Podcasts about Songs for a New World

This episode we are joined by artist Solea Pfeiffer!  Solea is currently starring as Satine in Moulin Rouge on Broadway, which she is great in- 10 out of 10 highly recommend!  Her other Broadway credits include Hadestown and Almost Famous, where she made her Broadway debut.  Her other credits include Gatsby at A.R.T., Evita and Songs For a New World at City Center, Hamlet with The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park, The Light in the Piazza, West Side Story at the Hollywood Bowl, and the film A Jazzman's Blues.  We speak with Solea about her the meaning behind her motto "Fuck Um" and how that's helped her throughout her career, allowing herself to let opportunities to come to her, how "artists should be given the permission to be imperfect without judgment" and much more!Solea will also be performing at Café Carlyle April 24th, 25th, and 26th.  Make sure to get your tickets! 

L. Steven and I first met over a decade and a half ago, while sharing the stage in the Broadway Company of The Lion King and traveling together with the National Tour, during which time he had the honor of performing at The White House. Always in demand, Steven's many credits include Ataria, Cutman, G Word, Miss Saigon, Songs For A New World, Godspell, and A Chorus Line. He's been seen on film and television in The Electric Company (Leo Watson), Last of The Ninth (HBO Pilot), Made For Each Other, Expiration Date, and Game Over. For the last decade, Steven's Mufasa has been the heart and soul of The Lion King on Broadway. It was wonderful to reminisce and hear about not only his extraordinary career but how it has been impacted by the burgeoning career of his remarkable son, Steven Jr., a recent college grad and certainly a star in the making. Sit back and enjoy!

Today, I'm thrilled to announce my episode with one of theater's most brilliant directors, Daisy Prince. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how she first met Jason Robert Brown at a piano bar, the way in which Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince were opposite sides of a coin, the day that THE LAST FIVE YEARS was performed in chronological order, meeting her husband during THE PETRIFIED PRINCE, why she wasn't shocked by the closing of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, how a Yoko Ono musical led to SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, the mentorship she has received from Paula Vogel, Richard Maltby, Jr., and other great theater artists, how she came up with the idea for THE CONNECTOR, casting Ben Levi Ross and Hannah Cruz in starring roles, the rewards of staging a period piece, and so much more, including a heartfelt tribute to Gavin Creel given on the day of his tragic passing. You won't want to miss this conversation with a theater artist whose legacy has spanned generations. 

Shem Omari James (CC in Dreamgirls) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! Andrew and Shem discuss Once On This Island (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Southwark Playhouse) as well as the latest news about Nicole Scherzinger being cast in Sunset Boulevard, MJ West End casting, the Tony Awards and lots more. Having graduated from Arts Ed during the pandemic, Shem made his professional debut alongside Cedric Neal, Rachel Tucker, Rachel John and Ramin Karimloo in the digital production of Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown. He later reprised his performance when the musical was staged at the London Palladium for two performances.Shem's theatre credits also include The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Leicester Curve) and the world premiere of Vanara (Hackney Empire).Most recently, Shem played CC and understudied Jimmy in the first ever UK and Ireland tour of Dreamgirls. He's currently producing an LGBTQ+ cabaret at the Broadway Theatre in Catford as part of Pride Month celebrations on Saturday 17th June. Fore information about the concert, follow the I Can Be Collective on Instagram: @icanbecollectiveFollow Shem on Instagram: @houseofomarijamesHosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   

This week, the Johns venture a little bit off the traditional path and delve into the 1995 show, "Songs For A New World". They talk about the through-line that replaces a traditional plot, their thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of Jason Robert Brown's musical output, and how this show encapsulates the concept of Americana in a way that is more appropriate for the subject. Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Find the episode on your favorite podcast app or by going to https://anchor.fm/musicalminutes Intro and outro music ("BeBop 25") provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com Have a question for John or John? Want to leave feedback or tell us how wrong we are? Email us at musicalminutespodcast@gmail.com For more info on our hosts - please visit https://norine62.wixsite.com/musicalminutes

