Edwards & Delancy Star in Songs for a New World in Dec.

Samsara Theatre Company will present Jason Robert Brown's acclaimed song cycle Songs for a New World at Theatre at St. Luke's on December 4 and 11, 2006.

The cast will include: Tracy Jai Edwards (Amber Von Tussle in Broadway's Hairspray, Off-Broadway's The Great American Trailer Park Musical, and the upcoming Legally Blonde), and Rick Delancy (standby for Ben Vereen in Broadway's Fosse, national tour of Chicago, and Dreamgirls in Atlanta with Jennifer Holliday). 

Songs for a New World, meant to showcase the talents of the Samsara resident ensemble, will also feature Hector Corris (Fresh Fruit Festival, Best Male Performance in a Musical), Jason Kane, Holli Leggett, Eric Martin, Julie Reyburn (MAC Award, Backstage Bistro Award), Shelby Rose, Andrea Rutherford, Stephanie Schrader, Alicia St. Louis, and Stephanie Streisand.  

"It was a different world in October 1995, when Songs for a New World was first performed in New York. Bill Clinton was in charge, OJ Simpson was trying on gloves, and Timothy McVeigh was the only terrorist we knew anything about. At the time, Jason Robert Brown explained the meaning of his show: 'It's about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, or take a stand, or turn around and go back,'" as press notes describe.

Jason Kane, Artistic Director of Samsara Theatre Company said: "With songs like 'The Flagmaker 1775', which is about the uncertainty of living in a country at war, Songs for a New World explores timeless human struggles.  From the woman lamenting her youthful priorities in 'Stars and the Moon,' to the man who can't make ends meet in 'The River Won't Flow,' everyone can relate to some part of the show."

Samsara Theatre Company was founded by Executive Director Linnea Peery and Artistic Director Jason Kane. This staging is intended as a fundraiser for the development of the company's future productions. Songs for a New World is produced by Samsara Theatre Company, in association with Nate Gardner.

The Theater at St. Luke's is located at 308 W. 46th Street.  Tickets are $40 ($20 of which is a tax-deductible donation).  Tickets are available at Theatermania: visiit www.theatermania.com, or oall (212) 352-3101.  They go on sale Friday, Nov. 17.