Spotlight On Festivals Presents SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD Benefit Through August 22nd

Spotlight On Festivals (Frank Calo, Executive Producer) presents Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World, to benefit the Patrick Michael McMurphy Foundation (PM3 Foundation), which supports the arts through scholarships and grants. Performances of this limited engagement run will be held at the Beckett Theatre, Theatre Row (410 West 42nd St.), from August 20 through 22, 2009. Tickets: $18; purchase in advance at www.ticketcentral.com.

Songs for a New World, which debuted Off-Broadway in 1995, underscores the moments that determine whether someone is up for life's challenges - those instances that define a person indefinitely. Songs for a New World is often presented as a song cycle; this production, however, will highlight the Grecian tradition of storytelling that underscores the overarching themes of the piece.

Spotlight On Festival's benefit production of Songs for a New World, features executive producer Kim Kalish, who was Patrick Michael McMurphy's college sweetheart, in a lead role. For Ms. Kalish, Songs for a New World is a meaningful homage to Patrick, who fell to his death last summer while climbing to his Brooklyn apartment building's rooftop. "When Patrick passed away, I was devastated," she says. "This musical, in particular, speaks to those bleak times that determine who we are. It is a fitting tribute to Patrick's determination and the generosity of the foundation created in his memory."

All net proceeds benefit the Patrick Michael McMurphy Foundation.

Starring: Amy Decker (National Tour, The Will Rogers Follies), EJ Griffon (National Tour, Smokey Joe's Café), Jonathan Howard and Kim Kalish

Directed by Ryan Gibbs
Musical Director: Nick Williams
Set Design: Steph Tucci
Lighting Design: Ryan Metzler
Sound Design: Gerry Marletta
Stage Manager: Kathleen Munroe

Spotlight On Productions is a Production Company formed by Frank Calo in 1998. Since its inception Spotlight On has produced more than a dozen festivals, most recently co-producing the Planet Connections Festivity in the East Village. Each Festival boasts from 30 to 60 productions. Spotlight On also produces single events and productions throughout the year. Our primary goal is to help talented playwrights and directors find an audience to appreciate their talent. Working in New York can sometimes be a very difficult process and artists need not feel as if they are alone in the process. Theater should be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved. We also endeavor to bring back the fun to mounting a show. When a cast and crew loves what they are doing, and are having fun doing it, then there is a tremendous trickle down effect from the talent to the audience itself. It is time that we put the "experience" back in Theater Experience! For more information, visit www.spotlighton.org.

Songs for a New World is presented through special arrangement through Music Theatre International (MTI). For more information on the production, visit avecpromotions.wordpress.com.

Performance Schedule:
August 20- 8 p.m.
August 21- 8 p.m.
August 22- 2 p.m., 8 p.m.
Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row
410 West 42nd St., between 9th and 10th Avenues

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