DLOC (Diablo Light Opera Company) has expanded its venue opportunities for its audiences with a cleverly directed, lighthearted musical for explorers, old and new, seeking harmony in their new or estranged worlds, in Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs For A New World”, at the Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette.

Director Kevin Morales has brought together four exceptionally talented entertainers, Meghann May (as woman #1), Marisa Borowitz (as woman #2), Dave Abrams (as man #1) and Danny Cozart (as man #2), to sing about life’s hopes, fears, transitions and joys through a multitude of great songs. The work includes some very clever, funny, and passionate songs, a diverse combination of tunes with conventional, reverent and even irreverent themes, covering events and situations that touch on everyone’s lives.

The voices are quite excellent, several are even exceptional. This is not a review of songs you have heard previously, Jason Robert Brown is basically a new voice with new lyrics that are both entertaining and memorable. The show is one I wouldn’t mind seeing again just for the joy of the wonderful voices and clever production!

The music and accompaniment under the direction of Greg Zema (pianist) is quite excellent. He is accompanied by Eyrn Pola on keyboards, Devon Hood on Bass and Gary Glass on percussion. Costumes Design by Marianna Ford is clever and fetching and appropriate.
This excellent production plays this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and on Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Town Hall Theatre at 3535 School Street at Moraga Road, in Lafayette. Call (925) 283-1557 or visit the website at http://www.thc.org/ for reservations or additional information. Tickets are $28 for general admission and $25 for seniors.

The same show will be repeated at 8 p.m. in the magnificently restored El Campanil Theatre at 602 W. Second Street, in Antioch, on Saturday, April 26th. I strongly recommend a trip to Antioch if you cannot make the show’s very short run at the Town Hall Theatre, for two great reasons, the Campanil Theatre is a gorgeous restored theatre venue and Humphrey’s restaurant, just a few blocks away provides a terrific dining experience, overlooking the bay and delta waters. Call for reservations in Antioch at (925) 757-9500 or visit their website at http://www.elcampaniltheatre.com/. Tickets are $28 for general admission and $25 for seniors.