Having co-hosted our second ever podcast back in 2019, 251 episodes later Jay Perry is back and In The Frame! Jay recently completed a run in the West End production of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre. He joined the show as a standby before taking over as Aaron Burr for a six month run. Jay made his West End debut as a child in Whistle Down The Wind (Aldwych) before joining pop group S Club Juniors. He then returned to theatre as an adult, with his early credits including Gilbert in Hairspray (Gordon Craig Theatre), Rufus & cover Curtis in Save The Last Dance For Me (UK Tour) and a Drifter in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre). Jay joined the West End production of Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2017 as a cover for Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. He ended up becoming an emergency cover for Berry Gordy and then, in 2018, took over from Cedric Neal and played Berry Gordy for the final year of Motown's run, marking his West End leading man debut. After completing his run in Motown, Jay joined the Watermill Theatre's revival of Kiss Me Kate starring as Bill Calhoun. During the pandemic he was a standby in Songs For A New World at the London Palladium. On screen, Jay recently played Gabriel Chase in Doctors (BBC). Elsewhere, Jay works closely with the charity Mermaids who support gender-diverse kids, young people and their families. In this episode, Jay discusses leaving the Hamilton bubble, proving himself in the theatre industry and speaking out about what he stands for... plus lots more! Follow Jay on Instagram: @MrJayPerry Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

This week Harriet performs monologues she's written to help understand our characters and the girls check in on what scenes are left to write; while learning about Songs For A New World and discussing movies that could become musicals.

Shem is currently starring as Caladar in the world premiere of Vanara.Following its workshop performances and concept album, Vanara is being staged at the Hackney Empire. The musical is written by Tony Cucchiara, Gianluca Cucchiara, Andrew James Whelan and Michael Conley. This production is directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who also serve as dramaturg and choreographer respectively.Later this year, Shem will star as CC in the first ever UK tour of Dreamgirls which kicks off at the Liverpool Empire on 14th December. Having graduated from Arts Ed during the pandemic, Shem made his professional debut alongside Cedric Neal, Rachel Tucker, Rachel John & Ramin Karimloo in the digital production of Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown. He reprised his performance when the musical was staged at the London Palladium and was due to continue with the show for its run at the Vaudeville Theatre, which was sadly cancelled due to a lockdown.   He also appeared in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at Leicester Curve directed by Nikolai Foster.   Vanara runs at the Hackney Empire until Sunday 31st October 2021 before embarking on a UK tour in 2022.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

In this episode, Ally and Mark discuss the 1995 song-cycle, Songs for a New World!

In our 50th #SpotlightOn (https://twitter.com/ShowtimeURN) episode (I know, we can't believe it either!) we take a look at Jason Robert Brown (https://twitter.com/MrJasonRBrown) 's Songs For A New World, which you'll be able to watch online from 21st-28th February. Get your tickets here: stream.theatre/SongsForANewWorld (https://www.stream.theatre/season/46) Why not take a behind the scenes look at this virtual production of Songs For A New World: youtube.com/Z-am1UdDHb0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-am1UdDHb0) And have a taste of the fabulous music in the show by checking out the 2018 Off-Broadway cast recording (featuring Shoshana Bean, Colin Donnell, Mykal Kilgore and Solea Pfeiffer): www.youtube.com/MWsoo6SpU7s&list (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWsoo6SpU7s&list=PLFDnwYSxr6fwlP2PZqRvahWJavyzxCzng)

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture As we begin a new year, there may not be any sign of an actual date for the Tony Awards or a timeframe for the return of live theater, but with a new administration and the continued rollout of the vaccine, it feels like a new world anyway. With that in mind, the Next Best Theater team decided to take a look at the under-utilized form of musical storytelling, the song cycle, in the form of Jason Robert Brown's "Songs For A New World." Join Nicole Ackman, Casey Lee Clark, Cody Dericks, and myself as we journey through the sixteen "moments" of the first produced work of one of the great contemporary musical theater composer-lyricists. Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/nextbestpicturepodcast iTunes Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture

Kevin and Gus talk about the success of Songs For A New World plus a look at some of the exciting new shows coming this and next month See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We had to do an EMERGENCY episode to discuss Songs For A New World which was staged at the London Palladium starring Rachel John, Rachel Tucker, Cedric Neal, David Hunter and Shem Omari James.West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, is joined by journalist Lisa Martland (Editor of www.MusicalTheatreReview.com & former Deputy Editor of The Stage) to discuss why this was such a special, unforgettable, five-star production.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins@Andrew_TomlinsThanks for listening!Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures.

