Local actors discover 'Songs for a New World'
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

SCOTT FRIEDMAN Julia Nutter, 19, of North Brunswick, leads the dance routine for "The River Won't Flow" at a rehearsal by the North Brunswick Young Adult Drama Group for their upcoming performances of "Songs for a New World."

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The township's Young Adult Drama Group will present "Songs for a New World" 8 p.m. July 24, 25 and 26 at the township high school.

The production, which was written by composer Jason Robert Brown, is supposed to only have four cast members. However, since the local theater troupe does not turn away anyone who auditions, the musical has been adapted to allow for more actors to be included.

"This has very difficult music and is nontraditional," said director Joel Chesler. "It is written for four people sitting on four stools. Here we have a full cast, a full stage, full lighting."

Since there is no written script but instead, 19 musical selections, there will be groups singing solos and practically the entire cast is labeled as the ensemble.

To keep the authenticity of the production, despite the 39 cast members, Chesler said the transcendence of the message about making choices in your life, even trivial ones, is what keeps the musical alive.

"We all make decisions and we all take chances, and that's what the show is all about," he said.

Musical director John Watson agreed, especially since he was a main voice in choosing this production this summer.

"[Jason Robert Brown] is a brilliant composer and pianist," the 27-year-old Lawrenceville resident said, "and I love what the songs say. You can do so much with the characters."

He adapted the original production by adding choruses, expanding full cast numbers and adding harmonies to the pieces in the show. He said "Songs for a New World" is a more modern type of musical, with song after song representing the characters. There is use of the piano, bass, drums, saxophone and trumpet.

"The appeal is, [Brown] says it like it is, to be blunt, with no sugar-coating but he does it in a creative way," Watson said. "[The production] challenges [the actors] in that the music is very difficult, and this is not an easy, traditional musical."

One member of the ensemble who is up for the challenge is Valerie Swercheck, 20, of North Brunswick, who will be appearing in her seventh show with the Young Adults. The biology and secondary education major at The College of New Jersey has spent the most time with the Young Adults out of everyone involved.

"I've gone from being the youngest kid in the cast - when I joined I was barely 13 - to now being the oldest one in the cast," Swercheck said. "It's fun, it's no stress. It's a great way to hang out with friends, to make new friends, and it's a great way to spend your summer."

James Bliziotis, 21, of North Brunswick, has also been with the Young Adults for a long time: this will be his fourth show, and he has been acting since high school. He said the "team" of onstage, backstage, directors and the rest of the cast and crew "all have to work together in synch," which he said is "cool to see."

However, that task is not easy. Bliziotis said that he works from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and then rehearses with the rest of the group from 7 to 10 p.m. every weeknight for about five weeks.

"It's rough, but I'm passionate about it," he said. "I'm dancing and moving, which is better than going to the gym, I'll tell you that much."

Lauren Everett, 21, of North Brunswick, is another veteran member. Beginning with "Once on This Island" a few years ago, she said she came back to the Young Adults after a brief hiatus because, "This composer is my favorite. I would've done any of his shows."

The Montclair State University theater major said that although people tend to think of local productions as "bad actors hamming it up on stage," the North Brunswick troupe instead "is really good. There is a lot of talent."

Because of this talent, she said that performing in front of the audience is "a thrill," something that you "really don't get anywhere else."

"There is something applause gives you. Maybe it's a vitamin for actors. We run on it. It's our nutrition," she said.

Everett said local theater provides great opportunities for this, and also for familiarity with the cast and directors, which is "nice, like coming home. It's comforting."

Someone who is not yet familiar with the Young Adult Drama Group is Kerilyn Acer, who joined for the first time this season. The 19-year-old Old Bridge native has been acting and singing since she was 10 and joined the local group because she wanted to do musical theater while home from college this summer.

"Everybody is extremely nice. They are very welcoming. It's a great cast and crew," she said.

Acer said "Songs of a New World" incorporates jazz, soul and pop music, which is great for her since she is studying classical music at Westminster Choir College at Rider University.

"I just love it, I can't get enough of the energy and the excitement," she said. "Being on stage in front of people … is why you work so hard."

In addition to the cast and crew, Elaine Martin-Amodio is the producer, Becky Cahill is the choreographer and Matt Montville is the stage manager.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at the school on Raider Road, and seating is available at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are sold at the door and cost $10 for adults or $8 for senior citizens and students.

For more information, contact Wayne Kuberiet at 732-247-0922, ext. 475, or at WKuberiet@northbrunswickonline.com.