We are excited to announce our second season at The Studio Theatre™ Tierra del Sol. We have selected four scripts that share a common theme of Commitment. These four stories examine the many forms commitment takes in our lives—be it romantic, artistic, career oriented, or a religious commitment. We will look deeply at the confines of commitment, as well as the freedom that real commitment can bring to you, to others, to religion, or a life goal. Often, when we ponder commitment we think of the sacrifices we must make to stay true to our choice, but perhaps the benefits of commitment can outweigh the sacrifices. This year at The Studio we ask you to wonder what will happen when you “Commit with Abandon: what will you gain by letting go?”
—Whitney Morse, Artistic Director
ABOUT THE STUDIO THEATRE™:
Tierra del Sol was formerly a Country Club with performances as a backdrop to the outstanding food and impeccable golf course views. It has since transitioned, bringing the performances to the forefront by evolving into a new Black Box Theatre. The Studio Theatre™ is now a flexible theatre with ninety-nine seats and options for Thrust, Round, or Proscenium style seating. The Studio Theatre at Tierra del Sol's season runs from November to April each year with four productions running approximately 100 total performances.
The Studio Theatre is an extension of The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center, located in The Spanish Springs Town Square®, in The Villages® community. The Sharon is primarily a touring house hosting a variety of artistic disciplines ranging from concerts and comedians to dance, musicals, and operas. The Sharon seats just over 1,000 guests in a multi-level theater offering state of the art audio, visual, and theatrical rigging systems to create an entertainment experience second to none.
The Studio Theatre is led by Producer Jason Goedken and Artistic Director Whitney Morse. Trevin Cooper serves as Resident Director, with Technical Director, Preston Speaker; Scenic Designer, Kenneth Constant; Lighting Designer, Weston Corey; Sound Designer, Eric Mielke; Production Manager, Danielle Paccione, and Gary Powell as Resident Music Director.
SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
Music and Lyrics by JASON ROBERT BROWN
Originally Produced by the WPA Theatre, New York City, 1995
Original Orchestration by Brian Besterman and Jason Robert Brown
Director Trevin Cooper
Produced by Jason Goedken
Scenic Designer
Kenneth Constant
Musical Director Gary Powell
Sound Designer
Eric Mielke
Production Manager
Danielle Paccione
Lighting Designer
Sarah NcNamee
Stage Manager
Abigale Bobb
Technical Director
Preston Speaker
House Manager
Grace Petty
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Tel.: (212) 541-4684 Fax: (212) 397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
Can you find the courage to take a leap of faith?
The Studio Theatre presents a limited engagement of Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World. Songs for a New World is the musical which catapulted Tony Award winning composer, Jason Robert Brown (author of The Studio season's spring musical, The Last Five Years) into international fame. Performed minimalistically by a cast of two men and two women on a bare stage, this remarkable song cycle examines the challenges, rewards, and knowledge we obtain and endure when pursuing our dreams in a new world of possibility.
CAST
ALLYSSA YOST (Women 1) Allyssa is thrilled to be making her debut at The Studio Theatre! A native of the Central Florida area, she has been performing around the state for years. She was last seen at The Winter Park Playhouse in their sold out run of Why Do Fools Fall In Love? Favorite roles include: The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, and Heather Duke in Heathers (Florida Premiere). She can be seen daily entertaining audiences at Walt Disney World in Finding Nemo: The Musical as well as singing and dancing with Celestina Warbeck and The Banshees at Universal Studios' Diagon Alley. BFA Musical Theatre from University of Central Florida. Much love to Mom & Dad for their continued support of my dreams. I love you both so much.
Opening Sequence: The New World
On The Deck Of A Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492
Just One Step
I'm Not Afraid Of Anything
The River Won't Flow
Transition I
Stars And The Moon
She Cries
The Steam Train
The World Was Dancing
Surabaya-Santa Christmas Lullaby
King Of The World
I'd Give It All For You
Transition II
The Flagmaker, 1775
Flying Home
Final Transition
Hear My Song
JOSH KIMBALL (Man 1) Josh Kimball is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale with his BFA in Musical Theatre. Josh has been working in theatre all his life, beginning at the age of 5 and performing in shows ever since. Recent works have been Playlist Singer on the Carnival Ecstasy and Triumph, Henry in Next to Normal (The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol), a live entertainment performer in The Rockin' Country Show and Spooky Shenani-gans (Cedar Point Theme Park), Mark in Rent (SIU), and Bob Wallace in White Christmas (SIU).