It's the morning after Hoogland's Songs For A New World. A wonderful virtual production filmed and streamed. I talk with Mary Kate Smith, one of the stars of the production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craig Williams II is the director of Songs For A New World, which will be available to stream on Friday, October 9th See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are getting closer and closer to the release of Hoogland's "Songs For A New World." The production is taped and being edited as we speak. There are also some live concerts this weekend, both are free. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome our first Audition Pianist to the show, as Josh Winstone joins Christopher Bartlett-Walford (All Together Now) for a giggly journey through listener's audition disasters. Those hilarious and embarrassing moments that happen in the casting room, that you DON'T normally get to hear! All anonymous & submitted by performers from around the globe. There's tonnes of tales in this week's show; from too many naked men in a waiting room, to two separate TERRIBLE lies on audition days (properly awful!), to strange music choices and what happens when you only sing the backing of the songs! Also, a great example of making it up as you go along, when your brain defaults!  FLASH! AAAAARGH! Josh also shares some excellent pearls of wisdom from the Accompanist's POV - a proper must listen for anyone in the #MusicalTheatre biz! Email your audition stories into the show at dontcalluspod@gmail.com & Tell your friends to check us out! -- If you've enjoyed the show, please Subscribe, and write a review on your podcast platform. It genuinely helps us be found by new listeners :). Catch up with all previous episodes now - there'll be people you know, people you don't, and every show is full of terribly hilarious Audition stories. -- Tickets to First Date on Oct 22 - 24 2020 - https://www.fane.co.uk/our-shows/first-date-the-musical/about-the-show Tickets to Songs For A New World on October 11th 2020 - https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/songs-for-a-new-world-2/ If you have the means, Josh would love you to support https://musicforall.org.uk -- Share the show on Twitter - @dontcalluspod Share the show on Instagram - @dontcalluspod -- Created and hosted by Christopher Bartlett-Walford Co-Produced & Artwork by John-Webb Carter With thanks to Jukedeck, Anchor & Zapsplat for Sounds #Theatre #Auditions #castings #stage #westend #broadway #musicaltheatre #comedy #theater  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dontcalluspod/message

For the next few weeks WINMI is going to be highlighting some amazing Hispanic artists, ranging from composers and dancers to actors and singers. And it's all in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.  In addition to these interviews I’ll be showcasing important creatives in Hispanic history. It’ll be a chance for us to learn about the wonderful artists who have made such an impact not only in Hispanic communities but to our nation as a whole.  And so we begin Hispanic Heritage Month with Jaime Lozano, a native of Monterey, Mexico. As a composer his works have been produced Off-Broadway, regionally here in the US, and internationally in France, Germany, England, and of course his home country of Mexico. Jaime has also taken on the roles of arranger, music director, and orchestrator, in addition to adapting, producing, and directing the Spanish world premiere of Jason Robert Brown’s THE LAST FIVE YEARS in 2006 and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD in 2005. And it was around that time that Jaime came to New York to study at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He's been on quite the journey and it's a fascinating story of an immigrant artist here in America. Follow Jaime: Website / Instagram / Twitter  Follow WINMI: Instagram / Twitter / Website  ————— Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/winmipodcast  Don't forget to check out all the helpful offers available to you through WINMI guests and partners: resources.winmipodcast.com  WINMI is a Top 20 Theater Podcast thanks to you!  https://blog.feedspot.com/theatre_podcasts/   ————— Music in this episode: "Yellow Light District" by Lobo Loco."Kitty in the Window" by Podington Bear."Basketliner" by Blue Dot Sessions.Savage, a musical by Tommy Newman and Jaime Lozano, performed and recorded at University of Alabama in Birmingham."Una Historia sin Final Concierto" by Jaime Lozano."Smooth Actor" by Podington Bear."Night Emotions" by Lobo Loco."Ayer" by Gloria and Emilio Estefan (Karaoke Track).

