William Finn's wry musical, A New Brain, looks at a life interrupted by illness and reclaimed through love and forgiveness.William Finn's wry musical, A New Brain, looks at a life interrupted by illness and reclaimed through love and forgiveness.
Tickets are still available for the remaining April 2-4 performances. Ticket prices range from $4.50 to $10.00 and may be purchased in person at the Dillingham Ticket Office 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 by 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, the musical 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.
The cast 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.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20090402135314961