Cal Lutheran to present free musical
'Songs for a New World' examines life in transition
The cast includes Mollie Winninger of Escondido, Malissa Marlow of Thousand Oaks and Kayla Sawoski of Camarillo.
Photo: Amber Rocha/The Echo(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Nov. 4, 2014) California Lutheran University is presenting a free musical theater production on Nov. 18 and 19.
The university’s new Musical Theatre Ensemble will present “Songs for a New World” by Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown at 8 p.m. Nov. 18 and 7 p.m. Nov. 19 in Samuelson Chapel on the Thousand Oaks campus.
“Songs for A New World” is an ensemble production featuring a range of popular music styles. The highly theatrical song cycle transports the audience from the deck of a Spanish sailing ship in 1492 to a basketball court in urban America to a ledge featuring an array of fascinating characters 57 stories above Fifth Avenue. It explores the universality of life in transition, including the choices people make and the challenges they face.
Brown wrote the compilation of songs when he was first starting out in New York City and it was originally produced in 1995. He just won Tony Awards for the score and orchestrations of “The Bridges of Madison County.”
Heidi Valencia Vas, an adjunct music faculty member, is directing “Songs for a New World.” A master teacher and recording artist, Vas has numerous opera, recital and oratorio credits, and has been featured in summer stock and regional and off-Broadway theatrical productions. The Thousand Oaks resident has been a soloist with The Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra and made guest appearances with many groups including the Masterworks Chorale.
The chapel is located at 165 Chapel Lane. For more information, call 805-493-3415.