Directed by Megan McQueen
Choreographer ~ Candace Craig-Hardie
Set and Lighting Design ~ Peter Herman
Costume Coordinator ~ Deborah Christiansen
Stage Manager ~ Cindy Pitts
Producer ~ Ceil Herman
Woman 1 ..................................................................... Carrie Oliver
Woman 2 ............................................................... Megan McQueen
Man 1 ........................................................................ Isaac Quiroga
Man 2 ………………………………………........…………………. Chris Rippel
The Band
Piano …………………………………….......….……………… Robert Randall
Keyboards …… Trae Blanco (Fri/ Sat), Mary-Lynn Brown (Thur/Sun)
Drums …………..……… Sarah Rede (Fri/ Sat), Derrick Lee (Thur/Sun)
Percussion …......…………………….………………..……. Daniella Briseno
Bass ………….......……………………………………………….…. Jesus Villa
The Dancers
Candace Craig-Hardie Alyx Sanchez Carlos Saucedo
The Production Staff
Light Operator ………………………………........………….…….. Cindy Pitts
Set Construction ……......…...... Ray Jones, Ken Eastlack, Peter Herman
Publicity ………………........………………………………………... Toni Marie
House Manager Coordinator …….........…………….…….….… Kathi-Jane
L to R: Carrie OLuiver (Woman 1), Megan McQueen (Woman 2), Isaac Quiroga (Man 1), Chris Rippel (Man 2)
Veteran Cast to take audience to a 'New World'
By Amanda L. Husson
Sun-News reporter
Every so often, the serendipitous combination of just the right show - a contemporary and relevant exploration of;, choices and their consequences - and just the right cast - a collection of talented and experienced performers - comes along to kick the local theater scene up a. notch.
It's something to look forward to tonight, when No Strings Theatre Company opens its latest production, "Songs For a New World," by Jason Robert Brown and directed by Megan McQueen. It's the first production in the area of the 1996 musical with a massive cult following.
A revue that's more theme than plot, "Songs For a New World" places four actors in different characters and situations, with music styles ranging from light spirituals to funk and rock.
"The characters are being put into a difficult position and being forced to make a choice," McQueen said. "There's an overarching journey in which the characters find resolution."
She said the exploration of relationships in situations both mundane and extreme will resonate with audiences. "At first, I thought it was particularly relevant to me and others my age, post-college and making important choices about our futures," McQueen said. "But after spending more time with it, I realized it feels relevant to any age group. That's just how life is."
Brown's music, with its complex harmonies and rich, beautiful melodies, is challenging for the cast and accompanying instrumentalists, McQueen said, but the group is up to the task. "It's kind of a remarkable assortment of people," she said of the cast, which, in addition to McQueen, includes Carrie Oliver, Chris Rippel and Isaac Quiroga, and the other musicians, lead by graduate student Robert Randall on piano. "We've all studied music extensively."
All the performers have impressive credentials. McQueen has held leading roles in regional productions of "Man of La Mancha," "Cabaret" and "The King and I," among others, as well as in Pennsylvania and has quite a few directing credits under her belt, including "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Oliver, who also serves as music director for "Songs For a New World," holds a master's degree in musical theater performance and has been featured in numerous regional productions and a national tour.
Rippel, a graduate of University of New Mexico's theater arts program, has appeared locally with NSTC, Las Cruces Com-munity Theater, Dona Ana Lyric Opera and lo-fi productions.
Quiroga, a New Mexico State University graduate, is attending graduate school at New York University, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member. Quiroga said returning to Las Cruces for this theater experience was a no-brainer. "This show has always been a dream of mine to do," he said. "I would jump on a plane any time to do a show like this. The people that I'm working with are consummate professionals."
McQueen said the dancing added by choreographer Can-dace Craig-Hardie and dancers Alyx Sanchez and Carlos Sauce-do really enhances the presentation. "There are several songs that call for movement," McQueen said. "The choreography is really dramatic and appropriate to the music. I can't imagine it being done without dance."
"Songs For a New World" opens today and runs through June 11 at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall. For information on the show, visit www.no-strings.org.
Amanda L. Husson can he reached at ahusson@lcsun-news.com
Issac Quiroga with L to R: dancers Candace Craig-Hardie, Carlos Saucedo and Alyx Sanchez
'Songs for a New World' tells a story of hope
By Joel Courtney .
The Las Cruces Bulletin
No Strings Theatre Company's lastest presentation is the musical menagerie, "Songs for a New World" by Jason Robert Brown.