| Songs for a New World | |
|---|---|
 World Premiere Recording | |
| Music | Jason Robert Brown |
| Lyrics | Jason Robert Brown |
| Productions | 1995 Off-Broadway 1998 St. Louis, MO 2001 Off-West End 2015 Off-West End 2018 Encores! 2020 West End 2021 West End |
Songs for a New World is a work of musical theatre written and composed by Jason Robert Brown. This was Jason Robert Brown's first produced show, originally produced Off-Broadway at the WPA Theatre in 1995. Brown and director Daisy Prince put together songs he had written for other venues and events, resulting in "neither musical play nor revue, it is closer to a theatrical song cycle, a very theatrical song cycle."[1]
The show lies between musical and song cycle, but it is neither; it is an abstract musical, a series of songs all connected by a theme: "the moment of decision."[1] The show has four performers who do not play the same characters throughout the show but who do have consistently developing character arcs nonetheless. Composer Brown has said "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."[2]
Because of its small cast and orchestra, Songs for a New World has become a favorite small show for colleges and local theatres, despite its vocally demanding score.
- ^ a b " 'Songs for a New World' Storyline and Musical Numbers" guidetomusicaltheatre.com, accessed April 2, 2012
- ^ ' 'Songs For A New World' Recording with Liner notes" masterworksbroadway.com, accessed April 2, 2012