Homecoming weekend, Oct. 24-27 Milligan’s Musical Theatre performed “Songs for a New World” in Gregory Center’s McGlothlin-Street Theatre.
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre, Dr. Carrie Klofach was the sole director of the production. The cast included: senior Maggie Booher, sophomores Katie Cochran, Margaret Siglin, Kevin Odom and freshmen Hannah Alford, Joey Reese and Jacob Wilson.
The musical was written by Jason Robert Brown. The musical is written with specific lyrics and chord choices so that each song tells a different story. Brown wrote most of the songs in this production before he was 22.
Klofach said that one reason she enjoyed directing the show was because the material basically directs itself. “Jason Robert Brown is such a fantastic writer, and I feel his lyrics are strong enough that you don’t need a flashy set or crazy intricate costumes to tell the story,” Klofach said.
The set was made up of two black staircases on either side of the stage with the band placed upstage in the center. With every number, each character had a different costume, and there were minimal props used in the show as well.
Klofach picked Songs for a New World because she wanted to give students the opportunity to work on a smaller scale musical. “This is also one of the most challenging musicals when it comes to harmonies and rhythm, but when a singer gets it, it’s magic,” Klofach said. “I also love how each song is an individual story but becomes part of the greater whole.”
A common theme in this production is community because each character finds refuge in one another as they overcome hardships of their new world. Each song has the ability to stand alone and tell an individual story, but when woven together, they create a complete story.
“I hope the audience realizes no matter how alone they feel, there is always someone who can relate to their troubles, and the Master of all Creation is waiting to show us the way and for us to trust he will lead us to a new world,” Klofach said.
If you missed this musical event you can catch the musical buffs in their next performance of “A Musical Zoo” on Nov. 2 in Seeger Chapel.
Headline photo: The cast performs their closing number ”Hear My Song.”