FREE ENTERTAINMENT
WHO'S GONNA BE BORED TOMORROW NIGHT? NOBODY!!!
That's right-- it's free admission to Songs for a New World at Lake Superior Theatre! It's an amazing compilation of contemporary music that anybody could enjoy. AAMOF, here's a copy of
Lake Superior Theatre's third production of the season, "Songs For A New
World", opened this past Wednesday and will play through Sunday, August 7.
"Songs For A New World" is a departure from LST's two previous productions;
a musical revue rather than a musical. If you haven't encountered a
musical revue before, you're in for a treat. Rather than a scripted play
with a plot or story line, a revue is simply a collection of songs, usually
by a single composer or composing team. Rather than a character or an
actor, the music is the star of the show. "Songs For A New World" features
the music and lyrics of Jason Robert Brown, probably best known as the
composer-lyricist of "Parade" Brown has provided a selection of his works,
in an assortment of musical styles, built around a single idea. He says,
"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." This thread ties the
songs together. The rest is up to the cast, and at LST they have risen to
the challenge.
LST artistic director Dave Dagenais has assembled a cast of four talented
actor-singers to interpret Brown's songs. Bill Duguid, Heather Lake,
Chelsea Rogers and Jeff Spencer function as an effective ensemble; no one
is "the star", no one stands out above the others. Everyone has solo
moments; at other times everyone sings together. Their voices blend and
separate, combine and recombine, to present ninety minutes of beautiful
music. Some of the songs are serious, some are comic, and they span past
and present as they look to the future. The cast, individually or as a
group, effectively interprets each song in light of the choice, which the
character has made or is about to make. The orchestra of four musicians,
led by Kathy Strazzinski, ably supports the actors. Instruments and voices
blend in exactly the right proportions, with neither overpowering the
other. Dagenais' blocking and cast member Chelsea Rogers' choreography
combine to keep the show's pace quick and active.
Technical support for the actors is simple, unobtrusive, and very
effective. The scenic design, by Adam Manty and Nicole DeYoung, provides
room for group movement, as well as spots for private moments, and cleverly
integrates the orchestra into the stage picture. Mia Cinelli's costumes
are equally simple and effective, allowing actors to move in and out of
their songs easily. Kelly Stephenson's lighting design provides the
marvelous variety of looks demanded by the wide range of song moods. Each
song has its own appearance, ranging from daylight to moonlight to
starlight to Christmas lights. Sound reinforcement receives the ultimate
compliment: I know microphones were being used, but I couldn't tell it by
listening.
As mentioned above, the real stars of "Songs For A New World" are the
songs. As an audience member, you will find your own favorite (mine was
"Surabaya-Santa, a hilarious parody of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, in
which Mrs. Santa bemoans her life at the North Pole!). Some are serious,
some are humorous, some are touching, and all are emotional. All are
interpreted by the actors, but you'll interpret each song in light of your
own experience. You can fit the songs into the author's idea of "the
choice". You can create your own theme. Or you can just enjoy the
beautiful presentation of the music.
But, however you approach the music, "make the choice" to see and hear
"Songs For A New World"!
(Vic Holliday is an associate professor of theatre at Northern Michigan
University, and the Designer for NMU's Forest Roberts Theatre)
Free admission, Lake Superior Theatre, boathouse on the lower harbor in Marquette, Sunday night at 7:30. Be there!!!!! And find me and let me know what you think!!!
That's right-- it's free admission to Songs for a New World at Lake Superior Theatre! It's an amazing compilation of contemporary music that anybody could enjoy. AAMOF, here's a copy of
Lake Superior Theatre's third production of the season, "Songs For A New
World", opened this past Wednesday and will play through Sunday, August 7.
"Songs For A New World" is a departure from LST's two previous productions;
a musical revue rather than a musical. If you haven't encountered a
musical revue before, you're in for a treat. Rather than a scripted play
with a plot or story line, a revue is simply a collection of songs, usually
by a single composer or composing team. Rather than a character or an
actor, the music is the star of the show. "Songs For A New World" features
the music and lyrics of Jason Robert Brown, probably best known as the
composer-lyricist of "Parade" Brown has provided a selection of his works,
in an assortment of musical styles, built around a single idea. He says,
"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." This thread ties the
songs together. The rest is up to the cast, and at LST they have risen to
the challenge.
LST artistic director Dave Dagenais has assembled a cast of four talented
actor-singers to interpret Brown's songs. Bill Duguid, Heather Lake,
Chelsea Rogers and Jeff Spencer function as an effective ensemble; no one
is "the star", no one stands out above the others. Everyone has solo
moments; at other times everyone sings together. Their voices blend and
separate, combine and recombine, to present ninety minutes of beautiful
music. Some of the songs are serious, some are comic, and they span past
and present as they look to the future. The cast, individually or as a
group, effectively interprets each song in light of the choice, which the
character has made or is about to make. The orchestra of four musicians,
led by Kathy Strazzinski, ably supports the actors. Instruments and voices
blend in exactly the right proportions, with neither overpowering the
other. Dagenais' blocking and cast member Chelsea Rogers' choreography
combine to keep the show's pace quick and active.
Technical support for the actors is simple, unobtrusive, and very
effective. The scenic design, by Adam Manty and Nicole DeYoung, provides
room for group movement, as well as spots for private moments, and cleverly
integrates the orchestra into the stage picture. Mia Cinelli's costumes
are equally simple and effective, allowing actors to move in and out of
their songs easily. Kelly Stephenson's lighting design provides the
marvelous variety of looks demanded by the wide range of song moods. Each
song has its own appearance, ranging from daylight to moonlight to
starlight to Christmas lights. Sound reinforcement receives the ultimate
compliment: I know microphones were being used, but I couldn't tell it by
listening.
As mentioned above, the real stars of "Songs For A New World" are the
songs. As an audience member, you will find your own favorite (mine was
"Surabaya-Santa, a hilarious parody of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, in
which Mrs. Santa bemoans her life at the North Pole!). Some are serious,
some are humorous, some are touching, and all are emotional. All are
interpreted by the actors, but you'll interpret each song in light of your
own experience. You can fit the songs into the author's idea of "the
choice". You can create your own theme. Or you can just enjoy the
beautiful presentation of the music.
But, however you approach the music, "make the choice" to see and hear
"Songs For A New World"!
(Vic Holliday is an associate professor of theatre at Northern Michigan
University, and the Designer for NMU's Forest Roberts Theatre)
Free admission, Lake Superior Theatre, boathouse on the lower harbor in Marquette, Sunday night at 7:30. Be there!!!!! And find me and let me know what you think!!!