It's the final episode of the series, so we knew we needed a super stagey co-host... the one and only Joshua St. Clair (Frozen/City Of Angels)!In this episode, Andrew & Josh discuss Sleepless (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre) and Claudia Kariuki's set for Duality Music (Centrepoint). In addition to an industry update, Andrew & Josh cover the latest news about Songs For A New World, First Date, Theatre Royal Windsor and more.Josh's credits include: understudy Fiyero in Wicked (International Tour), swing in School Of Rock (Gillian Lynne Theatre), Harry & understudy Charlie in Kinky Boots (UK Tour) and Peter Kingsley in City Of Angels (Garrick Theatre). Next year Josh will play Pabbie in the West End production of Frozen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane!To watch Josh's vlog From Shabby to Pabbie, visit https://bit.ly/35rZoNd.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins@Andrew_TomlinsThanks for listening!Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures. 

Five months into the Broadway Shut Down due to the ongoing pandemic, Andréa sits down with me on Zoom to talk about growing up in a bi-cultural and bi-lingual household in Miami; finding her first best friend, two-time Tony winner, Katie Finneran; learning her value as actor; the origins of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD; working with Stephen Sondheim; and being in the room when all of the pieces came together during the developmental process of IN THE HEIGHTS. Recommended Viewing:https://rb.gy/osqz5jhttps://rb.gy/xtcd42

Justin Carter is in the Hoogland Center for The Arts' new production: Songs For A New World. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Performer Reece Kerridge (Starlight Express/Shrek The Musical) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! In this episode, Andrew & Reece discuss Songs For A New World & The Space Between as well as an industry update and the latest news about Jesus Christ Superstar casting, NT At Home, Lucie Jones' live album and lots more. Reece's theatre credits include: Our House (Union), The Book of Mormon (West End) and Shrek The Musical (UK Tour).  Most recently he was in rehearsals to play Brexit and understudy Rusty in the German production of Starlight Express. During lockdown he has launched the podcast That's All We Need For Today. Visit Reece's website, www.reecekerridge.com. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures. 

Arts journalist Marianka Swain (UK Editor-in-Chief of BroadwayWorld) co-hosts an action-packed episode of The West End Frame Show! In this episode, Andrew & Marianka dedicate an entire segment to the Hamilton film (Disney+) and also discuss Into The Unknown: The Making of Frozen II (Disney+) & Every Little Step (A Chorus Line documentary - Amazon Prime). This week there is news about the Government's £1.57bn one-off investment in UK culture and the launch of a new UK Theatre Fund headed up by The Society Of London Theatre & Sam Mendes with a £500,000 donation from Netflix to help theatre workers who have been unable to support themselves through the pandemic, particularly those who have been ineligible for Government aid and have not been able to work since theatres closed. There's also lots of news about Songs For A New World, The Mousetrap, Turn Up & Alice Fearn's garden! Marianka Swain is a London-based arts journalist and editor. She is the UK Editor-in-Chief of BroadwayWorld, writes a popular Strictly Come Dancing blog for Dancing Times magazine, and contributes to outlets such as The i Paper, the Telegraph, theartsdesk, the Ham & High, and TodayTix. Marianka returns to The West End Frame Show, having previously co-hosted S1 Ep11. Follow Marianka on Twitter: @mkmswain Visit Marianka's website: www.mkmswain.com Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. Thanks for listening! Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures. 

Matt sits down at the creative table with actor and educator Kevin Pease. Kevin comes to the studio as ambassador for the BEAUTIFUL production of Songs For A New World, presented by the I'm A Bright Kid Foundation at Paliku Theatre. Kevin talks story about his career, the IABK Foundation, and about his experience as a company member in this dynamic staging of Jason Robert Brown's song cycle, conceived and directed by Jade Stice. https://imabrightkid.org/tickets/

Today I sit down with Andrea Ginraj, the Vice President of the Canadian Women's Foundation!  If you have been following along with Cue To Cue you would know that I have been co-producing/directing and also performing in Songs For A New World with Matt Lucas at We Are Here productions!  Well, It's here! This wee is the week! Nov 27, 28, 29th at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre in Toronto at 8pm!  Ticket >>> http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/event/songs-for-a-new-world-benefiting-the-canadian-womens-foundation/ ALL of the money raised will be going to this amazing organization and cause! I sat down with Andrea to illuminate what exactly the organization does with their money and the kind of impact they have made to see effective real changes in society This is a very special interview. Take the time to listen and get educated.  And come have fun and see the show while supporting this amazing cause!      

