For its inaugural event, New City Music Theatre (NCMT) – a non-profit company originally founded as Cleveland Musical Theatre in 2014, to create inclusive experiences for a contemporary generation – will present a star-studded one-night-only concert staging of Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown’s popular theatrical song cycle Songs for a New World on Thursday, August 26. The socially distanced outdoor production, beginning at 7:30 pm, will be performed in the Radial Park entertainment multiplex at Halletts Point, Queens, against the breathtaking backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.
Connected by the theme of “the moment of decision,” the collection of songs captures the stories and characters of today, with a fresh, contemporary perspective. Brown has explained his work, examining life, love, and the choices we make, as being “about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, or take a stand, or turn around and go back.”
The roster of powerhouse voices from Broadway and beyond includes Aladdin alum Telly Leung and current star Michael James Scott, respectively performing “The World Was Dancing” and “Flying Home;” Tony nominee Nancy Opel (Wicked) bringing her comedic style to “Just One Step;” Bre Jackson (The Color Purple; The Book of Mormon) giving voice to “The Flagmaker, 1775;” Marc G. Dalio (Beauty and the Beast tour) and Heath Saunders (The Great Comet) doing a duet on “The River Won’t Flow;” and Darian Sanders (The Lion King tour) singing “Steam Train.”
Grace Stockdale (Waitress 1st National Tour), Nya (The Spongebob Musical tour), Nick Drake, and music director Rick Edinger will open the show with “The New World,” as well as providing backup vocals throughout the evening. Rounding out the stellar cast are Christy Altomare (Anastasia), Derek Klena (Jagged Little Pill), Bonnie Milligan (Head over Heels), Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots; Smokey Joe’s Cafe), Shereen Pimentel (West Side Story), and Ciara Renée (Frozen), along with dancers Yeman Brown (Jagged Little Pill), Jennifer Florentino (Moulin Rouge), Zuri Noelle Ford (West Side Story), Yuka Notsuka, and Michael Anthony Sylvester. Please note that Tony nominee Jenn Colella (Come from Away), previously announced to perform the number “She Cries,” has withdrawn from the show for personal reasons.
NCMT Producing Artistic Director Miles J. Sternfeld directs the production, with music direction by Rick Edinger and choreography by Ahmad Simmons. The musical performances are enhanced by Theron Wineinger’s scenic design, lighting by Alan Edwards, a sound design by Julian Evans, and costume consultation by Jake Poser.
Songs for a New World plays Thursday, August 26, at 7:30pm, by New City Music Theatre, at Radial Park, Halletts Point, Queens. For more information and tickets (starting at $30), go online.