Songs for a New World

Blue Saint Productions Songs for a New World photo by Ben Fon PhotographyA contemporary song cycle that illuminates the timelessness of self-discovery, Blue Saint Productions presents Jason Robert Brown’s stunning Songs for a New World at Chapel off Chapel from 3 June 2016.

Songs for a New World is 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. These are the stories and characters of today. The first musical from Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges Of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices we make.

Brown transports his audience from the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship to a ledge 57 stories above Fifth Avenue to meet a startling array of characters ranging from a young man who has determined that basketball is his ticket out of the ghetto to a woman whose dream of marrying rich nabs her the man of her dreams and a soulless marriage.

Featuring a powerhouse cast and a driving, exquisitely crafted score running the gamut of today’s popular music, Songs For A New World is a great way to bring the next generation into the theatre.

Teagan Wouters (Woman 1) was recently seen as Tzeitel in Fiddler On The Roof. Before that she performed the role of Lisa Houseman in the Australian Tour of Dirty Dancing and Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family Musical. Later this year, she will play the role of Nicola in the Australian Premiere of Cyndi Lauper’s Kinky Boots.

John O’Hara (Man 1) John has established himself as an in demand and versatile performer in Australia and abroad. Professional theatre credits include Hair, Shout!, Eureka, Leader Of The Pack, High Society, Oklahoma!, Dusty, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats, The Boy From Oz, Rock of Ages, Singin’ in the Tain, Elegies, the tenth anniversary tour of Wicked and Stephen Sondheim’s Company.

Nat O’Donnell (Woman 2) has recently performed the role of Diana in Doorstep Productions’ production of Next to Normal at Hayes Theatre Co, she also received a Green Room nomination for her performance as Olive in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Linden Furnell (Man 2) recently cemented himself as a brilliant newcomer in the Australian theatre industry with his performance as Roger in the critically acclaimed production of RENT at Hayes Theatre Co. He also played various roles in the award-winning Sydney season of Violet.

Songs for a New World will be directed by Helpmann and Green Room award winner, Luke Joslin (Avenue Q, Les Miserables), Musical Direction by Geoffrey Castles (Les Miserables, Aladdin) and will be designed by Jacob Batista (Avenue Q, Carrie the Musical).

Jason Robert Brown has won three Tony Awards for his groundbreaking work as a composer, lyricist, and orchestrator. His emotionally incisive, ferociously energetic, and deeply human scores for The Bridges of Madison County (Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations), Parade (Tony and Drama Desk Awards), The Last Five Years (Drama Desk Award), 13, and Songs for a New World have brought his unique voice and highly personal songs to stages all over the world.

Other works include The Trumpet of the Swan (written with Marsha Norman), which he conducted with the National Symphony Orchestra. Jason also tours with his band The Caucasian Rhythm Kings, with whom he has recorded a CD, Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes.

Director: Luke Joslin Featuring: Linden Furnell, Nat O’Donnell, John O’Hara, Teagan Wouters Musical Director: Geoffrey Castles Designer: Jacob Batista Lighting Designer: Peter Amesbury Sound Designer: Kelvin Gedye Stage Manager: Lauren Tulloh

Songs for a New World
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season: 3 – 12 June 2016 (preview: 2 June)
Bookings: (03) 8290 7000 or online at: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au

For more information, visit: www.bluesaint.com.au or www.songsau.com.au for details.

Image: Linden Furnell, Nat O’Donnell, John O’Hara, and Teagan Wouters feature in Songs for a New World – photo by Ben Fon Photography