Songs for a New World

Author(s): Jaron

Location: IL

"Songs for a New World"

Directed by– Jason Robert Brown
Written by Jason Robert Brown, with creative consultfrom Sofia Coppola.
Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, from his showSongs for a New World.
Director of photography- Tak Fujimoto
Production designer- KK Barrett
Costumer- Alexandra Byrne
Editor- Jay Rabinowitz

Main Cast

Woman #1 [Soprano] – Sherie RenéScott
Woman #2 [Alto] – Patti Lupone
Man #1 [Tenor] – Wilson Jermaine Heredia
Man #2 [Baritone] – Hugh Jackman

Tagline: "Without music, would the world still be turning?"

Synopsis: Based on the Off-Broadway show of the same name, Songs for a New Worldis a revue of original songs written by songwriter Jason Robert Brown, looselytied together with the prospect that they are songs for a new world. There are16 different songs, 16 different settings and as many as 30 differentcharacters all played by 4 actors (who are never exactly given names.)

The film begins with an almost out-of-time prologue with all four characters singing, (“The New World”)and eventually ends with another out-of-time epilogue. (“Hear My Song”) In between, there are numerous solos and each star gets their highlights: Woman #1(Scott) sings “I’m Not Afraid of Anything” (as a down-to-earth but unsure woman), “Christmas Lullaby” (as a confused pregnant woman), and the original song written for the film “Turning.” She also sings a love duet, “I’d Give it All for You” with Man #2 (Jackman). Man #2 also has the solos “She Cries” (as a man desperate to leave a relationship), “TheRiver Won’t Flow” (as a newly individual young man), and “The World Was Dancing” (as a man afraid to take risks).

Also performing is Man #1 (Heredia),who sings “On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship 1492,” as ChristopherColumbus, “The Steam Train,” as a rising basketball star, “King ofthe World,” as an imprisoned father, and “Flying Home,” as a soldierreturning from war. Woman #2 (Lupone) has the solos “Just One Step,” asan addled Connie Chung, “Stars and the Moon,” as a self-centeredsingle-girl looking for wealth, “Surabaya Santa,” as a dramaticLatino-style Mrs. Claus, and “Flagmaker 1776” as a desperate Betsy Ross.

Woven together cleverly, followingsimilar films such as Paris je t’aime or New York Stories, the 16vignettes all feel like their own film, but emotes itself as an extraordinary comingof age film.

What the Press would say:

"A film with a new sense of grace and power that has never been like anything on screen before…Songs for a New World is a standout of the year. Jason Robert Brown, normally a writer, directs quite nicely and keeps true to his original off-Broadway play. The technicals provide a great palate for your senses, going between many styles of color, types of editing, and costumes to appropriately fit the variety of song style. The technical directors of their crafts should be lauded for their brilliant work. The four-person ensemble cast is extremely nice, blending their talents together and holding their own consistantly, a considerable feat that lesser actors could diminish with the ever-changing atmosphere of the film. The best partsare the group numbers of the show; seeing the four talented actors and singers work together is nothing short of amazing. Overall, Songs for a New World is a very charming, very entertaining movie that will leave all feeling recharged and hopeful.

Potential awards:

Best Picture
Best Director, Jason Robert Brown
Best Supporting Actor, Wilson Jermaine Heredia
Best Supporting Actor, Hugh Jackman
Best Supporting Actress, Patti Lupone
Best Supporting Actress, Sherie René Scott
Best Film Editing, Jay Rabinowitz
Best Costume Design, Alexandra Byrne
Best Sound Mixing
Best Original Song, “Turning,” – Music and Lyrics by JasonRobert Brown, Vocals by Sherie René Scott