 |
Although “Songs for a New World” has been around since
1995, it has a contemporary feel, as shown in the production by Hillbarn
Theatre & Conservatory.
It’s not a drama as such. There’s no dialogue, nor are
there named characters in the songs by
Jason Robert Brown.
Instead, the performers go by Woman 1 and 2, and Man 1
and 2. Together and individually they sing songs meant to convey ideas such as the
hope that brought people across the sea to a new world, as expressed in “On the
Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492,” performed by Man 1 (Sidney Matthew Román).
After that there are songs of despair, such as the company’s
“The River Won’t Flow,” which refers to homelessness.
There also are songs of hope, of love lost and regained,
and the human cost of war.
Six panels with projected images are suspended over
the stage in Eric Olson’s scenic design as a way to illustrate and amplify the
feelings of the songs.
The floor is painted with phrases like “Ocean of
Despair,” “The Lonely Desert,” “Delta of Desire” and others.
Much credit for the projections goes to Cindy Goldfield, They become quite contemporary in some of the latter songs,
especially “Hear My Song,” which is accompanied by photos from the protests that
followed recent ICE actions in Minneapolis, including the murders of Renee Good
and Alex Pretti.
Besides designing the projections, Goldfield skillfully
directed this production and its movements.
The four cast members are all good singers and actors.
Besides Román as Man 1, they are Coleton Schmitto as Man 2, Sophie Oda as Woman
1 and Jessica Coker as Woman 2.
Music director and keyboardist Jad Bernardo directs two
other musicians on an upstage platform.
The costumes are by Stephanie Dittbern with lighting
by Pamila Gray and sound by Jeff Mockus.
Because this is live theater, glitches sometimes arise.
Such was the case opening night when Román’s mike suddenly went out during his “King
of the World,” but he continued singing as if nothing were wrong. His mike
worked thereafter.
Another more subtle problem was a backlight seen on
the audience’s left that flickered throughout the show.
Running about 90 minutes without intermission, “Songs
for New World” will continue through May 17 at Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 E.
Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City.
For tickets and information, call (650) 340-6411 or
visit www.hillbarntheatre.org.
