Act 1 Presents Jason Robert Brown’s "Songs for a New World"

Powerful musical marks the close of Act 1’s successful 2020-2021 virtual season.

Act 1 DeSales University Theatre presents the final production of its Virtual 2020-2021 Season with Jason Robert Brown’s musical, “Songs for a New World.” The production will stream online Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, 2021. 

With a demanding and powerful score, “Songs for a New World” is a moving collection of songs that examine life, love, and the choices we make. With the theme of being in a moment of decision, the musical is particularly relevant considering that, for the past year, individuals have been faced with making decisions they never thought they would be making.

The production is directed by Dennis Razze. "I'm very excited to be directing this contemporary musical revue of great Jason Robert Brown songs,” says Razze. “It was his first produced show which was followed by ‘Bridges of Madison County,’ ‘Parade,’ and ‘The Last Five Years.’ Each song tells its own story and captures a time in the character's life when they faced a 'moment of decision.’  And it's a thrill to be collaborating once again with Nathan Diehl, musical director, and Stephen Casey, choreographer, on this exciting piece of musical theatre."

The production has been double cast, allowing more of DeSales’ Performing Arts students an opportunity to perform—a testament to the amount of talent in the Division of Performing Arts. “Because of COVID-19 and the restrictions, we were limited to only one musical this year,” says Anne Lewis, Head of the Division of Performing Arts. “However, we are blessed with so many very talented students we were able to fully double cast this production of ‘Songs for a New World.’ Under Dennis Razze's creatively beautiful direction, both these casts shine.”

The production company, Digital Feast, through their work with Performing Arts faculty, and assisted by DeSales’ TV/Film students, have made the filming of this production possible. The Division of Performing Arts is grateful for their contributions. 

The talented design team, Will Neuert (sets), Amy Best (costumes), Eric T. Haugen (lighting), and Ian P. Carr (sound), have created a beautifully theatrical production that lends itself seamlessly to being filmed.

“Songs for a New World” will stream online Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, 2021. The cost is $15 per viewer. Order viewing passes online at tickets.desales.edu, or by calling the Labuda Box Office at 610.282.3192. The day prior to your selected production date, you will be sent a reminder email which will include your production link and password, with instructions on how to view.

Please be advised that groups (ten tickets or more) are not available online. To purchase a group viewing, please call Group Sales Manager, Melody Marshall, at 610.282.3654, Ext. 2.