I got invited to the TAMK's musical students' premiere of Song For a New World. It's been directed by a leading musical actor Petrus Kähkönen who now took the job of a director. He had a challenge of arranging a show that was originally performed by four people in a form of a concert now into a musical for 15 performers. He did well. Let's dig into the review:
When we go find seats we hear some regular elevator music that fits to the world of an office quite well and is also later used in the show. The lights go off and the show starts with dramatic lights and actions. The presence and willingness to perform glows all the way to the second row. The promotion picture of the show that has the evolution of a person from a baby to a office worker is redeemed at the very beginning when we visually see the different places from kindergarten to confirmation and graduation.
The movements in the first scene were enjoyable and organic though at the office there was a little too much zombie-walking and numbed emotions. I would have wanted to see - further in the ending - more contact amongst the actors, more thoughts...
In general of what I saw I would advice to focus more on the thoughts behind the story one's singing. If you really think what you're saying, whether it be a line or a song, it really shows on your face. And the actor's work is with their technique to accentuate that feeling and expression so it's seen to the back row too.
The ones I noticed succeeded well with this, thus my personal favorites were Mari Hirvi, Ulla Paajanen, Samuli Pajunen and Valtteri Gutev. I enjoyed their style and energy of doing.
Hirvi wore her heart on her sleeve and gave her everything though she would stand at the background. Gutev had a distinctive control of his face and playfullness to his doing. Paajanen had a clear diction and a personal voice, we could hear every word and her face told the story with small nuances. Pajunen's solo was astonishing and his passion and excitement to be on stage shone brightly.
In general the songs that were sung in a choir had the best dynamics. My favorite scenes were the "Mä höyryyn eteenpäin" and how the colorful lights of fantasy changed the mood of the office in the beginning and at the end they turned back normal just like everything else did. I also loved the one where the office workers got together to fight their oppression. Papers flew all around, giving cheering and random movement on stage, which I love: movements you can't control.
The show has nice details and use of imagination as the hall pass cards changed to crucifixes of hope or when the Christmas star turned into a dreadful saw. The bullying or obsession of the Santa Claus had me wheezing and was also well structured so that there wasn't a dull moment but smart usage of the stage.
What it comes to "Askel vaan" where one worker stood by the window, would it had been more interesting if she'd stood up at the actual window where the bosses stood before? I understand there may have been some technical blocks to make it work but if not that would have worked better. It would have also given freshness and depth to the stage as we would have seen workers there too. And naturally though it would have been the boss' place in our heads it would have turned into a real window rather than a platform. What if everyone whistled a little like the wind before the solo?
All in all Song For a New World had very imaginative and conventional story line thay served the students to work as a team, which is the best way to build any production. Though I sensed some nervousness at times, I want to encourage everyone: even the professionals have bad days and the World's situation is gloomy to say the least. Nevertheless to really hit the limelights one needs eagerness and curiosity to their craft, which also grows and evolves after every show you do. Believe in yourselves, we want to see it too!
Text: Rosanna Liuski
ESIINTYJÄT:
Riikka Riikonen, Heidi Simelius, Ulla Paajanen, Kreetta Sihvola, Hely Nylund, Mari Hirvi, Samuli Pajunen, Mikko Laine, Nicolas Frimodig, Kalle Tarikka, Julius Suomine, Valtteri Gutev, Emilia Alasara, Reetta Kauremaa, Claudia Leinonen
BÄNDI:
Esityskapellimestari/piano:
Aleksi Laukkonen
Rummut: Joonas Mäyrä
Basso: Maria Lamminen
Kitara: Jussi Uusitalo
Lyömäsoittimet: Kalevi Reentie
I viulu: Maria Turunen/Essi Rintala
II viulu: Meri Kettunen/Janita Oksanen
Alttoviulu: Aino Tiala/Viivi Kulmala
Sello: Emma Helinheimo/Aino Suikkanen
TEKIJÄTIIMI:
Sävellys ja laulujen sanat: Jason Robert Brown
Suomenkielinen käännös: Anna-Maija Ihander
Ohjaus: Petrus Kähkönen
Ohjaajan assistentti: Titta Toivanen
Vastaavat kapellimestarit: Eeva Kontu ja Joonas Mikkilä
Esityskapellimestari: Aleksi Laukkonen
Koreografi: Joel Alalantela / Tanssiteatteri MD
Koreografin assistentti: Hely Nylund
Video- ja valosuunnittelu: Jaakko Sirainen
Äänisuunnittelu: Tony Sikström
Puku- ja naamiointisuunnittelu: Pia Kähkönen
Taiteellisen suunnittelun tuotanto: MD Company Oy Ltd
TAMK Musiikki tuotanto, Maria Piirainen, Elina Orjatsalo
TAMK Musiikki tiedotus, Susanna Ihanus
TAMK Musiikki, lipunmyynti, tuotantoharjoittelija Johanna
SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Originally Produced by The WPA Theatre, New York City, 1995 (Kyle Renick, Artistic Director). Original Orchestration by Brian Besterman and Jason Robert Ahonen
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