"Songs for a New World" new concept

[roquat]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 11:05pm

I saw a very good production of "Songs for a New World" at the Spotlighter's Theatre in Baltimore last night. They set the show in a subway station--the stories came from various people passing through. The "King of the World" was a homeless guy ranting in people's faces. Santa was a Salvation Army bell-ringer. And the Flagmaker was apparently a poor flag-stitcher whose son was away in Iraq--during her song, the rest of the cast ominously folded a flag upstage, which was handed to her at the end, signifying that her son had died. Then he entered (as a ghost) to sing "Flying Home". Not seamless, certainly, but it was an enormous pleasure to see a real attempt to tackle this conceptually difficult show, with a passionate and well-sung cast.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 11:07pm

Interesting. Was it with the usual 4 person cast, or was it expanded? I heard of an LA production in which Man 2 (the black guy) was played by an actor of Middle-Eastern descent and it was all about the Iraq/US. Don't know if it worked, but I agree that anything fresh is welcome.

[roquat]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 11:04pm

They expanded the cast to six, actually--kept the Afro-American concept, but it wasn't as central--these were just different people passing through the same subway station. The "River Won't Flow" performers were dressed as the janitorial staff. The two "I'd Give It All for You" singers were not singing to (or about) each other; they were each reading letters from long-lost lovers they were meeting (who entered to greet them at song's end.) The lighting was very evocative; a singer would be in the middle of a fantasy, and then a train would go by or several people would enter and break it up. All in all, as workable a concept as exists for this show.

[Eliza0114]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 11:15pm

sounds awesome! it's such a hard show to do...I'm glad you saw a good version of it.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 11:57pm

that really sounds enjoyable... i love it when new, thought-through concepts are employed, especially for tough shows like this...

can you tell me who was in the cast? i had a friend doing this show in baltimore, but i can't see it and wasn't sure what theatre he's doing it at...

[apdarcey]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 12:10am

ok. i checked. my friend was in this production... i would love to hear some more details if you could... please? his name is evan shyer... tall, long dark hair.

[crazyforyou2]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 12:23am

my friend is doing lights at that show...

now im really interested in going to see it

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 12:36am

lol apdarcey... I just IMd Evan and gave him the link to this thread. I did CLOC with him last summer!

[apdarcey]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 12:38am

really? i saw your into the woods.

Posted: 7/19/05 at 12:42am

I love Spotlighters! I am going to try to see it next weekend. Also, the Everyman Theatre is doing The Last Five Years as its first show of the season. I am studying there, and am having a great time.

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 12:47am

I was the Baker's Wife!

[apdarcey]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 12:49am

for real? me and my brother were in love with you. we saw your opening night of that show when little red literally forgot every word.

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 12:56am

lol Yes, she sure did. But, you try to learn Into the Woods in a WEEK! It was quite an experience. So cool that you were there!

[renthead2005z]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 7:54am

See it on fri. night...i am in a youth theatre program there, and it is ten bucks each, also, if you go back with someone who hasn't been before..you get in for free...everyone see it fri night!!!!!!!!

[renthead2005z]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 4:27pm

go see it!!!!!!!!!!!

Updated On: 7/19/05 at 04:27 PM