Songs for a New World

Sometimes a production comes along that sparkles like a true gem. New World Theatre’s Songs for a New World is just that.

Four experienced performers, Lara Boyle, Simon Chamberlain, Liam J. O’Byrne and Natalie Ridoutt, all with great voices and acting chops, brought Jason Robert Brown’s popular song cycle thrillingly to life. There was no denying their passion for the material, or the brilliance of the four-piece orchestra under musical director Andrew Wadley on keyboard.

The show, a series of unconnected vignettes of “moments in life”, certainly connected big-time with the young audience who were treated to a night of perfect musical theatre thanks to astute direction by Melanie Evans.

Each performer had their moment in the sun; Ridoutt was manically funny as a neglected wife trying to get her husband’s attention in “Just One Step”, Boyle movingly delivered “I’m Not Afraid of Anything”, O’Byrne shone in “The World Was Dancing”, whilst Chamberlain’s commitment in “King of the World” was searing.

The two most well-known songs from the score, “Stars and the Moon” and the Brecht/Weill parody “Surabaya Santa” were expertly performed by Ridoutt.

The only minus in the production was the sound balance, which at times had the orchestra overpowering the vocals.

Songs for a New World was Brown’s breakout Off-Broadway show, which put him on the map as a gifted melodic composer who could write for character and situation. The material is intense, but it’s edge of your seat intense which satisfies on every level.

Peter Pinne