August 19-September 4, 2016
SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Though still quite young, composer Jason Robert Brown is behind a string of big musicals, including Parade, The Last Five Years and 13. This is your chance to see his first major work, Songs for a New World, which mixes pop, gospel, jazz and classical styles to capture the lives of its characters over the years -- from Columbus' first voyage in 1492 to the present day. Through exquisitely-crafted songs, the musical revue reflects the many changing visions of the American dream. Photos by Michael Brunk | NWlens.com
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
Rachel Brinn (Woman 2 - MOON) is overjoyed to be back at SSR for this incredibly beautiful show with such a ridiculously, intimidatingly, talented cast. Some of her favorite past roles include (but are not limited to) Scuttle in The Little Mermaid with Bainbridge Performing Arts, Mary in A Christmas Carol with SecondStory Rep, Tessa in The Gondoliers and Iolanthe in Iolanthe with the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Dragon in Shrek with the Heavier Than Air Family Theatre. A gigantic thank you to my family – I hope you know that I always heard your song and for that I am forever grateful.
Candace Larson (Woman 1 – MOON) Favorite credits include Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife and Little Red), Big River (Mary Jane), Lend Me a Tenor (Diana), and Parade (Lucille). Candace is a medical writer at Seattle Genetics, Inc. and teaches dance at Applause Studio. Candace sends her love and thanks to her husband, Andy, for his unending support.
Adam Minton (Man 2 - MOON) Recent Seattle credits: Kevin (The Hat) The Bitter Single Guy/Gay City Arts; Joe (9 to 5 The Musical) SMT; Baker (Winner - BroadwayWorld.com Seattle - Best Leading Actor in a Musical, Into the Woods) Twelfth Night Productions; Pseudolus (A Funny Thing...) SMT; Baker (Into the Woods) Aurora Theatre; Jon (tick, tick… BOOM!) SecondStory Rep; Don/Al (All in the Timing) STAGEright. Special thanks to Kevin for being his biggest fan.
Michael Krenning (Man 1 – MOON) is excited to be making his SecondStory Repertory debut! Recent credits: Melchior in Spring Awakening - Basement Theatrics, Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte - WWU Opera, Mickey McKee in Hello! My Baby - Village Theatre: Originals, Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can - Village Theatre: Summer Independent. Michael currently attends Western Washington University earning a BA in Business Marketing. Thanks to Chris as well as his supportive family.
Garrett Dill (Man 2 – STARS) “Find what you love and do it every day.” Recent credits include Parade! as Britt with Sound Theatre Company, Reefer Madness as Jack and Jesus Christ Superstar as Peter at SMT.
Britt Boyd (Woman 2 – STARS) is delighted to be a part of Songs for a New World! She frequently appears on SecondStory's mainstage, counting Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon) and Legally Blonde (Paulette) among her highlights. Other favorite local credits include The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Seattle Musical Theatre), Mrs. Armstrong in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Seattle Public Theatre) and Martha in The Secret Garden (Kitsap Forest Theater). She has performed locally with Village Theatre, ACT, Living Voices, Theater Schmeater and STAGEright. Cheers!
Matthew Lawrence (Man 1 – STARS) is very excited to be back with SecondStory Rep after playing Che in last season’s production of Evita. He has been seen as Annas and Vittorio Vidal in SMT's productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Sweet Charity. Other Seattle productions include 5th Avenue Theatre: Cinderella, The Music Man, and Hairspray in Concert. Village Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar and The Producers. Most recent, Into The Woods (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf/Lucinda) for Aurora Theatre Company as well as Choreographed Kiss of the Spider Woman for SSR. Other favorite credits include PCPA Theatrefest: Les Miserable, Bat Boy(title role) and Midsummer. Utah Festival Opera: Guys and Dolls, and Oregon Cabaret Theatre: What’s Goin on. Thanks to Lance for your love and support.
Domini LaRussa (Woman 1 - STARS) is thrilled to be working with SecondStory Repertory for the first time on such a unique show! Domini recently graduated with a degree in musical theater from the University of Northern Colorado and will be moving to New York in the fall. She has really enjoyed spending her summer working with this super cast and crew. Domini sends all her thanks and love to her amazing family for being the greatest support system she could ask for.
MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Adam Minton (Director) – Last season, Adam directed Alice in Wonderland and A Christmas Carol here at SecondStory Rep, and is thrilled to be back directing a dream show with such an amazing company. Other favorite directing credits: Into the Woods; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Schoolhouse Rock Live!; The Music Man; How to Succeed…; Around the World in 80 Days. BFA, Theatre, Shenandoah Conservatory. Thank you, Squolf, for this incredible opportunity.
Greg Smith (Music Director) is a Seattle based musician specialized in keyboard performance. Working primarily in musical theater, jazz, early music and classical, he has most recently worked as piano-conductor/music director for Cornish College’s “The Silver Fox,” Tacoma Artist Rep’s [title of show], TNP’s “Company,” and Seattle Opera’s Bad Habits Lobby Music (for Le Comte Ory). Smith is immensely excited to be MDing “Songs for a New World” as his first show with SSR.
Christina Masson (Stage Manager/Choreographer) is incredibly thankful for the work she gets to do in the Seattle theater community as a choreographer, stage manager & performer. She's excited to return to SSR after recently working on Evita (Ensemble) and A Christmas Carol (SM). She's also been involved with Seattle Musical Theatre, Leavenworth Summer Theatre, and Youth Theatre Northwest. Love and thanks to Dan & Cody for putting up with her theater obsession!
Laurie Roberts (Costume Designer) has been designing costumes for fifteen years, and is delighted to be back working again at SSR for the 27th time. She has also designed costumes for Bellevue Youth Theatre and Youth Theatre Northwest. Her work was last seen in last season's Barefoot In The Park. Thanks as always to the Squolf for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful team.
Jen Chenovick (Light Design) Jen's theatrical career began in 2002 when she was asked to assistant stage manage The Importance of Being Ernest right here at SSR. Following her passion for theater Jen moved to Hollywood in 2005 where she stage managed for The Blank Theatre including the oddly satisfying Lobster Alice starring Noah Wylie and Nicholas Brendon. While in California, she also worked with Syzygy Theatre Group and the World Premiere of Tender, Abi Morgan’s trenchant drama of the human hunger for connection. Jen moved back to Redmond in 2007 and jumped right back into her work with SSR. During her eighteen plus years at SSR Jen has worn many hats, from stage manager to production manager to managing director and now light design. Special thanks to my parents, they’re pretty cool.
Mark Chenovick (Set Design/Technical Director) has been designing, building, and painting sets since the mid-eighties. Having the fortune to begin his theatrical career under the tutelage of Don McLaughlin in his hometown of Helena Montana, Mark continued his training at the University of Washington where he was accepted into the Graduate Design Seminar his sophomore year. With subsequent degrees in Art History and Drama, Mark went on to serve as technical director/designer for multiple organizations including: Virginia Musical Theatre, Fort Peck Summer Theatre, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Little Theater of the Rockies, and the Norfolk Governor’s School for the Arts. As Technical Director/Production Manager of the national tour of Anything Goes (starring Gloria Loring) Mark travelled around the United States and Canada realizing that there is no place quite as wonderful as the Pacific Northwest. Shortly after the turn of the millennium, and following a brief stint as a carpenter at The Studio Theatre in Washington D.C., he moved back to Seattle. Locally he has worked behind the scenes for the Village Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, Redwood Theatre, and, of course, SecondStory Repertory.
Mark Chenovick (Sound Design) I began my sound design journey splicing reel-to-reel tape together in the basement of the original Penthouse Theater on the University of Washington campus but it was my brief time in the MFA program at Utah State University, where I learned the joys of digital sound design, and subsequently, became hooked on sound design for life. Having provided composed and curated underscoring and soundscaping, original and sourced sound effects, and performance amplification services for multiple theaters across the US, I have felt the most at home at SSR. Special thanks to Squolfie, ‘lil Squolf, and my extended family. You are the music of my life. #bandistoohot #sorrynotsorry
Mark Chenovick (Projection Design) has designed projections for over 100 shows in the last ten years. Prior to that he worked with CJS design, a website design and hosting company, developing custom websites for clients ranging from Draper Valley Farms to Seattle Film Group. He also co-created and ran the now defunct SeattleActor.com, a website focused on Seattle area theater, featuring audition listings, helpful articles, and show reviews. In addition to projections, Mark also designs all of the marketing materials you see at SSR including; posters, show graphics, and website. All my love to Jen. Enjoy the show!