Mission

Chromolume Theatre’s name comes from the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine musical, Sunday in the Park with George, about an artist struggling to make art meaningful in 19th Century France. Chromolume Theatre was founded by two struggling artists in 2003 with its primary mission to present the American musical on an intimate level in an entertaining, intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying way. With growth and change, Chromolume Theatre’s mission has evolved with a new dedication to presenting Broadway’s forgotten gems and off-Broadway’s undiscovered treasured, and shining a light on productions that deserve a second look. Chromolume Theatre also provides opportunity for artists to shine who have not had such an opportunity in the past, as well as a dedication to diverse and multi-cultural casts and crews.

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Songs For A New World

By Jason Robert Brown

september 9 – october 2, 2016
chromolume theatre

Chromolume Theatre concludes its 2016 Season with this contemporary song-cycle written by Jason Robert Brown (“Parade”, “Bridges of Madison County”) about one moment, hitting a wall and having to make a choice, or to take a stand, or to turn around and go back. Songs For A New World was the first produced show by Jason Robert Brown and premiered at the WPA in 1995 directed by Daisy Prince.

Cast/Crew Bios
PERFORMANCE
MAIN CAST
PERFORMANCE
UNDERSTUDY CAST
songs for a new world

Latest Reviews

  • The diverse cast...are excellent.

    [T]here are two stand outs that absolutely blew me away. They are Kenny Gary (Man 1) and Samantha Lawrence (Woman 1). Their voices, as well as their acting and their ability to command the stage, are so powerful, that it took everything for me not to jump out of my seat and yell, 'BRAVO!' after each of their numbers.

    If you are a lover of musical theatre or just 'good theatre' then make it a point to see this show.

    Joan Alperin, The LA Beat

  • This River Flows: LA's Chromolume Theatre Shows You The Way They Can Shine With 'Songs For A New World'!

    [T]he production is once again in keeping with [Chromolume Theatre's] fine tradition of presenting simple but impactful smaller-cast musicals...

    [P]erhaps the really exceptional thing about this particular production (and makes it so worth recommending) is how each individual singer is so winningly suited for the type of songs they're enlisted to sing...

    Kenny Gary as 'Man 1' has a stirring, soulful vibrato and intuitive phrasing that makes each of his numbers instant standouts.

    [Bailey Humiston's] post-intermission 'Christmas Lullaby' has her as an expectant mother singing to her soon-to-be-born child, and is a genuine highlight of the show.

    Matt Mancuso as 'Man 2' also shines with some 'million-dollar money' notes, bestowing a venerable potency to both his execution and interpretation.

    [James] Esposito's direction is nicely fluid and imaginative.

    Leo Buck, Buck-Ing Trends

Bailey Humiston, Woman 1

 

Bailey Humiston arrived to Los Angeles in January and is thrilled to be in this production. She made her debut as Piper Chapman in Kefi Studio’s Orange Is The New Musical: The Unauthorized Parody at the Whitefire Theatre. Other stage credits include Legally Blonde: The Musical (Elle Woods), Spring Awakening (Ilse) and Les Miserables (Cosette). Bailey would like to thank her acting coach Robert D’Avanzo and Manager Nick Alan as well as her family and friends for their love and support.

Teresa Tracy, Woman 2

 

Teresa is thrilled to be back working at the fabulous Chromolune Theatre, and so very grateful for the opportunity to be apart of such an important work of art in its depth of storytelling. After many years of working in theatres across the U.S. performing in numerous regional productions, then rewarded with Broadway and National tours, Teresa stopped her career cold from performing to give all her time to her family. She came back to her roots here at the Chromolune with their production of Putting It Together, then was extremely fortunate to take part in the World premiere original musical production of The Count Of Monte Cristo, last year as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. I would not be able to take part in this art that feeds my soul like nothing else can, if not for my incredible husband Vic and my wonderful kids! I love you all so much!! I would like to give a shout out to all of my dear friends and mentors, (you know who you are), for their constant love and support. And finally I just want to offer my congratulations to the wonderful and talented people all the way around that are involved in this production… It truly takes a village !! James, Lauren and Nance God bless you for working so fervently to keep these doors open and the performances coming…. You clearly validate the phrase “If You Can Dream it, You Can Do It.”

