THE YORK THEATRE in association with
L.L. ORDINARY PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
SPRING BENEFIT 2026
Monday March 30th
7 PM
Theatre at St. Jean’s
150 E. 76th St.
New York, NY 10021
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Experience Songs for a New World like never before—one night only at The York Theatre.
Jason Robert Brown’s electric song cycle bursts to life in an intimate, high-impact evening that captures the thrill of standing on the edge of change. From soaring anthems to quietly devastating moments, these songs explore the choices that define us at life’s turning points—when a single decision can open the door to a brand-new world. Directed by Jessica McRoberts, this bold, emotional, and irresistibly theatrical special event brings together powerhouse voices and stunning storytelling for an unforgettable night you won’t want to miss.
Songs for a New World
Music & Lyrics by JASON ROBERT BROWN
Director JESSICA McROBERTS
Music Director PAUL PEGLAR
Originally Produced by the WPA Theatre, New York City, 1995 (Kyle Renick, Artistic Director)
Original Orchestration by Brian Besterman and Jason Robert Brown
JASON ROBERT BROWN
Jason Robert Brown (Music and Orcheastrations and Arrangements) has written some of the most highly acclaimed scores for the stage in the last three decades, including Songs for a New World, Parade (1999 Tony for Best Score, 2023 Tony for Best Revival), The Last Five Years(also a feature film), The Bridges of Madison County (Tonys for Best Score and Orchestration), Honeymoon In Vegas, 13 (also a Netflix film), Mr. Saturday Night (with lyrics by Amanda Green), and last season’s The Connector. Upcoming: Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, written with Taylor Mac and directed by Rob Ashford based on John Berendt’s novel; and Less, written with Doug Wright and adapted from the novel by Andrew Sean Greer. As a solo artist, Jason has performed around the world – including his debut at Carnegie Hall in Autumn 2024 – and released several albums of his songs. His most recent release, Jason Robert Brown & Stephen Sondheim Live In Concert (on Concord Theatricals Recordings), documents a 2019 all-star performance at New York’s Town Hall. Jason lives in Nyack, NY with his wife, composer Georgia Stitt, and their two daughters.
JESSICA McRoberts
Jessica McRoberts (Director) is a director, performer, and theater professional with a career spanning more than three decades in the industry. She has worked extensively on Broadway and with National Tours, as well as at leading regional theaters across the country. As a performer, her Broadway credits include Follies, Nine, Sweet Charity, Sunset Boulevard, and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Additional performance highlights include appearances as a Radio City Rockette, as well as performances at Carnegie Hall and New York City Center Encores!.
Her professional experience also includes serving as an associate on numerous distinguished productions and contributing to a wide range of acclaimed theatrical projects across the American theater landscape. In recent years, Ms. McRoberts has focused her career on directing, drawing upon her extensive background as both a performer and collaborator to inform her storytelling.
Her selected directing credits include The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown, tick, tick… BOOM!, The Rocky Horror Show, Hair, Matilda, A Christmas Story, 42nd Street, and Give My Regards to Broadway, a tribute concert honoring Maury Yeston. She is elated to direct Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown, a work whose emotional depth and musical language continue to inspire her artistic voice.
Ms. McRoberts was a co-founder of Core Theatre Group and currently serves as the Associate Artistic Director at The Madison Theater. She is also a dedicated educator and has taught at STEPS on Broadway, The Atlantic Theatre Company, CAP21, Marymount Manhattan College, the Professional Performing Arts School, and The Horace Mann School. She thanks Jason Robert Brown for trusting her with his material and is honored to make her directorial debut at The York Theatre, dedicating this production to her daughter, Nova.
PAUL PEGLAR
Paul Peglar (Music Director/Piano) is a bicoastal artist wearing a lot of hats. He’s spent over two decades performing on stage (SXSW, Sundance, Symphony Space, Sony Hall), on screen (HBO, Pirates of the Caribbean, Fox's Glee), and signed to Verve Forecast with vocal-electronic project Sonos, affording him eclectic collaborations with Sara Bareilles, Margaret Atwood and others. His postmodern vaudeville duo Dakaboom garnered 400+ performances across 48 states. As a music director, vocal coach, and workshop facilitator he’s worked with thousands of students and professionals throughout the US and Europe with esteemed institutions like The American School in Switzerland, Stowe (UK), Motown Museum, Atlantic Theater Company, and currently serves as Vocal Director for the Steps on Broadway Conservatory. With his partner, Jenny DiNoia, Paul co-leads Penny: an arts training company offering workshops worldwide rooted in daring curiosity and embodied expression. Having recently music directed The Last Five Years he’s grateful to be back at the keys playing such timeless and rewarding music with this incredible team of artists. Love to Jenny. @ppeglar
PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI). ALL AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE MATERIAL ARE ALSO SUPPLIED BY MTI.
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