A NEW BRAIN

A NEW BRAIN
April 8 - 23, 2011
THEATER: Actors Cabaret Annex
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Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn & James Lapine
Directed & Vocal Direction by Mark VanBeever

Music Performed & Recorded by Don Kelley

Choreographed by Lezlie Powell

By the Tony-award winning authors of FALSETTOS and the composer of last season’s hit THE 25^TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, A NEW BRAIN is an energetic, sardonic, often comical musical about a composer during a medical emergency. Gordon collapses into his lunch and awakes in the hospital surrounded by his maritime-enthusiast lover, his mother, a co-worker, the doctor and the nurses. Reluctantly, he had been composing a song for a children's television show that features a frog - Mr. Bungee - and the specter of this large green character and the unfinished work haunts him throughout his medical ordeal. What was thought to be a tumor turns out to be something more operable and Gordon recovers, grateful for a chance to compose the songs he yearns to produce.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE:

The show is about Gordon Schwinn, a talented young songwriter, is irritated because he must write a song about Spring for a children's television entertainer who dresses as a frog.  He ends up in the hospital and learns that he needs a dangerous operation.  While in the hospital, Gordon contemplates his situation, his life, his relationships, and his music. His greatest fear is dying with his greatest songs still inside of him; and so from his hospital bed, and while in a coma, and all throughout his ordeal, he begins writing the songs. He also has several hallucinations that involve various people whom he has encountered, including a kind minister, a bizarre homeless lady, his doctor and nurses, and of course his family, his mother Mimi, and life-partner Roger.  Audiences are in for a treat. This show has everything from drama and romance, to laughter and happiness. Whether it be the tango number or a fun disco romp, the audiences are going to a lot of fun and learn a lot.

 Cast and Crew:

Mark Van Beever................................... Gordon Michael Schwinn

Cameron Walker....................................................................... Mr. Bungee

Michelle Sellers................................................................... Mimi Schwinn

Shannon Coltrane................................................................................. Rhoda

Trevor Eichhorn............................................................ Roger Delli-Bovi

Hannah Rudkin.......................................................................................... Nikki

Chelyce Chambers...................................................................................... Lisa

Sophie  Mitchell....................................................... Waitress/Nancy D.

Eric Blanchard................................................. Dr. Jafar Berensteiner

Travis Power............................................................................. The Minister

Stage Manager.............................................................. Monica Coombes

Light Board.......................................................................... Kathy Bowman

Sound Board............................................................................. Lezlie Powell

Stage Crew............................................................... Dante  Cecchini-Coe

A NEW BRAIN is presented by special arrangement with and all materials provided by Samuel French, Inc.