Kenny Gary, Man 1

 

Kenny Gary is a true performer of dance, and has artfully perfected his craft throughout many years of learning, absorbing and teaching. With many talents throughout the performing arts spectrum, dance comes as the most natural and rewarding. Throughout his young dance career he won many prestigious titles and high score awards throughout the country under the instruction of Suzie Shoop. As well as dance he studied under an American Idol vocal coach known to many around the world, Debra Byrd. As he moved into his professional endeavors, a path was laid to the high seas of the Caribbean, Alaska, South America and the Pacific on Royal Caribbean and Holland America Cruise lines. Throughout his six years on the open ocean, singing and dancing in award winning shows and debuting cutting edge choreography by choreographers such as Tommy Tune, Patty Columbo and Sherry Zunker he developed his skills and love for dance even more. By being taught by such prominent figures of dance, he realized the amount of influence his instructors had on his mind, so in turn he wanted to reciprocate those feeling on the young minds of dance by becoming an instructor/choreographer himself. While teaching he has taken on touring and performing in shows such as Hairspray (Florida Tour) and Dream Girls (traveling cast). Some of his favorite performances have been at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on the Millennium Stage and Riverside Dinner Theater in Stafford (Chicago, It’s a Wonderful Life and Hello Dolly). His students have now gone on to win many high sores, awards, titles and college scholarships due to his teaching and the passion heshares for the common beauty of dance.

Matt Mancuso, Man 2

 

Matt is excited to make his Chromolume Theatre debut. He was last seen on the LA stage in the LA premiere of Julia Cho’s 99 Histories (u/s Daniel/Joe) with Artists at Play. Other LA credits include The Four of Us (David) and Rum and Cookies (Max) both with Polymath Theatre Company. Before moving to the LA, Matt worked in many regional houses on the east coast including Walnut Street Theatre and The Arden Theatre Company. In addition to acting, Matt has performed in numerous shows as a professional ballroom dancer. He would like to thank everyone at Chromolume for giving him the chance to perform this great show and thank you to his family, friends and teachers for all their love and support. To his fellow cast members, break legs!

Samantha Lawrence, Woman 1 u/s

 

Maryland native Samantha M. Lawrence is a passionate and dynamic actress and vocalist who relocated to the Los Angeles area in March 2016 to further pursue her career goals. Starting out in music, Samantha was an active musician throughout her childhood all the way until her undergraduate degree, where she obtained a B.A. in Music from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. It wasn’t until she competed in the Miss Maryland USA 2013 pageant that she considered acting. Shortly after the pageant, she was approached by Gigi Soto of Cima Talent Management in Baltimore, MD who helped her begin her journey. Samantha’s undergraduate degree enabled her to train extensively in music. She has studied opera, jazz, and music theater performance. She also has performance experience in these areas as well as experience performing funk and soul music as a past lead singer of the D.C. based funk band, Get to Steppin’. Her acting training includes study in the Meisner technique, as well as the experiences she has gained in commercials and short films in the Maryland-DC-Virginia area. She is excited to make her Los Angeles debut in this production of Songs for a New World and is grateful to Chromolume Theatre for the opportunity.

Bonnie Sludikoff, Woman 2 u/s

 

Bonnie is so excited to join the cast of her favorite musical of all time! Most recent credits include Dreamland at the NoHo Arts Center, and Chromolume’s recent production of Next Thing You Know. Bonnie also performs with her musical improv team 99 Problems, But a Pitch Ain’t One. After spending the last 3 decades performing in musicals, Bonnie is excited to take on the position as Chromolume’s Youth Education Director and looks forward to instilling a love of musicals in the next generation!

