Longwood University Theatre

Songs for a New World is a work of musical theatre written and composed by Jason Robert Brown. This was Jason Robert Brown’s first produced show, originally produced Off–Broadway at the WPA Theatre in 1995. Brown and director Daisy Prince put together songs he had written for other venues and events, resulting in “neither musical play nor revue, it is closer to a theatrical song cycle, a very theatrical song cycle.”

The show lies between musical and song cycle, but it is neither; it is an abstract musical, a series of songs all connected by a theme: “the moment of decision.” The show has four performers who do not literally play the same characters throughout the show but who do have consistently developing character arcs nonetheless. Composer Brown has said “It’s about one moment. It’s about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, or take a stand, or turn around and go back.”

Performances will be April 12th to 16th in the Mainstage Theatre in CSTAC.

Get you tickets now at https://longwoodtickets.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx

Next Wednesday, February 1^st.  Wygal Auditorium.  6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

(The Director of Crimes is willing to make arrangements for those in the cast of Crimes to be able to audition for Songs)

READ BELOW from, Musical Director, Dr. Chris Swanson for Audition Songs and other singing information!

Sheet Music for each song is available in PDF, or limited printed copies

EMAIL Bruce Speas (speasbo@longwood.edu) for PDF files or copies.  Specify for Woman 1 or 2, Man 1 or 2.

Welcome singers and actors to the auditions for Songs for a New World. To prepare for your audition, be ready to sing one of the following cuts:

Audition songs:

Woman 1

1.4, “I’m not Afraid”, mm. 1-27

 Or

2.11, “I’d Give it all for You”, mm. 47-84

Plus vocalization (Range: F#3-Ab6)

Woman 2

1.3, “Just One Step” mm. 1-80

 Or

2.14, “The Flagmaker,” 1775, mm. 1-27

Plus vocalization (Range: F3-F5)

Man 1

1.2, “Opening Sequence II: On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492” mm. 1-43

 or

2.12 “King of the World” mm. 9-42

Plus vocalization (Range D3-C5 (F5))

Man 2

1.7, “She Cries,” mm. 5-54

 Or

2.13, “I’d Give it All for You,” mm. 8-44

                  Plus vocalization (Range F#2-C5)

Important notes:

– You may also be asked to vocalize through your range during the audition. 

– Songs do not need to be memorized for this audition. 

– Some songs are very high, especially those assigned to “Man 1.” In some cases we may make musical adjustments to fit the needs and abilities of our cast.

– Although this show was originally conceived for four singers this production may cast up to eight singers to share the 17 songs. The list below shows how the songs are cast according to the score and the original off-broadway recording. Keep in mind that, depending on our cast, we may assign songs, or parts of songs, differently. 

– If you have questions about the music or about preparing the music for the auditions, contact Dr. Chris Swanson (swansoncl@longwood.edu, Wygal 221)

Woman 1, 13 songs (5 extended solos)

        Range: F#3-Ab6

1.1  Opening Sequence I: The New World, ensemble

1.2  Opening Sequence II: On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492, ensemble

1.4 I’m not Afraid, solo

1.5 The River Won’t Flow, ensemble

1.5a Transition to “Stars and the Moon”, solo

1.6 Stars and the Moon, solo

1.8 Steam Train, ensemble

2.9 The World was Dancing, ensemble

2.11 Christmas Lullaby, solo

2.13 I’d Give it All for You, duet

2.15 Flying Home, ensemble

2.16 Final Transition: The New World, ensemble

2.17 Hear my Song, ensemble

Woman 2 11 songs (3 extended solos)

        Range: F3-F5

1.1  Opening Sequence I: The New World, ensemble

1.2  Opening Sequence II: On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492, ensemble

1.3  Just One Step, solo

1.5  The River Won’t Flow, ensemble

1.8 Steam Train, ensemble

2.9 The World was Dancing, ensemble

2.10 Surabaya Santa, solo

2.14 The Flagmaker, 1775, solo

2.15 Flying Home, ensemble

2.16 Final Transition: The New World, ensemble

2.17 Hear my Song, ensemble

Man 1 10 songs (5 extended solos)

        Range D3-C5 (F5)

1.1  Opening Sequence I: The New World, ensemble

1.2  Opening Sequence II: On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492, featured solo

1.5  The River Won’t Flow, ensemble

1.8 Steam Train, featured solo

2.9 The World was Dancing, ensemble

2.12 King of the World, solo

2.13a Transition into “The Flagmaker”, solo

2.15 Flying Home, featured solo

2.16 Final Transition: The New World, ensemble

2.17 Hear my Song, ensemble

Man 2 10 songs (3 extended solos)

        Range F#2-C5

1.1  Opening Sequence I: The New World, ensemble

1.2  Opening Sequence II: On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492, ensemble

1.1  The River Won’t Flow, ensemble

1.7 She Cries, solo

1.8 Steam Train, ensemble

2.9 The World was Dancing, featured solo

2.13 I’d Give it All for You, duet

2.15 Flying Home, ensemble

2.16 Final Transition: The New World, ensemble

2.17 Hear my Song, ensemble

ALL ARE INVITED TO COME AUDITION FOR LONGWOOD THEATRE’S INITIAL PRODUCTION OF THE 2022-2023 SEASON!!!!!

OPEN TO ALL LONGWOOD STUDENTS! AUDITIONS FOR SHAKESPEARE’S COMEDY: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Wednesday, August 24th, 6 PM – 9 PM

CSTAC LAB THEATRE

Prepare 1 to 2 minute Shakespearean monologue preferred (assigned cold reading optional for those without monologue)

CALLBACKS Thursday, August 25th, 6 PM – 9 PM

PERFORMANCE DATES: Sept. 28th – Oct. 2nd

FIRST READ-THROUGH REHEARSAL FRIDAY, AUG. 26TH!

REHERSALS BEGIN MONDAY, AUG. 29TH

Get your tickets now for the musical comedy which will close our 21-22 season, First Date! The show is April 6th to the 10th. Tickets available weekdays from 1:30 to 5:30 at the box office in CSTAC, or online at longwoodtickets.com

Less than 40 seats left for the entire run! Get your ticket before it’s sold out! https://longwoodtickets.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx

The upcoming production of “An Evening of Very Short Plays” will be held in the Lab Thetare in CSTAC, February 25th and 26th at 7pm, and the 27th at 2pm.

Tickets are no charge, but as seating is limited, you MUST have a ticket.

Don’t wait! Get yours now at https://longwoodtickets.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx

Only three chances to come enjoy musical theatre! November 12th through 14th. Seats will sell fast for this limited seating show so get yours now at https://longwoodtickets.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx

Listen to Isabelle O’Keefe, Longwood Theatre student performing in “Boston Marriage”, talk a little about the show on the Call Flo Morning show on WFLO this morning. (9/29)

https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/b/b/5/bb57c9b4abcce7e5/Call_Flo_-_September_29_2021.mp3?c_id=112276961&cs_id=112276961&destination_id=153735&expiration=1632949517&hwt=72c8728ed0b50958a35d655987888f7e