Songs For A New World

PEP are relatively new kids on the block and it's easy to forget this is only their forth year of existence. And I think that is their first achievement right there. They are carving their own place in our theatre community and I think with this presentation of Songs for a New World they are a big step closer to finding it.

 If you're looking for a Musical that has a story line, well, go see Oklahoma, because you wont find that with Songs! However, Jason Robert Brown's break out piece has a charm of it own, and also a huge following to boot. Each song tells a different story; I think this is either a productions blessing or it's curse. I think if I directed shows, I would be giving this one a miss because it would be a total brain strain. There's not a lot in the text to feed off. As much as the music and the lyrics are amazing, it can easily become a stand and sing sort of affair.

I'll start at the top. It's obvious director Julia Roper put in the hard yards. Not only that, but I could see collaboration with her cast. Not all directors are into collaboration. Some prefer to almost give orders, but it was obvious from the presentation that Julia is flexible and willing to let her cast experiment. I think that really puts younger performers at ease; and considering that seems to be the majority of the people involved in PEP, that really works for this company. It also means that the performers will care more about what they're doing if they feel like they were a big part in creating it. I would have liked to see the performers pushed a little more for deeper emotions though. Not just in the sad tear jerker songs, but all the time. After all, there's no character growth or dialogue in this show, but that doesn't mean there should be light and shade in each of the pieces. Not so they are individual, because the great JRB wrote them like that, but so each song has the stamp of the performers on them. A small gripe, but a great, solid job from Julia.

Musical Direction was near flawless from Vicki Barden, with some audience members wondering if the singers were actually singing to backing tracks, the music was so tight! A fantastic band indeed. The singing was produced very well with only a few rare hints of struggle. The harmonies knocked my socks off! The strength of the ensemble singing was wonderful.

The lighting was extremely effective from Daniel Jow. It's a difficult space to use in any capacity, but Daniel's lighting was very pleasing on the eye, and really added to the drama of moments like “On the Deck of A Spanish Sailing Ship”. Sometimes I felt it overwhelmed, mainly when there was only one person on stage. Sometimes less would have been more. But I quite enjoyed the lighting over all, and this is something I usually feel quite neutral about. The sound was quite good, but the balance with the band was so good that if a mic momentarily failed the singer could still be heard. Maybe that just happened but well done anyway Les Marton on a fairly seamless job. The set was really colourful with a ramp, a...... big box with steps on one side (does that have a name) and platform with the colourful motive were utilized really well by the cast. The backdrop was slowly revealed as the cast pulled off the black drapes covering it. I think on the night I came that didn't go quite to plan but the idea was an effective and appropriate one.

I felt there were too many people in the show. The space didn't really look crowded, it's just that.... I wanted to see more from them!!! With most, one solo song wasn't enough for me. That's my biggest gripe I think, that there were too many people it was hard to focus on people as much as I would have liked too.

Songs for a New World talks of moments, so I'm going to list you my favourite cast moments. When I first heard the ensemble sing in the final chorus of the opening. The first verse of “On the Deck of a Sailing Ship” delivered with such intensity by David Barclay, and when Josie Pulitano tenderly sang the female verse. When the lights came up on Latecha Cadle crawling up the stairs in skin tight pants and stilettos, but of course managing to keep to keep her drink upright whilst black mailing her husband in “Just One Step”. When Jenter knocked over his girl friend in “Steam Train” - probably a silly thing to say in a review but it was really funny!!! The three elves in Surabaya Santa... an inspired idea and the boy stole the show! When Harrison and Naomi first embraced in “I'd Give It All For You”. And, when I heard “Hear my Song”, the whole thing was beautiful to listen to. I would like to say though, I would have liked to have seen a little more connection with the text. There was no elaborate blocking or much chorey, so it's emotion that pushes Songs along. I would suggest that the next time the cast tackle such difficult material like this that they really think about what every lyric means to add more dimensions to their interpretation. I hate to sound like the Donkey from Shrek, but sometimes I felt there were not enough “layers”.