Kyle Fuller, Man 1 u/s

 

Throughout childhood and continuing into his adult life, Kyle has always had a strong passion for the theater arts. Some of his recent community theater shows include Mary Poppins, Seussical, Guys & Dolls, and High School Musical Live. His favorite performance of all time was when he held the lead role of Juror #8 in Twelve Angry Men. Mixed with the powerful thematic and heavy-message writing, he was thrilled to play this part as he explored the depths of his character. Kyle is really excited and appreciative to be apart of this amazing cast. He would like to thank his friends and family for supporting his dream in pursuing the arts, and he would like to thank his parents for their extraordinary love.

James Esposito, Man 2 u/s, Director, Sound Design

 

James is currently the V.P. of Operations at Chromolume Theatre. Sound design credits include Next Thing You Know, Bird, Prez, Do Lord Remember Me, Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, Merrily We Roll Along, Capsized Floatsam, Greek Tragedy, Musical of Musicals, the Musical, Altar Boyz, and Strip, the latter of which he also directed. Scenic Design credits include the NAACP Award Winning production of Do Lord Remember Me and Love Songs – A Musical, both for Chromolume Theatre. On stage, his credits include Company (Bobby), City of Angels (Munoz), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Thurio), Forever Plaid (Sparky), Fiddler on the Roof (Twice!), Cinderella and Chess just to name a few.

Lauren J. Peters, Assistant Director

 

Lauren J. Peters is very excited to be working as the Assistant Director on her 10th production with Chromolume Theatre. Working in the musical theatre world for most of her life, Lauren has worked in a lot of areas nothing and off stage. Delighted tone working with such a great cast and prob ruin team, Lauren hopes you all enjoy the show. She would also like to thank her mom, Nance , her girlfriend, Emily and her best friend Ksells for all of the support through the years.

Daniel Yokomizo, Musical Director

 

This is Daniel Yokomizo’s second professional theatre production ever, having musically directed Edges at Chromolume Theatre over the summer. In the past, he’s written and played music for two plays in high school, Colin Campbell’s Golden Prospects and Dracula. More recently, he’s played guitar in several shows with UCLA’s Hooligan Theatre group. He currently is the accompanist for Rolling Hills Preparatory School’s choir. Daniel is very excited to work with the amazing cast and crew of Songs For A New World and hopes that you will enjoy the show!

Shen Heckel, Scenic Design

 

Shen is a theatre professional from the Los Angeles area. He graduated from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, and Television, and is an alumnus of the New York Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab. Assistant Directing credits include Working, the musical and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the world premiere of The Dodgers and We Are The Tigers. He has worked in all aspects of theatre, some previous projects include Stage Manager and Lighting Designer of Twelfth Night, R&J, and A Winters Tale. Set and Lighting Designer of The Bachelorette. Assistant Stage Manager of Recorded in Hollywood, Properties Master of Assassins, Taming of the Shrew, and Corktown 57. He also made his LA acting debut this past summer in Sex, Love, and Yoga.

Michael Mullen, Costume Design

 

Michael is happy to be working on this project. He has costumed such shows as Fugue (Ovation and Broadway World nominations), Sweeney Todd (Stage Raw nomination), American Idiot (TicketHolder Award), When Stars Align (Broadway World nomination), Dorian’s Descent (Broadway World nomination ), Moon Over Buffalo (Broadway World nomination), God’s Gypsy (Broadway World nomination), Dreamgirls (Ovation Award, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, N.A.A.C.P. Theatre Award, L.A. Weekly Theatre Award, Broadway World Award). He has received such Stage SceneLA Awards as 2014-2015 Costume Designer Extraordinaire, 2013-2014 Costume Design Of The Year (Individual Production) for Dorian’s Descent, and 2012-2013 Costume Designer Of The Year. He would like to thank everyone involved with this show, his friends and family, and you for coming to see it! :)

Richard Fong, Lighting Design

 

Richard is thrilled to be working with Chromolume Theatre again after previously working with them on Next Thing You Know earlier this year. His devotion to theatre has led him to UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television where he currently studies under industry professionals. Hailing from the Bay Area, he has worked with Berkeley Repertory Theatre on their production of An Audience with Meow Meow, Contra Costa Civic Theatre’s production of La Cage aux Folles, and Ray of Light Theatre’s Heathers: The Musical. He aims to enrich his theatrical design career in the Los Angles area and hopes that he can bring something exciting to Songs For A New World.

