Metro School of the Arts Student-Directed 'Songs for a New World' in Lorton

Metropolitan Youth Theatre students of the Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) of Alexandria and Lorton, Va. will present its student-directed and produced performance of Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for a New World” on Fri., Nov. 6 at 8 p.m., Sat., Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sun., Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at the W-3 Theatre at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Va. Tickets can be purchased online at www.metropolitanarts.org.

This production is completely student run and performed by Metropolitan School of the Arts high school students studying to have careers in theatre. Chad Vann of Alexandria, Va. is the director, while Sam Cornbrooks of Springfield, Va. is the producer. James Woods of Northern Virginia is the music director.

Newcomer Jason Robert Brown, composer-lyricist of the critical smash “Parade, “has had the whole theatre community talking about his blend of savvy showmanship and exciting contemporary sound for years, starting with this revue.

Brown transports his audience 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 basketball 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.

“We continue to be awe-struck by our student-run theatre productions,” said Melissa Dobbs, founder and president of Metropolitan School of the Arts Alexandria and Lorton, Va. “Each part of the show, from direction and production to performance is carefully crafted,” said Dobbs.