I really enjoy going to the Coronado Playhouse. The theater is local, the companies are local, and the productions are well done. Not only do you get to sit, relax, have a snack or a glass of wine (or beer if so inclined), you get to witness the talents of many local artists. It varies from theater productions to musical productions. Friday evening’s performance was “Songs for a New Year” of music by Jason Robert Brown.
For those of you unfamiliar with the name, you would most likely recognize some of his music. He has composed music and written the lyrics for musicals such as “The Last Five years,” his Broadway hit “Parade,” “Bridges of Madison County,” and the “Urban Cowboy.” He won a Tony for his score from “Bridges of Madison County”, and his musical “Parade” became a Broadway hit. This is a man with many hats. He is a composer, lyricist, conductor, arranger, director, and performer.
Coronado Playhouse is host to The Prosecco Players production company as they present “Songs for a New Year.” The stage lights come on, Jordan Liberman the accompanist sits down and begins to play.
One by one this quaint cast of five singers comes on stage. Throughout the evening singers Weston Bennett, Natalie Morgan Clegg, Megan Maher, Austin McKinley, and Kelsey Young take you on journey through some of Jason Robert Brown’s famous works. What I enjoyed most is that these five voices sound so amazing together, but their voices and range are individually unique. The first part of the show opens with “The New World: Songs for the New World.” Then next five songs are from the “Last Five Years,” a musical about a husband and wife. The husband is becoming a famous writer and the wife is slowly watching her own dreams die. This conflict results in separation and ultimately divorce. The emotions that the singers show during these songs will make you laugh, almost cry, and empathetic to the characters. Once you have gotten the lump out of your throat, Kelsey Young comes on stage and sings a hysterical (and I will tell you it is not an appropriate song for the little ones) from “Urban Cowboy.” Set one finishes off with two more songs from “Songs for a New World.” At intermission you get to enjoy the company of those seated at the table with you, grab another snack, drink or both, and on to the second part of the show. “Any Minute” was sung by Weston Bennett and Megan Maher. If you can picture a first date of two 13 years olds at a horror movie, trying to figure out if they like each other without talking, and if they were going to kiss or not, it leads to a lot of laughing! The facial expressions of those in the cast during this song were fantastic. Natalie Morgan Clegg then performed “Someone to Fall Back on; Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes,” a song about being there for someone, even when you aren’t perfect, you are for them. She has a beautiful voice and I got a sense that she really loved singing this particular song. “All the Wasted Time: Parade,” sung by Weston Bennet, was so funny. He plays an intoxicated man upset that the news from his home town is less than exciting. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard.”One Second and a Million Miles Away; Bridges of Madison County” was a duet performed by Austin McKinley and Natalie Moran Clegg. These two voices are so beautiful together. This duet is about and man and a woman who are in love. One is with a husband and children, the other single. With a desire to see the world and live a different life, these two sing about the choice they have to make. To stay together and ruin a family or does she stay with her family. Such a moving piece. “Just one Step: Songs for a New World” was sung by Megan Maher. In a wonderful Jersey accent, this song is about an inattentive wealthy husband and a wife who has had enough. She sings about taking a fateful leap off her balcony of her penthouse. While a heavy subject, the lyrics are funny as well as Maher’s ability to nail that character; you laugh at her take on the situation and how she wants her husband to know what she is about to do, but of course he isn’t listening. There are a few more songs that I did not list, but they are all wonderful, these were just a few that really brought you in emotionally.
I really enjoyed this show and the atmosphere. I highly recommend it for a group of friends, or even a date night. I would, however, caution bringing younger children for some content and language; but that really is minimal.