WHITNEY MORSE (Women 2) Here at The Studio Theatre
Whitney has played the roles of Diana in Next to Normal, Cathy in The Last Five Years, and Claire in Proof. Morse's Central Florida Theatre credits include The Science Play Festival's reading of Arcadia, The Secret Garden, and 1776 (Mad Cow Theatre.) Her recent Chicago credits include Next To Normal (Skokie Theatre), Other Desert Cities (Citadel Theatre), The Children's Hour (Pride Films and Plays), Spike Heels (Brown Paper Box), Down Range (Genesis Theatricals), Trafford Tanzi and I Carry Your Heart (Prologue Theatre Company), Accomplice (Jedlicka Performing Arts Center), The Turn of the Screw, Jeeves at Sea, Unnecessary Farce and The Merchant of Venice (First Folio Theater), and Little Women (Theatre-Hikes). New York credits: Hold Music (Culture Project,) and Love's Labour's Lost and Three Sister's (both directed by Andrei Serban.) Whitney is also the Artistic Director of both The Studio Theatre and The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. BA Psychology - Rollins College, MFA Acting - Columbia University School of the Arts.
www.whitneymorse.com
CAST
FERNANDO VARELA (Man 2) Fernando Varela’s musical journey began 20 years ago right here in The Villages® under the tutelage of Maestro Bill Doherty and since then he has become one of the most promising young tenors in the world. Career highlights include: America’s Got Talent (Finalist - Season 8), Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, The White House, Solo National and International Tours, Winner of David Foster’s Born to Sing Competition, International Album Release (Deutsche Grammophon/Universal), Debut PBS Special (March 2017) and performing alongside some of the world’s biggest superstars (Lionel Richie, David Foster, Josh Groban, Babyface, Neil Diamond). Fernando is thrilled to join the cast of Songs for a New World; returning to his roots of musical theatre while making his debut with The Studio Theatre™. Fernando would like to thank the great team at The Studio Theatre, his entire family, Susan, Jarron, Zeke, and the incredible support he’s received over the years from The Villages.
HEATHER ARD (Woman U/S) Throughout her career Heather has held many positions: singer, performer, stage manager, choreographer, and director. She has performed in over 35 professional productions throughout the country. Some favorite regional credits include Maria: The Sound of Music, Belle: Beauty and the Beast, and The Narrator: Joseph. Heather moved to The Villages from Orlando in 2014 with her husband, Paul, and their 3 beautiful children. Her involvement with The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center began with the opening team as Properties Manager and she has been a part of the family ever since. Though Heather's title has changed throughout her career, her goal has always remained the same: "To utilize her passion for entertainment to bring joy to others." Enjoy the show!
NICU BROUILLETTE (Man U/S) Nicu is excited to be returning to The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. He was last seen as Hal in Proof and also played the violin in both The Last 5 Years and Next to Normal. For the past four years Nicu has performed all across Florida in Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Miami. Companies include Jobsite Theater, Florida Studio Theatre, and Stages Productions Family Theatre. Some of his favorite roles are Aladdin in Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, Bruce / Karl in Old Enough to Know Better, and Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors. Nicu is a graduate of the University of South Florida. There he earned his bachelors in Music Studies with a focus in Vocal Performance. He hopes everyone enjoys the show!
DIRECTORS
TREVIN COOPER (Director) Trevin Cooper serves as the Director of Education for the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center and Resident Director for The Studio Theatre at Tierra del Sol where he most recently directed Proof, Private Lives and The Last 5 Years. Previous directing credits include: Lend Me a Tenor, The Miracle Worker, The 39 Steps, The American Plan, The Last Five Years, Art, Always…Patsy Cline, and 9/11: We Will Forget, voted one of the top 10 plays of the 2012 Orlando Fringe Festival. He holds an M.F.A from The University of Central Florida, an M.A. from The University of Oklahoma, and a B.A. from Rollins College.
GARY POWELL (Musical Director) Gary has been musically directing and staging shows for over 30 years in Texas, Chicago, New York City, and now Central Florida. Here at The Studio Theatre he has Music Directed Next to Normal and The Last Five Years. Select standouts of Gary's career include Sound of Music, Godspell, Brigadoon, South Pacific, and regionally Sweet Charity and Next to Normal at the Skokie Theatre. He has worked on several world premiere productions including: Tomorrow Morning and Scotch Verdict. While directing in Chicago, Gary was nominated for several Jeff Awards for the following productions: Jerry Springer-The Opera, Thrill Me, Adam's Family, Opus 1861, The Baker's Wife, Kiss of The Spider Woman, Evolution/Creation, and Cats among several others. Gary currently serves as the resident Music Director for both The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center and The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol.
MUSICIANS
Piano/Music Director ...................................................... Gary Powell
Drums .............................................................................. Jerry Bruno
Bass................................................................................ John Gaffney
Percussion ...................................................................... Michael Petix