Matthew Sanchez, Stage Manager

 

Matthew A. Sanchez has stage managed in many theaters throughout Los Angeles. He got his start at Casa 0101 in Boyle Heights working on The Imaginary Life of Street Sweeper August G. He has worked on many original productions all around Los Angeles including A Cat Named Mercy and Swarm Cell. Recently he served as Assistant Stage Manager on Antaeus Theater Company’s Production of Uncle Vanya. He is excited to be working on his first production here at Chromolume Theatre. He is also the co-founder of www.curtaincallwiki.com, a new website that hopes to log and catalogue all aspects of technical theater. He hopes to continue help growing this new wiki so that it will become a resource for all involved in theater.

Troy Dailey, Aaron

 

Troy Dailey enjoys walks on the beach, an Irish mule, and playing with all the doggies.  His first memory on stage is joining Van Halen during their Balance Tour. Introducing them in true rebel child fashion, he froze hearing the thunderous applause. Being carried offstage by a band member aside, it was love at first fright. Favorite roles: Archibald Craven (The Secret Garden), Beast (Beauty and the Beast), The Baker (Into the Woods). Troy dedicates today’s performance to his mother, who was always his biggest supporter.

Paloma Malfavon, Casey

 

Paloma Malfavón is excited to be making her Chromolume Theatre debut as Casey in the Los Angeles premiere of First Date at the Zephyr Theatre. She recently played Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the El Portal Theatre, earning a SCENIE Award for Breakout Lead Performance. Other favorite roles include Rizzo in Grease and Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love and encouragement.

Kendre Scott, Gabe

 

Kendre Scott is ready to help bring in the new era of Chromolume after their hiatus and kill it on stage doing the LA premiere of First Date: The Musical. He’d like to thank his wife Gina for always pushing him to perform and do what he loves. His previous roles include Jack Kelly (Newsies at CTG Santa Clarita), Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors at ActingOut!), and Benny (In The Heights at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center)   

Natalie Scott, Lauren

 

Natalie Scott is a Los Angeles-based actor and singer. After earning her BA in Theatre from Eastern Michigan University, she moved herself out to California where she’s performed on stages with Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, and Whoopi Goldberg. Favorite theatre credits include: Legally Blonde (EMU), Alice in Wonderland (Wilshire Ebell), and A Case of the Mondays (The Actors Group). She recently starred in the Christmas caper, Merry Heistmas, and is looking forward to continuing her training with The Groundlings this spring. ItsNatalieScott.com

Christopher Baker, Reggie

 

Christopher Baker, a Florida native, is excited to be part of First Date. He has performed in productions such as Rent at Chance Theatre, where he played Benny, and recently portrayed Jerry in ARENA: A House Music-al. Christopher is a passionate actor, constantly honing his craft at Baron Brown Studio, and looks forward to delivering a great performance.

Rachel Yoffe, Allison

 

Rachel is excited to be making her Chromolume debut! Rachel received her BA in Theatre from California State University, Northridge and some of her previous credits include: Sweeney Todd (Johanna), The Secret Garden (Lily), Spring Awakening (Martha), Evita (Mistress), The Drowsy Chaperone (Kitty), Legally Blonde (Vivienne U/S), Big Fish (Sandra), The Prom (Kaylee), Something Rotten (Portia U/S), Les Miserables (Cosette U/S), Elf (Jovie U/S). Enjoy the show!

