Shoot for the "Stars and the Moon" with SJU Theatre Company’s "Songs For a New World"

The Saint Joseph’s Theatre Company closes it 2017-2018 season with the production of Songs for A New World by Jason Robert Brown, opening Thursday, April 26 at 8 p.m. in the Bluett Theatre.

The abstract musical, first produced off-Broadway at the WPA Theatre in 1995, features more than 12 characters. The story frequently changes scene, moving from the deck of a Spanish ship to the ledge of a New York penthouse. The characters range from a young man in the Bronx who dreams of becoming a famous basketball player to a young woman facing a loveless marriage. Jason Robert Brown, the show’s composer, is best known as the writer, lyricist and composer of the Last Five Years.

“We chose to present Songs For A New World, the first work we have presented by Tony Award-winning composer,” said Renee Dobson, associate professor of theatre, “because Brown’s music is not only representative of the contemporary musical theatre but also very challenging.”

Twelve students perform in this production: Nicole Butch ’21, a biology major from Bensalem, Pennsylvania; John Degnan ’18, an economics major from Chalfont, Pennsylvania; Francesca DeSapio ’18, a theatre & film major from Frenchtown, New Jersey; Samantha Jenkins ’21, a theatre & film major from Baltimore, Maryland; Charles Lawall ’21, a biology major from Newtown, Pennsylvania; Audra Lutz ’21, a music major from Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania; Lillian McCann ’21, a theatre & film major from Monmouth Beach, New Jersey; Brendan McGill ’21, an English major from Collegeville, Pennsylvania; Alexis Mignogna ’21, a communication studies major from Voorhees, New Jersey; Jennifer Tague ’20, a communication studies major from Ambler, Pennsylvania; Alexander Velazquez ’20, a political science major from Clementon, New Jersey; and Raymond Zuhowski ’21, a criminal justice major from Toms River, New Jersey. 

Performances will run April 26-28 at 8 p.m. with a closing matinee on April 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be reserved online or by calling 610-660-1181, and can be purchased at the box office one hour before the show with cash or check. Credit cards are not accepted. Tickets are $10 for students with a valid ID, SJU faculty and staff, senior citizens and children under 12. General admission is $20. Bluett Theatre is located on the Saint Joseph’s University campus in Post Hall at 56th Street and Overbrook Avenue.