Songs for a New World Presented by Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA

Theater: Act II Playhouse
Show: Songs for a New World
Opens: May 6, 2008
Seen: May 6, 2008
Submitted: May 8, 2008
Reviewer: Amy Lewis

It seems so fitting that Songs for a New World would be the show playing at Act II Playhouse just as the seasons are beginning to change. As the Philadelphia area emerges from the chill of winter and prepares to embrace the warmth and beauty of spring and summer, Songs for a New World reminds the viewer that, like the seasons, life is about renewal and rebirth. Act II Playhouse, as always, is a breath of lovely spring air.

Songs is a collection of music by Jason Robert Brown, the talented composer of Parade, that takes a journey through the highs and lows life presents its travelers along the way. The tale is told by four singers, named simply Man 1, Man 2, Woman 1 and Woman 2, yet somehow one is able to relate to all of them. This is partially a result of Brown’s touching lyrics and gorgeous melodies, but there is a large onus placed upon the performers who assume the aforementioned roles to bring Brown’s work to life.

Act II’s talented cast not only succeeds at handling this challenge, they seem blissfully unaware that there was ever a challenge to begin with. The stellar ensemble excels on number after number, lacing every note with laughter and tears in turns. It comes as no surprise, then, that each actor boasts an impressive resume of international, national and regional credits which prove that the Ambler theatre seeks la crème de la crème when casting its productions.

In case the ensemble’s outstanding collaborative effort on Songs’ opening number, “The New World” isn’t enough to convince the audience they are about to see some amazing talent, Arthur W Marks’ first solo will put their minds at ease. So will his second, third fourth and so on, because Marks sings like someone’s life depends on it. Every note he sings is infused with passion and energy, tapping right through to the emotional core of his numbers.

Jennie Eisenhower, as Woman 2, displays outrageous comic talent and heart wrenching pathos in spades on a wide range of songs. Her renditions of “Just One Step” and “Surabaya-Santa” are laugh-out-loud funny, yet she takes on the challenge of perhaps the most famous number in the show, “Stars and the Moon,” with heart. Coating the sensitivity of the piece with her gorgeous and versatile voice, Eisenhower manages to not only emerge from the shadows of famous Broadway divas like Audra MacDonald who have covered the song before her, she makes the piece well and truly her own.

Proving herself to be a performer of immense likeability, strength and vulnerability, Joanne Javien exudes electricity every minute she is on stage. Challenging the world with her powerful belt on “I’m Not Afraid of Anything” one minute and inspiring with quiet hope on “Christmas Lullaby” the next, Javien displays remarkable versatility and depth. She is truly a delight to watch on stage and her numbers are amongst the highlights of the show.

Rounding out the stellar cast is Jonathan Hack, who demonstrates both the commanding presence of a leading man and the relatable appeal of a comic foil in equal measures. His powerhouse baritone resonates throughout the house, lending gravitas and conviction to his numbers. On “She Cries,” he elicits humor from his every movement, phrase and nuance, yet, on the same token, he is able to inject a moving beauty to “The World Was Dancing” that is nothing short of haunting.

The cast is ably directed by Peter Reynolds, who keeps the pace and energy of the show high at all times; there may be nineteen songs in this musical, but not one of them seems tedious or heavy handed. In fact, so well-paced is Act II’s production that it is difficult to believe that so much ground has been covered in so little time – the audience has been taken through the highs and lows of life before the thought has even occurred to them to look at their watches.

Songs for a New World at Act II Playhouse is as exciting and invigorating as the lovely spring weather that has accompanied its opening. One leaves feeling refreshed and renewed, excited by what they have just seen and hopeful about what lies before them. As always, Act II Playhouse has given theatergoers something to sing about.