Michael Angel, Waiter

 

Michael is extremely honored to be back at Chromolume Theatre, after having played Buck in Zanna, Don’t! back in 2017. Some past credits include Legally Blonde (Elle’s Dad/Ensemble), In the Heights (Domingo), Mamma Mia! (Eddie), Grease (Roger) and Elf (Store Manager). When he is not performing, you can catch him serving Theatre greatness in the Box Office at the Pantages Theatre! Thank you for supporting live theatre and enjoy the show!

Bonnie Joy Sludikoff, Grandma Ida

 

Bonnie Joy Sludikoff is thrilled to be returning to the stage after a nearly four year hiatus! These days Bonnie mostly works as a writer and activist/advocate, but she never turns down an opportunity to burst into song whether onstage or— let’s face it — literally anywhere else. Past favorite performances have included Songs For A New World (Woman 2), A Chorus Line (Bebe), Hair (Jeanie), The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (Doatsy Mae), Godspell (Joanne), and six magical seasons singing at Disneyland Resort and other amazing venues with Mixed Company’s Tis The Season Handbell Carolers. Bonnie has also starred in four solo shows including The Magic Schoolbus: A Traumedy.  She is grateful for the opportunity to get back to the magical world of telling stories through song. www.BonnieJoySludikoff.com

Andreas Pantazis, Aaron u/s

 

Andreas Pantazis is grateful for the return of Chromolume Theatre and be apart of that. Just seen in Guys and Dolls with Altadena Music Theatre, Beauty and the Beast as Beast with Nocturne Theatre and as Gaston with Candlelight Pavilion/Inland Pacific Ballet. Other Credits: Les Miserables (Courfeyrac, u/s Marius) Regional Tour; Kiss Me Kate with Marina Del Rey Symphony; Home For The Holidays (Santa) Knott’s Berry Farm; Elf the Musical (u/s Santa, Greenway) Sierra Repertory Theatre; and Cinderella with 5 Star Theatricals. He’s thanks James, Jonny, Michael and talented cast for letting him share the stage with them. Big thanks to his family and friends, and you for your continuous support of LA theatre. IG: @Andreas.a.Pantazis

Olivia Leyva, Casey u/s

 

Olivia has a B.A. in English and a minor in Theater Arts from California Lutheran University. Her recent previous acting credits include In The Heights (Morgan-Wixson Theater) and The Prom (Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center). She’s also a director, playwright, and dramaturg around Los Angeles and Ventura counties. She hopes you have many fruitful first dates!  

James Esposito, Director, Scenic Design, Sound Design

 

James is thrilled to be back in the director’s chair after a six year hiatus. Directing credits include Dessa Rose (LA Premiere), Pacific Overtures (Stage Raw Winner for Best Musical), Songs For A New World and Strip. He is a founding member of Chromolume Theatre and is currently the V.P. of Operations. Sound Design credits include Dessa Rose, Pacific Overtures, Zanna, Don’t! just to name a few. Scenic Design credits include the NAACP Award Winning production of Do Lord Remember Me and Dessa Rose. On stage, his credits include In The Heights (Kevin) Company (Bobby), City of Angels (Munoz), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Thurio) and Forever Plaid (Sparky) just to name a few.

Brianne Lopez, Assistant Director

 

Brianne Lopez is thrilled to make her debut as assistant director for the production of First Date. Brianne’s previous acting credits Include In The Heights at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, Rent at Cabrillo stage, Little Shop of Horrors and Bring It On The Musical at College of the Canyons. While Brianne is regularly seen on stage, she is so excited to step onto the other side of the curtain. She wants to thank her partner Domonique for always supporting her in whatever she does.

