In Durango, a musical take on US history

A strong student case elevates production of ‘Songs for a New World’

The newly formed Fort Lewis College Musical Theatre Department has been taking chances offering performances that perhaps push boundaries and make the audience step outside of a comfort zone to question the world as they know it. This is how I look at the college’s most recent production of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World.

It is not your typically musical in that it consists of numerous vignettes that inspire something within us to look for both personal and societal changes. Songs for a New World premiered off-Broadway in 1995, but it almost feels more relevant nearly three decades later.

Director Michael McKelvey places emphasis on the music and its message by dressing the actors in modern street clothes and having them performed on a nearly blank stage in a black box theater. The only set dressing is some burlap-type material strategically draped to hide the band at the back of the stage. There is, however, a large screen that projects images when needed to drive the lyrical messages further home.

The show opens with performer Jade Sophia, who seems to lead the company through its moments. Her vocals are soulful, powerful and pure. She commands the difficult instrumentation developed by Brown and leaves the audience wanting more as she tells the story of those immigrants crossing the ocean to the New World in search of better life, yet meeting struggles along the way.

Next up is Haley Sandford, who offers a dark comedic look at the life of a New York socialite with Brown’s Just One Step. Sandford returns to the stage in a solo as Betsy Ross making the first flag in 1775. Her voice is lovely and strong, as she approaches her solos with the ease of an accomplished vocalist.

There are three men in the 12-member ensemble – Travis Carlson, Wyatt Krob and Warren Rockett, and all three hold their own in a cast made up of mostly women. The entire ensemble does a wonderful job of storytelling through song, because that is basically what this musical does. A Song for a New World looks at the history and the foundation of the United States, and then, uses singular moments in the lives of regular people to invoke emotions, laughter, tears and patriotism.

This is a show better suited for an adult audience as there are themes that might not resonate with children. One such bit is that of Surabaya Santa, featuring the vocals of Bella O’Bryan. This is an off-color story about Santa and his lascivious nature toward his scantily clad reindeer (the rest of the members of the ensemble). It is hilarious and lewd, and not really for young audiences.

The rest of the show could be considered a teachable experience for teens and young adults. Regular theatergoers in the area will recognize the rest of the cast made up of Stacia Baker, Iris Hughes, Maya Mouret, Ryann Nunley, Haley Sandford and Caroline Smith.

With beautiful its songs, powerful stories and a live band on stage, A Song for a New World is another must see for Durango and Southwest Colorado audiences that love musical theater.