Songs For A New World
Image: Teagan Wouters
Photo: Ben Fon
It’s hard to describe.
Songs For A New World is somewhere between an abstract musical and song cycle, with no narrative plot and a multitude of personas played by four actors. Even actor Sophie Carter, who plays “woman 2” can’t really define it:
“It’s sort of hard to nail down a specific description of the show…but that’s one of the beauties about it – it’s so open to interpretation.”
Written in 1997, it was the first musical by award-winning composer/lyricist Jason Robert Brown, and has been performed continuously around the world. Carter attributes its popularity to the fact it has universal themes, relatable situations and incredible songs.
“They’re written so beautifully, they’re such a joy to actually sing,” she said.
Beautiful, perhaps, but also challenging. Brown’s musicals typically include songs that cover a broad range of styles and genres. Couple that with settings that jump from a 15th Century Spanish galleon, to a high rise New York building, to a pre-Christmas Mrs Claus, to a wannabe basketball hero; and you have four actors who have truly earned their pay by the end of the night. Carter is not at all phased by this and is looking forward to being on stage with the other actors:
“…They’re all incredibly strong singers, incredibly strong performers, and I just can’t wait to get that wall of sound going.”
The production is being staged in the very intimate Hayes Theatre, which Carter believes is apt because the play is about “connecting the songs to people in the audience”.
With the depth and diversity of emotions, personalities and scenarios as well as a songbook of instantly likeable tunes, this show should appeal to a wide crowd. (RB)
Aug 12–28, varied performance times. Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point. $49-$59. Tickets & info: www.hayestheatre.com.au
BY RITA BRATOVICH