Jonny Perl, Musical Director

 

Chromolume debut! Former Managing Director, Shinbone Theatre Company. Musicals: Shel, Lorelei, Macabaret, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Cabaret; and Immersive Experiences: What Went Wrong, Welcome Back Woodchucks, Afterlife Anonymous. Actor: Cuckoo’s Nest, Tick, Tick…BOOM!, and Merrily We Roll Along. Co-Producer How to Dance in Ohio on Broadway, Production Supervisor Paws of Fury for Paramount. Upcoming: Farewell My Concubine by Kenneth Lin and Jason Robert Brown. Jonny also regularly music directs, accompanies, teaches, and leads piano bar singalongs. Best known for TikTok @Jonny.Perl.

Michael Marchak, Choreographer

 

Michael received a BA in theatre with a minor in chemistry from USC. He is currently pursuing a masters in Urban Planning also at USC. Having choreographed Zanna Don’t, Pacific Overtures, Dessa Rose, and directed Story of My Life; Michael is thrilled to be back at Chromolume once again! Starting his dance training at sixteen years old, Michael found a passion for storytelling through movement. Ballet became a favorite while also training in jazz, tap and dabbling in hip-hop. Past choreography/directing credits: Mean Girls (Fairfax High School), Topsy Turvy (Cupcake), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Crown City), The Importance of Being Earnest (Crown City), She Loves Me, Charlie Brown, Legally Blonde, Little Women, Wild Party, Matilda, Frog & Toad, Addams Family, and Prom (all at MWT). @mikejmarch “You’ve got talent. Don’t give up.”

Ariella Salinas Fiore, Intimacy Director

 

Ariella Salinas Fiore (she/her/ella) is excited to be part of the return of Chromolume! This is her first time working with this company.  She has served as Intimacy Director for Romeo and Juliet, Choose Your Own Ending (Morgan-Wixson), Las Sirenas (LATC), American La Ronde (PRT), Elf (SVCAC), Losing Your Humanity (HFF), and Seminar (Little Fish Theatre), among many others.  She is also an Intimacy Coordinator for film and television.  She has been performing as an actor on stage since she was 3, and has worked as a sex educator since college, so the leap to Intimacy Professional was a natural one. She is grateful to James and the team for having her on board to create a consent forward space for this story. Much love and thanks to her partner, Michael, to their loinfruit, and to her friends, who all always provide her with so much support. IG: AriellaSalinasFiore

Kara McLeod, Costume Design

 

Kara has been a theater professional for about a million years, or over 30, depending on how you count them.  She has worked with companies such as South Coast Repertory, Center Theater Group, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, LA Opera and Disney Imagineering.  Some of her past shows with Chromolume are The Musical of Musicals, the Musical!, Pacific Overtures and Dessa Rose.  She’s excited to be back at this, the rebirth of Chromolume Theatre and hopes you enjoy this and many more shows to come!

Cici Mao, Lighting Design

 

Cici is excited to join Chromolume for First Date! Their past work includes Footloose at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, If All The Sky Were Paper with Arroyo Reparatory Theatre, and various theatre productions at MIT, including Jekyll and Hyde, The Wedding Singer, and A Chorus Line.

Brandon John, Master Electrician

 

Brandon John is excited to join Chromolume as the Master Electrician. Recent lighting and sound design credits include Small Mouth Sounds, Jekyll & Hyde, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line, Jasper in Deadland, Spamalot, Footloose, and The Addams Family.

Emily Walker, Production Stage Manager

 

Emily is so excited to work with Chromolume for the first time as the Production Stage Manager. Her previous work as a PSM includes Footloose, In The Heights, and Wild Party. She would like to thank her friends and family for all the support and love. 

Ken Werther, Publicity

 

KEN WERTHER PUBLICITY has been a staple in the Los Angeles performing arts community since 1982. Public relations, producing, directing. As producer: All Your Hard Work (Brimmer St. Theatre Company); The Good Boy (LATC); A Kind of Kind (Celebration Theatre @ Atwater Village) the Queer Classics productions of The Importance of Being Earnest and The Taming of the Shrew. Assistant director: Stop the World, I Want to Get Off (Musical Theatre Guild); The Women of Brewster Place (Celebration Theatre); The Woodsman (Coeurage Theatre Company).