Songs for a New World

The off-Broadway cabaret Songs for a New World, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, ran for 28 performances at the WPA Theater in New York City in 1995. Original cast members include Brooks Ashmanskas, Andrea Burns, Jessica Molaskey, and Billy Porter (Porter's part was sung by Ty Taylor on the original cast recording). Jason Robert Brown's first produced show, Songs for a New World includes the songs "The New World", "I'm Not Afraid of Anything", "Stars and the Moon", "She Cries", "Surabaya Santa", "Christmas Lullaby", "King of the World", "I'd Give It All for You", "The Flagmaker, 1775", and "Hear My Song".

Musical style

Songs for a New World contains music which is influenced heavily by Pop, Gospel, Jazz and Classical music, and therefore is an example of musical pastiche. Yet, unlike most modern revues on Broadway, every song utilizes at least two of these styles profoundly, making this show both eclectic and highly dramatic. For example, the song "The New World" mixes pop and gospel, changing keys climactically.

Musical breakdown

The show requires four dynamic cast members (two male singers, two female singers) and five pit orchestra members. The instrument most pronounced in the musical arrangement is the piano, which dominates all of the show's music. Also pronounced is the drumset, bells, synthesizer and congas. Because of its small orchestral requirements, Songs for a New World, though difficult to sing and perform, is a favorite small show for colleges and local theatres. Jason Robert Brown also wrote The Last Five Years, a two-person show about a failed relationship, and Parade, the tragedy of Leo Frank.

Song list

1. Opening: The New World
2. On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492
3. Just One Step
4. I'm Not Afraid of Anything
5. The River Won't Flow
6. Stars and the Moon
7. She Cries
8. The Steam Train

Intermission

1. The World Was Dancing
2. Surabaya-Santa
3. Christmas Lullaby
4. King of the World
5. I'd Give It All For You
6. The Flagmaker, 1775
7. Flying Home
8. Hear My Song

External links

1. Musical Theatre International's Synopsis
2. A link to a Last Five Years Fansite