SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD Comes to Sydney's Hayes Theatre, Aug. 12; Full Cast Announced!

Blue Saint Productions are thrilled to tour their critically acclaimed production of Songs for a New World to Sydney's Hayes Theatre from August 12th 2016.

The show is directed by Helpmann and Green Room award winner, Luke Joslin (Avenue Q, LES MISERABLES) and will be musically directed by Lucy Bermingham (Sydney Theatre Award for Best Musical Direction in "Violet"). The "evocative" design is put together by Jacob Batista (Avenue Q, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown)

Teagan Wouters, as Woman 1, has recently finished her role as Tzeitel in Fiddler On The Roof starring Anthony Warlow. Before that she performed the role of Lisa Houseman in the Australian Tour of Dirty Dancing and Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family Musical. Later this year she takes on the role of Nicole in the Australian premiere of Kinky Boots. She is the only returning cast member from our Melbourne season of Songs For A New World, where she was described as "simply divine" and the "perfect fit for this role"

We are saddened to have to say goodbye to Natalie, John and Linden, but we are excited to announce the newest additions to the Sydney team!

Sophie Carter, as Woman 2, has recently been touring as the role of Bev in the Australian premiere production of Georgy Girl, Previous to this she has appeared in the world premiere of King Kong(Cassandra alternate), Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Diva - for which she received a Green Room Award), Grease - The Arena Spectacular (Jan), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Xanadu, Milk and Honey, Motherhood the Musical, High Society and Urinetown: The Musical for Sydney Theatre Company, playing both the roles of Soupy Sue and Little Sally.

Christopher Scalzo, as Man 1, Sydney audiences know Chris best from his recent portrayal of Angel in The Hayes Theatre's smash-hit production of Rent. Rent played two critically acclaimed, sell-out seasons in 2015/16. Before that he was part of the company of Wicked, where he toured throughout Australia and five other countries. Other credits include Doctor Zhivago, The Pirates of Penzance, and Jekyl and Hyde

Cameron MacDonald, as Man 2, has recently performed the title role of Charlie Brown in the Alex Theatre's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He received a Green Room Nomination in 2014 for his portrayal of both Britt Craig/Gov.Slaton in The Collective's Parade. He starred in the original Australian production of Altar Boyz! As well as Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, Miss Saigon, Guys and Dolls, Godspell, Sondheim's Passion, Georgy Girl and the original cast recording of Anthony Costanzo's Life's a Circus.

Songs For A New World is about one moment. It's about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, or take a stand, or turn around and go back. These are the stories and characters of today. The first musical from Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges Of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices we make.

Brown transports his audience from the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship to a ledge 57 stories above Fifth Avenue to meet a startling array of characters ranging from a young man who has determined that basketball is his ticket out of the ghetto to a woman whose dream of marrying rich nabs her the man of her dreams and a soulless marriage.

With a small, powerhouse cast and a driving, exquisitely crafted score running the gamut of today's popular music, Songs For A New World is a great way to bring the next generation into the theatre.

"When we were thinking about directors for this show, we wanted someone who could recreate this beautiful song-cycle as imagery plays an integral role in the story telling of this piece. Luke Joslin has created a beautiful concept that pays homage to the original intent of the composer and a design for it to live and breathe in, focussing on the themes which make this production as timeless as it is."

Blue Saint Producers, Joshua Robson and Damien Bermingham

"What a thrill to be working alongside Blue Saint to bring one of the most challenging pieces of theatre to life. This is theatre that rises above the music theatre genre, as we know it. An abstract musical with enormous vocal demand, Songs For a New World is a sequence of mini vignettes that snap shot the crossroads of life. It explores the decisions we make to change life as know it. What leads us to make these decisions? What are the consequences of these decisions? These questions are explored through a sublime musical score by Jason Robert Brown. It's music that will stay with you for a long, long time."

Director, Luke Joslin

SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD

HAYES THEATRE CO

Dates: 12th of August - 28th of August

Previews: Friday 12th 7:30pm, Saturday 13th 2pm & Sunday 14th 2pm

Media Opening: Saturday 13th August

Gala Opening: Sunday 14th August

Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 8pm Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 1pm and 6pm

Tickets*: Adult $59 Concession $54 Group $49 (for 8+) Previews: $49

Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au or (02) 8065 7337

*not including booking fees

Running time 1 Hour 40 Minutes (inc. interval)