
- “The Flagmaker, 1775” - Woman 2
- “Flying Home” - Man 1 and Company
- “Final Transition: The New World” - Company
- “Hear My Song” - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
A light theatrical entertainment consisting of a series of short sketches, songs, and dances, typically dealing satirically with topical issues.
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