(Socially Distanced Rehearsal | Photo by Craig Brauner)
Musical Impressions Studios will present Songs For A New World, a musical song cycle by award winning composer Jason Robert Brown, for one drive-in live performance on August 14, 2020 at New Hope Church (20080 Pinebrook Blvd., Bend, OR 97702) at 7:30pm and an additional performance on August 21, 2020 at Les Schwab Amphitheater at 7pm.
Songs For A New World transports audiences through time and space to meet a startling array of characters — every one of them so different, but all representing our world today and our hopes for a new world… a better world. The first musical from Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Bridges of Madison County, 13), this moving collection of powerful songs examines those moments in life where we have to make a choice, take a stand or turn around and go back.
Directed by Angelina Anello-Dennee and Craig Brauner, Songs For A New World will be staged as a unique, drive-in theatrical event on August 14, 2020 at New Hope Church in Bend, as well as on the stage of Les Schwab Amphitheater on August 21, 2020. “COVID-19 has impacted artists and arts organizations globally,” said directors Angelina Anello-Dennee and Craig Brauner. “As theatre artists in the community, we sought to find a way to adhere to the state guidelines and create theatre. We gathered a talented and committed group of local actors and musicians to collaborate on this unprecedented project. We want to see that theatre arts continue to thrive in our community and found a fun and creative way to make it happen.”
Songs For A New World has a run time 1 hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission. The show will also be available for video-on-demand streaming. Songs For A New World is rated PG-13.
The cast of Songs For A New World includes Gracie Conant, Stephanie Von Aydan, Jarod Gately, Amy James, John Kish, Natalie Manz, David Purkey, Stephen Wagner and featuring Michelle Mejaski.
The creative team of Songs For A New World includes Angelina Anello-Dennee (director, vocal director), Craig Brauner (director, creative director), Scott Michaelson (music director, pianist), Christina Larkin (percussion), Kelli Brooks (bass), Brant Himes (drums), and Suzie Hughes (stage manager).
Tickets are $15 for the drive-in performance at New Hope Church on August 14, 2020 and $20 for the Les Scwhab Amphitheater performance on August 21, 2020. Tickets can be purchased online HERE.