Songs for a New World - 30th Anniversary Concert AT EVENTIM APOLLO, LONDON

A Celebration of Broadway Brilliance at the Eventim Apollo

For one night only, the Eventim Apollo played host to a truly unforgettable evening, marking the 30th anniversary of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World. With the composer himself conducting and accompanying on piano, the stage was set for a remarkable showcase of Broadway excellence. Leading the performance were four of Broadway’s brightest stars, Joy Woods, Titus Burgess, Jordan Fisher and Shoshana Bean, each bringing extraordinary vocal power and emotional depth to the piece. Their combined talent illuminated the musical’s rich, complex score and captivated the audience from start to finish.

For anyone unfamiliar with Songs for a New World, it isn’t a traditional musical with a linear plot. Instead, it’s a song cycle, each piece connected by the shared theme of life-altering decisions and turning points. Known for its vocal challenges and lyrical depth, the show has long held a special place in the hearts of musical theatre students and enthusiasts alike. With the show lacking a traditional narrative, it relies heavily on the performers’ ability to convey each number with clarity and strong storytelling, a task they handled superbly. Equally, the stunning composition ensures the music itself captivates the audience from start to finish.

Stepping into the Eventim Apollo, it's impossible not to be struck by the magnificence of the venue. The vast auditorium, adorned with deep emerald green walls and elegant crystal chandeliers, evokes a sense of theatrical wonder, we couldn’t help but hum “One Short Day” from Wicked, as the atmosphere felt strikingly reminiscent of the Emerald City itself. The stage design was minimalist yet effective. With no elaborate sets or props, the space was left open, except for a structure at the back displaying the show’s title and the band’s instruments arranged neatly at the front. It was clear from the start that this evening would be all about the music and the people who bring it to life. The energy in the room was palpable, a shared anticipation among what was clearly a crowd of devoted fans. That excitement erupted into thunderous cheers as Jason Robert Brown took to the stage, accompanied by his musicians. It was one of the loudest and most enthusiastic welcomes I’ve ever witnessed in a theatre and rightly so. That electric atmosphere carried through the entire evening. Each performer’s entrance was met with roaring applause and every song concluded with cheers that echoed throughout the venue. It was a celebration not just of a beloved piece of musical theatre, but of the artists who brought it to life with such passion and precision.

All four of the leading Broadway vocalists delivered sensational performances. From the very first notes of the opening number, it was immediately clear that each possessed a truly special voice. The first to take the stage was Joy Woods, recently seen on Broadway as Middle Allie in The Notebook and Louise Hovick in Gypsy. Her vocal control was remarkable, seamlessly transitioning from powerful belt notes to tender, delicate falsetto. Woods’ performances were among the most heartfelt and emotionally resonant in the entire show. Each song she sang was a story beautifully told, with expressive delivery and an impressive vocal range that captivated the audience. Particularly in Act 2, her hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving rendition of “The Flagmaker, 1775” stands out. The song is a powerful reflection of a woman enduring the turmoil of the Revolutionary War while her husband and son are away fighting. The song builds gradually into a crescendo of emotional intensity. Throughout, she delivers each line with crystal-clear diction and a rich, expressive tone that amplifies the song’s heartbreak and passion.

Credit: Nina Duncan (Burgess)

Jordan Fisher brought fantastic stage presence to the performance, with vocals that were crisp, clear and consistently controlled. Of all the singers that evening, he showcased the least vocal acrobatics, but that restraint suited his songs perfectly. His performance of “She Cries” in Act 1 was a standout. He guided the audience through an emotional journey, delivering each lyric with sincerity and depth, his smooth, expressive voice elevating the piece beautifully. “I’d Give It All for You” is my personal favourite from Songs for a New World, it was performed by Jordan and Joy Woods and they delivered it with remarkable chemistry and precision. Their connection felt authentic, their emotions believable and their vocals, much like throughout the entire performance, were flawless.

The performer I was most excited to see was Titus Burgess. I’ve been a fan ever since I was lucky enough to see him as Sebastian in Disney’s The Little Mermaid on Broadway over a decade ago. Since then, he’s returned to the Broadway stage in standout roles, most recently as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! and Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Many will also know him from his television work, particularly as the Narrator in Schmigadoon! on Apple TV and of course, as the unforgettable Titus Andromedon in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix. If you're familiar with Titus' voice, you’ll know just how extraordinary his range and tone is. His vocal ability is nothing short of astonishing, capable of hitting high notes that soar into a register most often associated with female vocalists, all while maintaining his distinctive sound. Each of his performances during the show was remarkable, but his Act 2 rendition of “King of the World” was especially powerful. It’s a demanding number that calls for both technical vocal precision and compelling storytelling and Titus delivered both with confidence and class. I also noticed something quietly moving during a few of the group numbers where he was encouraging and uplifting his fellow performers on stage, visibly supporting their moments and cheering them on. It was a small but touching detail that spoke volumes about his presence and generosity as an artist.

It feels almost unfair to single out any one performer as the standout of the evening, given the incredible talent and consistently high quality across the entire cast. That said, witnessing Shoshana Bean live was truly something extraordinary. As the voice featured on the 2018 Songs for a New World soundtrack, hearing her perform these numbers in person was a thrilling experience for fans and she did not disappoint. Shoshana’s voice is truly one of a kind. It seems there’s no note beyond her reach and her impressive vocal riffs are nothing short of breathtaking. Her performance at the end of “Surabaya-Santa” was a highlight of the night, she hit an astonishingly high and powerful note that ignited the auditorium, prompting one of the most enthusiastic and well-deserved ovations of the evening, rivalled only by the show’s finale. Beyond her vocal prowess, