Songs for a New World

Every younger musical theatre performer almost certainly has a Jason Robert Brown song among their audition and party pieces. The American composer / lyricist writes great character and journey songs, which stand alone outside a theatrical context. They are a popular staple on the cabaret circuit. This show is a celebration of Brown’s early songs.

Songs for a New World had its original off-Broadway production in 1995.

Brown has since emerged as a leader among the new wave of American musical theatre writers, responsible for Broadway’s Parade (winning him a Tony for Best Score) and 13 The Musical.

A thematically linked song cycle (also described as a revue and a musical), Songs for a New World is usually performed by four singers who don’t have specific characters, but do have ‘consistently developing character arcs’ to quote Wikipedia. For this production, where the cast has been expanded to eleven, extended character arcs give way to a showcase of individual songs.

Splendid ensemble singing is the big plus of Rockdale’s expanded company. Ensemble songs and passages have a big, impressive sound. Movement in entire cast numbers was limited by the tiny stage, further restricted by the use of levels, though at times even greater choreographic economy might have been exercised. A backstage tour revealed just how constricted conditions are, not only on stage, but for entrances, exits and backstage traffic.

On the solo front, absolute highlights for me were the heart-rending interpretation of The Flagmaker, 1775by Anita Margiota, late in Act 2, along with two side-splitting stand-and-deliver comedy songs from Chiz Watson, Just One Step and Surabaya Santa; highly accomplished music theatre performances.

Nelson Padila got things underway splendidly with a full-throttle rendition of On The Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492, well supported by the company. Indeed, the majority of the songs received thoughtful, engaging, well-projected interpretations by extremely capable performers, though I had moments of concern over the stagecraft of couple of overly introspective performers, who seemed to be singing with little thought of projecting their message to the audience. Most obvious case was a performer who sat side on, looking downward, through the bulk of his song.

Rockdale Musical Society, displaced from the asbestos plagued Rockdale Town Hall, will mostly perform smaller musicals in the auditorium of Bexley RSL Club into the medium future. The company has only installed the first of four planned lighting bars, so conventional lighting was limited to just eight luminaires and limited variations were possible. Particularly effective use was made of tube lighting, concealed in the set, however, most notably the red, white and blue effect in Flagmaker.

Given the fairly subdued lighting forced on the production, a more visually  stimulating choice than the predominantly black costuming of the show might have been preferable.

Rockdale’s Songs for a New World is an enjoyable, varied showcase of the songs of Jason Robert Brown.

Neil Litchfield

Images: Grant Leslie, Perfect Images

More details - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre/songs-new-world-sydney’s-south

Our interview with Jason Robert Brown at the time of his 2011 Australian tour - www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/2011-brings-new-worlds-jason-robert-brown