Keith Davis, 3/11/2009
Photo by Sheryl Sinkow
William Finn's wry musical, "A New Brain," opening March 24 at Ithaca College Theatre, looks at a life interrupted by illness and reclaimed through love and forgiveness.
Photo by Sheryl Sinkow
Ben Fankhauser '11, Danny Lindgren '12 and Max Lorn-Krause '12.
Photo by Sheryl Sinkow
Danny Lindgren '12, Hillary Patingre '09, Ben Fankhauser '11, Max Lorn-Krause '12, Meredith Beck '09 and Mariah Ciangiola '09.
ITHACA, NY — Ithaca College Theatre will present William Finn’s “A New Brain,” directed by Susannah Berryman. Performances will be offered at 8 p.m. on March 24, 26–28, 31 and April 1–4, with matinee performances offered at 2 p.m. on March 28, 29 and April 4. All performances will be held in the Clark Theater in Dillingham Center on the Ithaca College campus.
Ticket prices range from $4.50 to $10 and can be purchased in person at the Ithaca College Ticket Office in Dillingham Center or by calling (607) 274-3224. Tickets may also be purchased by visiting the Ticket Center at the Clinton House, by calling (607) 273-4497, or visiting www.ithacaevents.com.
“A New Brain” is William Finn’s autobiographical musical about conquering one of his biggest fears: dying with his greatest songs still unwritten. With lyrics by Finn and book by Finn and James Lapin, “A New Brain” is the story of Gordon, a frustrated songwriter who is stuck writing songs for a children’s television show. Like Finn, Gordon suffers a brain injury that suddenly puts life in perspective. Throughout the musical, Gordon’s relationships with his mother, lovers, medical professionals, strangers and boss are tested and tried as he and those around him grapple with the gift of life and the reality of death. “A New Brain” is “sung-through,” meaning very little dialogue is spoken; conversations, monologues and musings are all given life through music. “Rent” and “Miss Saigon” are other examples of sung-through musicals.
In 2005, Finn’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” made its Broadway debut and was nominated for six Tony Awards. In 1992, he won two Tony Awards for “Best Book” and “Best Original Score of a Musical” for his work “Falsettos.”
The cast of “A New Brain” features Ben Fankhauser ’11, Danny Lindgren ’12, Jeffrey Schara ’09, Jeremy Reese ’09, Bruce Landry ’12, Alex Krasser ’09, Meredith Beck ’09, Mariah Ciangiola ’09, Catherine Stephani ’09 and Hillary Patingre ’09.
“A New Brain’s” creative team includes choreographer Adam Pelty (assistant professor of theatre arts), music director and conductor Joel Gelpe, scenic designer and Cornell professor Kent Goetz, costume designer Ainsley Anderson ’10, lighting designer Kelly Syring ’09 and sound designer Jillian Marie Walker ’09. The technical director is Johnny Kontogiannis and the stage manager is Victoria Sheehan ’09.
A nationally recognized professional theatre training program, the Department of Theatre Arts attracts students from across the United States. Through Ithaca College Theatre and the production season, undergraduate students present all aspects of theater in a professional model. Ithaca College Theatre has been a cultural resource for Tompkins County and the region for more than 70 years.
Originally published in News Releases: Ithaca College Theatre Will Present William Finn's 'A New Brain'.
