As theatre creators scramble to create during the panoramic, I’ve seen most virtual productions fall into separate camps. There are shows that are desperately trying to be a ‘regular’ production and are either ultimately unsafe or fall flat completely. Some shows end up completely messing with our idea of what “theatre” can be; while these processes are very interesting and inspiring, sometimes, we’re still longing for that ‘theatre’ experience. Rarely, there are productions that find some way to capture a little bit of that theatre magic that we’re all missing. New Light Theatre’s Songs for a New World was one of those productions.
Songs for a New World is a song cycle with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown.
New Light Theatre is a nonprofit, professional theater based in Delaware. They are committed to bringing light to the darkness by creating theatre that raises awareness and support for causes that improve the human condition while placing special emphasis on providing opportunities for emerging young theatre artists to work in a professional setting. You can learn more about New Light by visiting their website. Songs for a New World is being produced as a video on demand. The show features a cast of Garrick Vaughan (Man 1), Jessica Money (Woman 1), John Battagliese (Man 2), and Kat Lemon (Woman 2.) Lena Mucchetti and Newton Buchanan acted as co-directors while Tom Mucchetti music directed.
I had the pleasure of watching Songs on Sunday, January 10th, and it was the breath of fresh air that I needed. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been binging a lot of anime and Taiwanese sitcoms which is pretty astounding, but I was really starved for that breath of spontaneity that comes from a theatrical performance. WOW, these performers delivered. There’s normally a sense of detachment that comes from watching theatre through a screen, but these performers made it impossible to look away. They each handled their individual solos with so much vulnerability that the audience has no choice but to lock in and come along for the ride. Each actor made such interesting choices both vocally and physically that I was consistently kept on my toes. Lemon’s 100% commitment to her emotional and physical circumstances in songs like “Just One Step” and ‘Surabaya-Santa” put those songs on the map for me; her care in her storytelling immediately made me resonate with her characters. Money’s smooth and buttery voice paired with her courageous vulnerability made “I’m Not Afraid of Anything” shatter my heart. Battagliese dominated the screen in songs like “She Cries”with a sense of power that can be viscerally felt despite the restrictions of the virtual platform. Vaughan, the vocal gymnast, was so physically and vocally committed to his objective that “On the Deck of a Sailing Ship” and “King of the World” were full of exciting choices that set him apart from the greats that performed the numbers before him.
Garrick Vaughan in Songs for a New World
Performances aside, the song cycle structure of Songs really lends itself to a virtual theatre production because the performers nor creatives had to sacrifice much of their anticipated artistry in order to adapt to the virtual platform. The show is comprised mostly of solos with ensemble vocals and some duets, so the distanced nature of the production didn’t contrast with the show’s original structure. The strength of JRB’s piece is the minuscule moments of life that weave the complicated lyrics and melodies together. Viewing the performance on a screen with a focused camera angle allows the audience to really zero in and live in those moments more than they would be able to from Row J in the mezzanine. The performers’ vulnerability definitely helped because it’d be awkward if we zoomed in and there was nothing to see. The team at New Light made a very wise choice in picking Songs for a New World to showcase virtually because this new form elevates the audience’s relationship with the original material.
I chatted with actor with Jessica Money (Woman 1) to gather insight on the process. Money had worked on several socially distanced productions prior to Songs: some were plays that were entirely rehearsed and showcased virtually and others were turned into mixed media productions that merge the worlds of theatre and video game. Because of the structure of this production, Money said that this process took the least amount of her time. The actors were given a lot of agency in learning their tracks. Music director Tom Muchetti provided them with accompaniment tracks to aid their rehearsal and was readily available if they needed any more guidance. All in all, the majority of the production was rehearsed independently.
Jessica Money in Songs for a New World
This separation could foster a proces that makes the performers feel very alone. While Money did miss the camaraderie of learning the show with her castmates, she was able to rehearse with her duet partner (Battagliese) in order to get a feel for each other’s choices and energies. The cast also distancedly met to watch the first cut of the show. The musicals was rehearsed distancedly, but it was also performed distancedly. The idea of performing these vulnerable songs in front of a camera with the team and recording crew standing feet away wearing face guards could be very isolating. That was not the case. Money could not stop singing the praises of the New Light team. Everyone was open and enthusiastically present. Money even said that while performing her duet ‘I’d Give it All for You,’ stage manager Carlyn Miller acted as her offscreen scene partner. “She was giving me everything!” Money expressed great gratitude for having twitch which to exchange energy.
To conclude our interview i asked money a very difficult question: “Did this feel like theatre?” She brought up the use of the camera, the ability to start over and try again, and rehearsing independently as ways in which this process was unfamiliar. However, when it all comes down to it, when those lights came on and Muchetti started playing that lush JRB score, it was over. “I’m here under these lights. I’m gonna do this thing.”
New Light Theatre’s production of Songs for a New World was just extended through January 17th! The production is partners with the Theatre Philadelphia Emergency Relief fund, which provides financial assistance for local theatre artists whose livelihood has been impacted by the COVID-19 panda express. Make sure to get your tickets!
the cast of New Light Theatre’s Songs for a New World
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