Shoshana Bean in ‘Songs for a New World.’ (Photo: Joan Marcus)
Only a handful of audiences witnessed the stellar New York City Center 2018 Encores! Off-Center production of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World last summer. But theater geeks rejoice! Ghostlight Records is releasing a new recording of the landmark musical (now available for pre-order) in streaming and digital formats, and a two-CD set on Friday, January 25, 2019.
This is the musical’s first recording since the world premiere album over 20 years ago. In the ensuing years, these songs have become staples of contemporary musical theater, including the modern standard “Stars and the Moon.” The CD package includes a 16-page booklet with production photos and a note from Jason Robert Brown. Customers who pre-order the digital album will immediately receive a download of the first single, “Surabaya-Santa.”
Mykal Kilgore in ‘Songs for a New World.’ (Photo: Joan Marcus)
The album is based on New York City Center’s Encores! Off-Center production last summer, helmed by Kate Whoriskey, director of the recent Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony-nominated Sweat. It featured choreography by Rennie Harris and music direction by Tom Murray. The show starred Shoshana Bean, Colin Donnell, Mykal Kilgore, and Solea Pfeiffer. The album is produced by Jeffrey Lesser and Jason Robert Brown, with Stacey Mindich and Kurt Deutsch serving as executive producers.
The debut musical from three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Bridges of Madison County), Songs for a New World (1995) is a collection of powerful songs examining life, love, and the choices ordinary people make when faced with extraordinary moments. From the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship to the ledge of a Fifth Avenue high-rise, each character faces the new world which follows the unique challenge they encounter.
Songs for a New World was presented at City Center from June 27-30, 2018 and was hailed as “buoyant, restorative, and immensely winning” by The New York Times and “rapturous, beautiful, and awesome” by New York Stage Review. AM NewYork raved that it was “unexpectedly thrilling” and praised the cast’s “powerhouse vocals coupled with great acting choices.”
Brown is also represented on Ghostlight Records with his new solo album How We React and How We Recover and his debut solo album, Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes, in addition to The Last Five Years (2002 Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording, 2013 Revival Off-Broadway Cast Recording, and 2015 Motion Picture Soundtrack), 13: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Album, Original West End Cast Recording) and The Bridges of Madison County (Original Broadway Cast Recording).
To pre-order, visit: ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/
