Spanish immigrants sailing to a new land. A housewife standing on the ledge of a 57th floor high rise apartment. A man who believes basketball is his ticket out of an impoverished life. A woman who married for money and questions her choice. A disillusioned Mrs. Claus. All of these characters and more give life to the score of Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown.
Traditionally performed by a cast of four, this production has been expanded to highlight the talents of twenty Victor J. Andrew High School students. The ensemble brings to life these characters faced with a choice. Do we leave what we know for an unknown destination? Take a leap? Leave the relationship we thought would bring joy? Or do we continue on with the choices we’ve made?
Unlike traditional book musicals, Songs for a New World is a song cycle. While there is no overarching plot, each song is a mini-musical of its own complete with characters and story. Each song contemplating the decisions we make and the consequences for each choice. Together, the songs take on a greater sense of what it means to be human. What does it mean to love and to want love? What does it mean to be vulnerable? What do we do when what we thought we wanted wasn’t what we wanted at all?
Just like life, Songs for a New World is amusing one moment, sorrowful the next, but ever hopeful for the future. The perfect musical at this time of the year, Songs for a New World asks us to reflect on who we are and who we want to be.
Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Performances are December 6 and 7 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, December 8 at 3:00 pm. Adult tickets are $9 each and student, child and senior citizen tickets are $7 each. Please visit https://boxoffice.d230.org to order tickets online or email Lisa Gonwa at lgonwa@d230.org for more information.
