FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT
JUNE 3 – 9, 2021 | PAGE 3
Mason’s ‘Songs for a New World’ Takes the Stage After Year-Long Delay BY MARK DREISONSTOK
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
“Songs for a New World” was recently performed at George Mason High School in Falls Church in an impressive onenight-only virtual performance on May 27. Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, the show displays the changes between European musical forms and those of the New World, such as jazz and gospel. The show, which consists mainly of short musical vignettes, straddles an unusual position between American musical theater and the European Song Cycle. The latter is often associated with German verses of the Romantic Age by poets such as Heinrich Heine set to music by composers such as Robert Schumann in such works as “Love of a Poet” and the eponymous “Song Cycle.” Shawn Northrip, the show’s director and Mason’s theater & film teacher, explained the choice to perform this work.
“The pandemic had everything to do with our choice: We wanted to do a show that we could give justice to presenting, even if the students all had to stand at microphones 10 feet apart for the whole show, which they do; and we wanted something that was uplifting,” Northrip said. “This show fits the bill perfectly. It’s a song cycle, mostly solos and ensembles of four, around the theme of new beginnings.” Vignettes include Emily Ives presenting a “Christmas Lullaby” with a pleasing vocal. Initially seen by the audience as an otherworldly silhouette with a somber tone, a contrast is presented to the normally festive holiday season. Masks were also used throughout the performance, which acted to heighten the mystery of the performances. Pauline Bonner, too, shone in jazz riffs as an affluent but bored housewife, in which the character contemplates, in the song “Just One Step,” the ease
Continued on Page 14
THE STUDENT ENSEMBLE performs a song during George Mason High School’s “Songs for a New World.” (P����: C���� S��)
5-Unit OPEN HOUSE — Sun, June 6, 1:00–4:00
Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
The Renaissance — 2230 George C. Marshall Dr., Falls Church
Open Sunday 2-4pm
Visit all 5 for a chance to win a $50 Whole Foods gift card!
1305 Seaton Circle, Falls Church City
Welcome home to this beautiful Colonial, perfectly situated on a quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of FCC! Over 3,000 sq ft featuring 5 beds/3baths on 3 finished levels with an attached1 car garage Wood-burning fireplace, crown moldings & gleaming hardwoods. Remodeled kitchen and baths and new office added to provide work at home space! Lovely oversized lot and deck provide a peaceful retreat with mature plantings, a gardener’s delight! Highly-ranked, exceptional school system! Offered at $1,150,000
Unit 1228: 2BR/2BA, 2-balcony end unit; Top floor; Open Kitchen to LR. $417,500!
Unit 708: 2BR/2BA +Office/Den; Largest floor plan; Gutted, re-configured. $437,500!
Photo of similar unit Unit 508: 2BR/2BA + Den opened to LR; Largest floor plan; Wood floors thru-out. $435,000!
Unit 104: 2BR/2BA; 10-ft ceilings; Oversized windows; New BR carpet; Upgrades. $373,000!
Zillow Review Highly Likely to Recommend Louise is an excellent, very professional realtor. Our situation was somewhat complicated since as owners we are out of state, and the home was occupied by renters. She worked with us and the renters to make sure the home was ready to show and to schedule the showings. Louise handled all the details in selling the home through closing, plus made sure the transition from renters to new owners was smooth. We did not have to return throughout the process. We give Louise our highest recommendation.
~ S. Lightbourne
• • • • •
Renaissance Amenities 24/7 Security • Front desk staffed 24/7 Shuttle 2 metro • Gated, monitored Yr-rd pool & tennis • Lush landscaping 24/7 Fitness Center • Walking trail on site 21+ Wooded acres
Tracy Lavender Cell: 571-426-9225 TracyLavender4@gmail.com www.TracyLavender.com
Louise Molton Broker/Owner Phone: 703 244-1992 louise@moltonrealestate.com
Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
Unit 1225: 1BR/1BA; Top floor; 9-ft ceilings; Complete luxury remodeling; Fireplace; Jacuzzi in BA. $298,500!
710 W Broad St Falls Church, VA 22046 703-596-5303
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
®
REALTOR