Jon and Miranda discuss the work of Jason Robert Brown, including Songs For A New World, The Last Five Years and Bridges Of Madison County.Support the show (https://amtlive.org/2016/11/27/donate/)

Jon and Miranda discuss the work of Jason Robert Brown, including Songs For A New World, The Last Five Years and Bridges Of Madison County. Support the show (https://amtlive.org/2016/11/27/donate/)

We have all had it. That feeling of how am I going to get everything done? You have so many things all the go you don't know where to start? Today, I am opening up about the discovery I have made about one pattern that I have repeated for years when I kick it into overdrive and how it has gotten me results but ultimately made me sick, stressed, and unhappy. I am busting that pattern as I head into one of the fullest times in my life and how I am implementing a plan to keep me healthy, inflow, and joyful and how you can too! Episode References  SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD audition info! Deadline to submit: Oct.10th, 2019 – early submissions encouraged Audition Date: Oct.11th and Oct 13th. (Accepting Self Tapes) Performance Dates: Nov.27 – Nov.29 Rehearsals Start: 1st Week of November Send Headshot and Resume to: wearehereproductions@gmail.com Share this episode of Cue To Cue:     

Hear what Jason Robert Brown has to say to about his music, shows, and Hal Prince, the man he called a role model and friend. About the Guest The New York Times refers to Jason as “a leading member of a new generation of composers who embody high hopes for the American musical.” Jason’s score for THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY received two Tony Awards (for Best Score and Orchestrations). HONEYMOON IN VEGAS opened on Broadway in 2015 following a triumphant production at Paper Mill Playhouse. A film version of his epochal Off-Broadway musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS was released in 2015, starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan and directed by Richard LaGravenese. Other major musicals as composer and lyricist include: 13, PARADE (Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for Best New Musical, Tony Award for Original Score); and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, a theatrical song cycle directed by Daisy Prince, which played Off-Broadway in 1995. Future projects include a new chamber musical created with Daisy Prince and Jonathan Marc Sherman called THE CONNECTOR; an adaptation of Lilian Lee’s FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE, created with Kenneth Lin and Moisés Kaufman; and a collaboration with Billy Crystal, Amanda Green, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel on a musical of MR. SATURDAY NIGHT. For the new musical PRINCE OF BROADWAY, a celebration of the career of Harold Prince, Jason was the musical supervisor and arranger. Other New York credits as conductor and arranger include URBAN COWBOY the MUSICAL on Broadway; DINAH WAS, off-Broadway and on national tour; WHEN PIGS FLY off-Broadway; William Finn’s A NEW BRAIN at Lincoln Center Theater; the 1992 tribute to Stephen Sondheim at Carnegie Hall (recorded by RCA Victor); Yoko Ono’s NEW YORK ROCK at the WPA Theatre; and Michael John LaChiusa’s THE PETRIFIED PRINCE at the Public Theatre. Jason orchestrated Andrew Lippa’s JOHN AND JEN, Off-Broadway at Lamb’s Theatre. Additionally, Jason served as the orchestrator and arranger of Charles Strouse and Lee Adams’s score for a proposed musical of STAR WARS. As a soloist or with his band The Caucasian Rhythm Kings, Jason has performed concerts around the world. For the past four years (and ongoing), his monthly sold-out performances at New York’s SubCulture have featured many of the music and theater world’s most extraordinary performers. His newest collection, “How We React and How We Recover”, was released in June 2018 on Ghostlight Records. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com) Support this podcast

Very excited to introduce our next guest, Jalynn Steele! Jalynn is a talented performer with a dynamic stage presence and magnetic personality. Born and raised in Texas, Jalynn began singing in church and became involved in theatre, music and dance throughout her school years. During which she starred in shows including; The World Goes Round, Songs For A New World & The Wiz. During her last year of college Jalynn joined the national & international tour of Fosse in the Principal Role. Next, she explored the high seas as a party band singer with Holland America then joined the Norwegian Cruise Line family, dominating in various shows including Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, After Midnight and many more. After returning to New York, she played lead in the Off-Broadway smash Sistas, and continued work in Regional Theaters. Jalynn is currently preparing to tour nationally with The Lightning Thief starting in January 2019. Live! Laugh! Love!

