
Songs for a New World
January 28-February 7, 2021
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Directed by Kara Scaramazza ('18)
Music Direction by Peter A. Hilliard
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. These are the stories and characters of today, the Songs for a New World. The first musical from Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices that we make.
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Content Advisory
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Production Staff
Director of Photography - Taj Rauch
Costume Designer - Janus Stefanowicz
Lighting Designer - Jerry Forsyth
Sound Designer - Michael Kiley
Scenic Designer - Asaki Kuruma
Props Master/Scenic Charge - Sharri Jerue
Technical Director - Jake Rothermel
Director of Digital Strategy - Kimberly Reilly
Production Manager - John Flak
Dramaturg - Matthew Reddin
Stage Manager - Veshonte Brown
Cast
"The New World" soloist - Sharese Salters
"On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship 1492" and "Flying Home" soloist - Charlie Barney
"Just One Step" soloist - Cristy Chory
"I'm Not Afraid" soloist - Amanda Atkinson
"The River Won't Flow" soloists - Frankie Frabizzio and Mason Olshavsky
"Stars and Moon" soloist - Lora Margerum
"She Cries" soloist - Mason Olshavsky
"The Steam Train" soloist - Cristian Rodriguez
"The World Was Dancing" soloists - David Burgess and Tina Lynch
"Surabaya Santa" soloist - Angela Rose Longo
"Christmas Lullaby" soloist - Meghan Dietzler
"King of the World" soloist - Mikal Odom
"I'd Give it All for You" soloists - Brian Jacko and Emily Sgroi
"The Flagmaker, 1775" soloist - Erin Coffman
Dramaturgical Resources
Click here to download our study guide by Education Dramaturg Cristy Chory.
Click here to see Production Dramaturg Matthew Reddin's dramaturgical website.
SONGS Speaker’s Night (Mon, Feb. 1, 8:00pm)
- https://villanova.zoom.us/s/99789072941
- Zoom webinar format open to the community
- featuring Kara Scaramazza, Peter Hilliard, Taj Rauch, Michael Kiley, and Matthew Reddin
- hosted by Michael Hollinger
- Ask your burning questions via the Q&A function (similar to chat), facilitated by Cristy Chory
About the Composer/Lyricist

Jason Robert Brown is a Tony Award winning composer, lyricist, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, director and performer best known for his unique and innovative musical scores. His major musicals as a composer and lyricist include The Bridges of Madison County for which he won two Tony Awards (for Best Score and Orchestrations); Honeymoon in Vegas; The Last Five Years which was turned into a movie in 2015 starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan; Parade which won both the Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for Best New Musical and the Tony Award for Best Original Score; and Songs for a New World.
Jason spent ten years teaching at the USC School of Dramatic Arts, and has also taught at Harvard University, Princeton University and Emerson College. Jason studied composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., with Samuel Adler, Christopher Rouse, and Joseph Schwantner. He lives with his wife, composer Georgia Stitt, and their daughters in New York City. Jason is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802. Visit him on the web at www.jasonrobertbrown.com.
About the Director

Kara Scaramazza is a theater and dance artist and educator from New Jersey. Kara is a proud graduate of Villanova University's Masters in Theatre program where she was an Acting Scholar. She received her BA in Theatre Performance from Wagner College where she was able to choreograph for the Dance Project. Director-Choreographer credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mamma Mia, and Freaky Friday. Kara has performed at Arizona Broadway Theatre, Waterfront Playhouse, Surflight Theatre, Broward Stage Door Theatre, and the Palace Theatre. Kara is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.