Interview: Tamara Marla Laflin of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD at Southgate Community Players says the Songs Will Hit Audiences with a Wide Range of Emotions!

The Southgate Community Players are opening their 2018-2019 season with Jason Robert Brown's song cycle show, Songs for a New World, this weekend. Performed by two men and two women, the characters and their stories are tied together by the idea that one moment can change anyone's life. This small but talented ensemble combined with the touching repertoire and intimate venue promise for an evening that will take to a "new world" of emotions you won't want to miss!

BroadwayWorld Detroit had a quick moment to speak with Tamara Marla Laflin, one of the four performers in the small ensemble cast about how this is different type of show and why Detroit theatre audiences are going to enjoy it.

BroadwayWorld Detroit: Can you give our readers a brief background about yourself and your theatre career as an introduction?
Tamara Marla Laflin: I am playing Woman 2 in Southgate Community Players production of Songs for a New World. I am very active in local theatre. When I am not performing in productions, you can find me behind the scenes - directing, vocal directing, or choreographing. Some of my most recent roles include Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, Diana in A Chorus Line, and Martha in Spring Awakening.

BWW Detroit: How would you describe Songs for a New World in your own words?Tamara Marla Laflin: Songs for a New World is a song cycle by Jason Robert Brown where the performers get to explore various characters and circumstances. It contains some of Brown's most beautiful compositions. The songs hit listeners with a wide range of emotions.

BWW Detroit: How would you describe your role of Woman 2 in the show?
Tamara Marla Laflin: My role is ever-changing. I get to explore women from different eras, different walks of life, and different circumstances. As a performer it has been a rollercoaster ride exploring all of the different songs and learning a little about who these people are through the stories they tell.

BWW Detroit: What makes Southgate Community Players production of Songs for a New World special?
Tamara Marla Laflin: The four performers in this production also directed, vocal directed, and choreographed the show. I think that makes this production special because it let us as performers develop and extend our characters in our own way. It was a very organic process that let us explore and work together.

BWW Detroit: With this being a four-piece song cycle style show, what was the rehearsal process like?
Tamara Marla Laflin: We spent a lot of time in and out of rehearsals practicing harmonies for this production. When you have a four person show with an abundance of four-part harmonies, you really have to know your material. The harmonies are beautiful, but intricate and difficult, so it was no easy task, yet it was a very rewarding task as well.

BWW Detroit: Do you have a favorite moment or favorite song in the show?
Tamara Marla Laflin: There are so many "wow" moments in this show that it's hard to pick one. I think my favorite aspect of the show as a whole though is that you'll find lots of things that will touch you emotionally that you might not expect.

BWW Detroit: Why do you think audiences will enjoy the production?
Tamara Marla Laflin: This production isn't linear and it doesn't follow a typical plot line. There are so many stories being told throughout the show that there isn't a dull moment.

BWW Detroit: Why do you think people should come see Songs from a New World?Tamara Marla Laflin: Songs for a New World is a fundraiser for Southgate Community Players. This isn't just a great show, but it's a great way to support local theatre.

Connect with Tamara Marla Laflin on Twitter at @TamiKablami and Instagram at @TamiKablami.

Southgate Community Players 2018-2019 Season will includeSongs for a New World, Disney's The Lion King Jr., Jesus Christ Superstar, Play On!, Barnum, and others that will announced soon.

Songs for a New World opens August 10th and runs for one weekend only: August 10th at 7pm, 11th at 7pm, and 12th at 3pm. This production will be held at the SCP's Corner Playhouse, 12671 Dix-Toledo Rd., Southgate, MI, 48195. Parking is free; small lot and street parking. All tickets are $15 with the production being a fundraiser for Southgate Community Players.

Tickets can be purchased online: https://www.showtix4u.com/boxoffice.php?submit=Search+for+Events&begin=1542968¤t_client=02271318070915785.

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