This Week: Looking at Songs For A New World, Jagged Little Pill, Ethel Merman, Ginger Rodgers, and the wicked Windy City. Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Songs for a New World is not a typical piece of American musical theatre. There is no book or “story”, per se, with a standard beginning, middle and end. There are no characters to follow from Act I to Act II. There are no lavish production numbers and set and costuming are minimal. “Songs…” is exactly what it says it is – a collection of stories told through song. They are by composer/lyricist Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Honeymoon in Vegas) and were apparently written over several years for several different projects while he performed in New York City nightclubs and piano bars. Brown has linked the 16 songs in the piece by the barest of threads. As Brown himself says, “It’s 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.” It’s about the choices we all make in life. The production is a labor of love for producer Lucas Sherman, best known to the local theatre community for his work as musical director and pianist on numerous projects for a variety of companies. Sherman retains that role in this production as well as taking the reins of stage direction and performer. Joining Mr. Sherman for vocal duty are Robert Finney, Daniela Innocenti-Beem and Kat Ray. Mr. Sherman also retains piano-playing duty and is joined by Abe Newman on bass, Quinten Cohen on drums, and Erica Bergeron on percussion. The songs are written and performed in a variety of styles ranging from pop and rock to gospel and jazz. Half are solos, the rest are duets or ensemble numbers. Some are comedic, some are dramatic, some are inspiring, some are downbeat. Regardless of tone or design, they all have the feel of musical theatre, so much so that you almost wish there were entire shows written around some of them. For such a variety of style and themes, a versatile cast is required and Sherman provides one (including himself.) While experience does tell, each performer is given his or her own moment to shine. For Finney, it’s telling the story of a youth overcoming the hardships in life and pressing on in “The Steam Train.” Kat Ray’s moment came with “Just One Step” the darkly comedic tale of a woman’s futile attempt to get the attention of her husband from the ledge of their high-rise apartment building. Sherman acquits himself quite nicely with his earnest delivery of “She Cries”. Dani Beem, clearly the most experienced performer and most comfortable in a musical revue-type show, showed her versatility with her regret-filled woman looking back at what money couldn’t buy in “Stars and the Moon” and as a frustrated Mrs. Claus in the show-stopping “Surabaya Santa”. Beem also nicely duets with Sherman in “I’d Give It All for You”, a song about lovers reuniting after realizing they can’t be apart. The aforementioned musicians provide these performers with excellent accompaniment which is no small feat due to the variety of styles at play. Being it’s really more of a staged concert than a full-fledged musical production and it’s staged in the Spreckels’ small Condiotti space, errors or missed notes would not be easily masked. No such concerns with these talented musicians. The musicians were just as much a pleasure to listen to as the singers. Songs for A New World is a difficult show to review as it is actually 16 different shows in one. Rather than subject you to 16 mini reviews I’ll just say that, like in most shows, some songs hit better than others – both in form and delivery – but that collectively it’s a very appealing night of song and theatre. Because of its unfamiliarity, it’s the type of show that demands an audience’s attention. As with any good storytelling, there are rewards to be had from careful listening. You may not know the songs, but you’ll be glad you heard them. Songs… can be heard Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons through May 7. For more information, go to spreckelsonline.com

You guys, I have to say that interviewing today’s guest, Andrea Burns, was one of the most fun hours I’ve ever spent in a theater. First of all, she had heard of our little podcast before, which i LOVED, but second, she was just completely game to share her stories and answer my sometimes ridiculously vague questions. I first fell in love with Andrea as Daniela the fabulous and maybe just a little bit gossipy hair dresser in "In The Heights" and I was completely blown away by her as Glosria Fajardo—Gloria Estefan’s mother—in this season’s "On Your Feet." Of course Andrea's long list of credits really begins with Jason Robert Brown’s groundbreaking "Songs for a New World" back in 1995. Also, did you know that those two went to summer camp together? Oh, last thing—I LOVE recording these interviews in dressing rooms before showtime because I think it really offers our listeners a sense of what it’s like backstage before the show starts. And that includes some interruptions and sound checks and other shenanigans. Rather than editing around that, I’ve left it all in because I love it. I hope you do too. Ok, here’s our conversation.

