How to go
What: “Songs for a New World”
Where: The Lofino Center, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (July 18-19)
Cost: $25, which includes hors d’oeuvres. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
Tickets: Call (937) 429-4737, email boxoffice@bctheatre.org or visit online at www.bctheatre.org.
FYI: Seating is limited.
Beavercreek Community Theatre isn’t taking the summer off. In fact, the troupe will deliver a special fundraising presentation of Jason Robert Brown’s poignant 1995 song cycle “Songs for a New World” on Friday and Saturday at the Lofino Center.
An Off-Broadway cult favorite that launched Brown’s prominent musical theater career, “Songs” is comprised of an array of character-conscious selections addressing decision, discovery, love, and self-awareness. Best known for the wonderfully introspective ballad “Stars and the Moon” (a particular favorite of six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald), the beautifully intricate score includes “I’d Give It All for You,” “She Cries,” “I’m Not Afraid of Anything,” “King of the World” and “Hear My Song.”
“This show is about the point in your life when everything is going smoothly until something happens that turns your life upside down,” explained director Doug Lloyd. “And when that moment occurs you either take a new road or take a few steps backward. This show simply speaks to times when you have to look in a new direction. Each song deals with an emotion and the moral at the end is whatever happens in your life you’ll be fine as long as you keep a song in your heart.”
“Songs,” which will be performed cabaret-style with the audience seated at tables on stage, was originally written for four voices, but Lloyd chose 10 actors due to a strong audition pool. The cast is comprised of Sam Downs, Sean Hurley, Danielle Kubasky, Kelli Locker, Pam McGinnis, Megan Rehberg, Lindsay Sherman, Kaela Smith, Victoria Tuccillo, and Ray Zupp. David McKibben serves as musical director. Pianist Jen Clark and percussionist Jeff Goodrich will provide accompaniment.
“There were so many people interested in being in this production and we wanted to give more people an opportunity to be involved,” said Lloyd. “Not everyone has a full song to themselves but they all have solos throughout the show. ‘Songs’ is all about the music. I hope the audience enjoys hearing all of the tight harmonies within the score in a very intimate setting accompanied by only a piano and drums.”
Above all, Lloyd, who will stage Stephen Sondheim’s darkly comic masterpiece “Sweeney Todd” for BCT in the fall, hopes “Songs” serves as a productive fundraiser to aid general operating costs.
“We’re always looking to upgrade lighting and sound,” he said. “We particularly want to purchase a track system in order to fly set pieces onto the stage rather than rolling them in and out. We also want to purchase more body microphones. Most people don’t realize how quickly certain items wear out over time and how expensive they are.”
Brown is a three-time Tony winner who received best original score honors for “Parade” and “The Bridges of Madison County” in addition to best orchestrations for “Bridges.” His other works include “The Last Five Years,” “Urban Cowboy,” “13” and “Honeymoon in Vegas.”
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