BWW Exclusive: The 5 Days of MIDSUMMER; Day 5- 'Merry Wanderer'

By: Sep. 25, 2015
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

Broadway Records releases the World Premiere Recording of A ROCKIN' Midsummer Night's Dream today, September 25th, 2015. The album is now available at www.BroadwayRecords.com and on iTunes and other retailers. 100% of the profits of this album go to support the important work of the 12.14 Foundation and its New Arts program.

This brand new musical adaptation of Shakespeare's beloved play features music by Eric Svejcar, lyrics by William Shakespeare with additional lyrics by Eric Svejcar and Michael Unger. With direction by Michael Unger, this musical was created for the 12.14 Foundation's summer program, New Arts: Newtown Musicals. This organization grew out of a response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, and its long-term goal is to build a performing arts and education center in Newtown as a memorial to the events of 12/14/12.

Crafting a new musical is one of the most rewarding and complex endeavors one can undertake in the arts; but the children of Newtown inspired New Arts: Newtown Musicals to take on this world premiere production. A ROCKIN' Midsummer Night's Dream was composed specifically for these young performers and three Broadway performers, Marla Mindelle (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Sister Act), Clarke Thorell (Hairspray, 2012 Annie revival), and Saum Eskandani (Disaster!, A Year With Frog and Toad).

This show was double-cast to give more young people an opportunity to get involved. Newtown, CT is home to enough talent to make not only one original cast recording, but two (as a two-disc set) - proof of how vibrant the arts can and should be in our communities. The two-disc set features both Newtown casts, the Stars Cast and the Moon Cast. The CD packaging contains 40 pages of stunning photos and a separate lyric booklet with complete synopsis and introductory essays.

BroadwayWorld will be bringing you exclusive tracks all week to celebrate the upcoming release. Below, check out Day 5: 'Merry Wanderer' as performed by the Stars Cast's Jane Shearin and then by the Moon Cast's Nicole Kolitsas.




Videos