Candi and Randy welcome Billy Porter, Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical for Kinky Boots, to talk about his many careers - as actor, director, writer, recording artist - with the emphasis on artist. Billy stars in the hit Broadway show, Kinky Boots (music by Tony Award winner Cyndi Lauper, written by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, directed by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell), and is working on his upcoming new CD, "The Standard."  Early in his career, Billy appeared in several successful Broadway shows (MISS SAIGON, GREASE, FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE  and SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE) and wrote his own one-man shows GHETTO SUPERSTAR and AT THE CORNER OF BROADWAY AND SOUL.  Other plays he has appeared: TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and DREAMGIRLS, and the song cycles MYTHS AND HYMNS and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD.   His song, "Time" became an overnight hit after being featured on the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance."  Billy appeared as "Belize" in the Signature Theatre Company's 20th Anniversary off-Broadway production of Tony Kushner's ANGELS IN AMERICA.

Candi and Randy welcome the fantasticly talented Billy Porter to talk about his many careers - as actor, director, writer, recording artist - with the emphasis on artist. Early in his career, Billy won the national talent show Star Search, appeared in several successful Broadway shows (MISS SAIGON, GREASE, FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE  and SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE) and wrote his own one-man shows GHETTO SUPERSTAR and AT THE CORNER OF BROADWAY AND SOUL.  Other plays he has appeared: in TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at City Theatre, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and DREAMGIRLS at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and the song cycles MYTHS AND HYMNS and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD.   His song, "Time" became an overnight hit after being featured on the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance."  In September 2010, Billy appeared as "Belize" in the Signature Theatre Company's 20th Anniversary off-Broadway production of Tony Kushner's ANGELS IN AMERICA.  Billy will be starring in a new Broadway show this coming season, KINKY BOOTS (music by Cyndi Lauper, written by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, directed by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell), and is working on his upcoming new CD, "The Standard."

My guests are: Actress, Kate Linder ("The Young And The Restless") Actress, Andrea Arvanigian ("Songs For A New World") Actor, Malek Hanna ("Life In Progress") To hear this show: http://www.latalkradio.com/Sheena.php For more info: http://www.sheenametalexperience.com

My guests are: Actress, Kate Linder ("The Young And The Restless") Actress, Andrea Arvanigian ("Songs For A New World") Actor, Malek Hanna ("Life In Progress") To hear this show: http://www.latalkradio.com/Sheena.php For more info: http://www.sheenametalexperience.com

RoseColored Glasses announces its 2009 Season! Songs for a New World June 25 - 28 Words and Music by Jason Robert Brown Lights come up on a single woman. Another woman and two men soon join her. Their hopes and dreams, fears and failures conjure up images of explorers setting out to find new lands. The Americas of yesterday, today and tomorrow join hands across time and together discover SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. Says the author of this gripping revue, “it’s 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.” Jason Robert Brown transports you 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 basket-ball 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. These are the stories and characters of today, the songs for a new world. Edgar’s Ghost October 7 - 11 Written by Jim Liddle Not much is known about the death of Edgar Allen Poe. One of the greatest literary minds was found in a stupor on the side of the road in Baltimore. EDGAR’S GHOST imagines that in those final moments, while he lay dying in the hospital, he is visited by his creations. The Raven. The Tell-Tale Heart. The Black Cat. Hop-Frog. And we certainly can’t forget Virginia, his lovely cousin-bride. Was she the fabled Lenore? Or was Lenore another woman? QUILT: A Musical Celebration December 1 - 6 Music by Michael Stockler, Lyrics by Jim Morgan Few who have seen the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt can ever forget the experience or the powerful emotions evoked by this patchwork of panels celebrating the memory of a friend or family member who has died of this terrible scourge. This series of stories for, from and about the Quilt is threaded together by a volunteer's experience while making a panel in memory of a friend. In monologues and songs that bring the audience through the full range of emotions, QUILT, A MUSICAL CELEBRATION commemorates the victims and survivors of this disease and the ones left behind.