NightBlue Performing Arts Company to Stage SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, 3/1-30

NightBlue Performing Arts Company (RENT, AVENUE Q, Monty Python's SPAMALOT!) is excited to announce it's upcoming production of Jason Robert Brown's "Songs for a New World"

At age twenty-five, songwriter Jason Robert Brown pulled together sixteen of the songs he had written for various projects (shows, cabaret, concerts) and director Daisy Prince found a common theme to make a show of the pieces. The theme is the moment of decision, the point at which you transition from the old to the new. The change may be geographical, emotional, professional or marital but things are different than they were before. The result is neither musical play nor revue, it is closer to a theatrical song cycle, a very theatrical song cycle.

Brown writes intensely personal, highly dramatic songs. They range from country-ish story songs to gospel tinged wails and from pop colored romps to solo pieces of either concentrated personal revelation or slightly off beat comedy. Each song is musically distinctive and dramatically effective.

Previews: Saturday March 1 at 7:30 PM and Sunday March 2 at 7:30 PM. PRESS EVENING: THURSDAY MARCH 6, 2014 at 8:00 PM. Performances: March 7-March 30; Thursday-Saturday @ 8:00 PM; Saturday @4:00 PM; and Sunday @3:00 PM. Tickets: $25.00-$35.00. For tickets, contact Stage773 at www.stage773.com OR 773.327.5252.

Curtis Bannister (Man 1)- In his Chicago musical theater debut with NightBlue PAC, Curtis proves to be a versatile artist with credits in both the musical theater and operatic repertoire. Musical theater credits: Pirelli- SWEENEY TODD (Off-Broadway- OFY Productions), Coalhouse Walker Jr.- RAGTIME (Maryland Arts Festival), John- MISS SAIGON (Merry Go Round Playhouse), Andre- AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (The National Players). Opera credits include performances with Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Metropolitan Opera- National Council, Lyric Opera Baltimore, Musiques de Chambre- Musee du Louvre, Utah Festival Opera Company, and Sarasota Opera. Future engagements: Enjolras- LES MISERABLES (Utah Festival Opera Company), Soloist/Uriel- THE CREATION (Waukesha Choral Union).

Nathan Gardner (Man 2) -Nathan is thrilled to be performing with NightBlue for the first time in Songs for a New World. Past Chicago credits include Sweet Smell of Success (Dallas, Kokandy Productions), Triumph of Love (Agis, Music Theatre Co.), and work with Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago Children's Theater, Theo Ubique, and The Cabaret Project. Off-Broadway: Ordinary Days (Jason, The York Theatre Co.); ten months with Disney Cruise Line. Nathan is a proud graduate of Penn State's musical theatre program. Upcoming work includes Les Mis (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Assassins (Kokandy), and Women on the Verge... (Theater at the Center). Thanks to Mom, Wendy, Camaq, and Chris.

Mary Margaret Roberts (Woman 1)-Mary-Margaret is ecstatic to be making her NightBlue debut! She is going on her second year in Chicago after receiving her Masters in Acting from Western Illinois University. Some of her favorite roles in the city include Dee Dee in Why Do Fools Fall in Love (Fox Valley Repertory) and Sui in The Three Little Pigs (Emerald City Theatre). In April-May, you can see her onstage in Hey Dancing! Hey Musical! with the Factory Theatre. She would like to thank her amazing family and friends for without them she wouldn't be pursuing her dreams! www.marymargaretroberts.com

Kyrie Anderson (Woman 2)- Kyrie has most recently performed as Jo March in Little Women and Princess Leonide in Triumph of Love with the Memorial Opera House, Brooklyn in Brooklyn with the Towle Theatre, and Donna in Under a Rainbow Flag with Pride Film and Plays. She thanks her family and friends for their unconditional love and support in her love for the stage.