Return Season for Songs For A New World
After a 2023 season that garnered multiple Green Room Award nominations for Best Direction, Best Musical Direction, Best Choreography, Best Lighting (winner), Best Set and Costumes, and Best Ensemble, Soundworks Productions’ Songs For A New World returns to Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel from August 5 to 10, 2025
Taking Jason Robert Brown’s song cycle to a new level, Soundworks Productions expands the cast of the piece, originally written for four voices, to a rich tapestry of 14. Brought to the stage by a team of diverse performers and creatives, the company promises that this latest season will offer audiences an unforgettable musical theatre experience.
Featuring a live band on stage (led by Conductor Mark Bradley), this return season of Songs For A New World promises a journey of hope, love, loss, and the transformative power of choices.
“The message of this work is highly relevant and critical for the current climate,” explains Musical co-Director and Producer Benjamin Samuel.
“In a world that’s being ravaged by conflict and despair, the songs in the show invite the audience to consider the hope amidst the storms. The works offers a reflection on the human condition, our pursuit of salvation, and the hope that drives us toward tomorrow.
“Adding to this, the staging of Songs For A New World is a feast for the senses. Audiences can immerse themselves in the rich textures of the score and orchestration, and experience a wall of harmony as 14 performers sing legendary music theatre tracks originally written for four. At the heart of it - it’s about having a superb night out at the theatre.”
From the first note to the last, Songs For A New World is an invitation to embark on an exploration of hope, love, loss, and the transformative power of choices.
Soundworks Productions is a community of musicians, actors, and theatre makers. The company works to connect creatives and artists at all stages of their careers to develop their craft, discover innovative practices, collaborate, and create together. As an independent theatre company they champion innovative and challenging presentations of musical theatre works, drawing on a talent pool of both emerging and established artists to present engaging and stimulating theatre.
Best Lighting (Green Room Award Winner)
Best Direction (Green Room Award Nominee)
Best Musical Direction (Green Room Award Nominee)
Best Ensemble (Green Room Award Nominee)
Best Choreography (Green Room Award Nominee)
Best Set and Costumes (Green Room Award Nominee)
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Directed by Lauren McKenna
Musical Direction by Benjamin Samuel and Mark Bradley
Choreographed by Benjamin Curé
Performed by Isabella Gangi, Kelse Halge, Anna Francesca Armenia, Ken Paolo Gilua, Ethan Cooper, Dan Ham, Ben Goldsbrough, Maddi Xuereb, Alessandra Merlo, Benoit Vari, Campbell Bonello, Mollie Williams, Tayla Muir, Teo Vergara, Zac Parkes, Jackson Britza (Swing) and Katie McMillan (Swing)
Musicians: Mark Bradley, Mitch Thomas, Lester Berryman, Vanessa Chen and others
Set Design by Harry Gill
Lighting Design by Sidney Younger
Sound Design by Thanu Moulton
Stage Manager: Dylan McBurnley
5 – 10 August 2025
Tues – Thurs 7pm, Fri and Sat 7:30pm, Sat and Sun 2pm
Preview Tuesday 5 August 7pm
Opening Night Wednesday 6 August 7pm
Tickets: $69 Full, $60 Grps 6+, $59 Concession and Presale (from 5 June), $50 Preview
Bookings: Online via www.anewworld.com.au (this event has assigned seating)
Venue: Chapel off Chapel (The Chapel) – 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Duration: 2 hours including a 20-minute interval
Age Suitability: 15+
Warnings: Haze, smoke effects, strobe lighting, loud noises, adult themes