Travel to a New World in a new way

DUE to COVID-19 a planned production of the Broadway musical Songs for a New World set to be put on by Staged by Creatives couldn’t open in Ballarat.

So the local group came up with another idea, record the musical at the George Hotel and make it available to stream so you can watch it in the comfort of your own home at anytime.

The show opens with the title song from the company’s six outstanding performers who remind us that in a world, when everything seems stable and certain, all it takes is one moment to upend and change anyone’s life.

Presented in concert style, the production was created in the 1990s by Jason Robert Brown for a cast of six singers and storytellers.

They present a collection of stylistically varied songs meant to be connected but aren’t taking us on a musical journey between the world as we know it today and a world in the future.

With no sets or costumes new Ballarat boutique theatre group Staged by Creatives offer audiences a very different musical.

Directed by Dylan Shalless and Laurence Heenan we are treated to a first class production.

Musical and choral director Daniel Lamech and his five piece band are truly an integral part of the production with lighting also very important to this shows success.

The ensemble of six, feature some of the best artists around, Bronte Wright, Jolan Walker, Laurence Heenan, Vanessa Belsar, Emily Jacker Lawrence and Dylan Shalless.

All possess an incredible ranges a fluid continuum of styles and an abundance of emotional intelligence maximising the poignant impact of the story in each song.

Whatever our own new world looks like this production reminds us of the decisions we must take to get us there.

Songs for a New World is available to stream for a limited time, Visit stagedbycreatives.com.au for more info.

-BY GARRY WEST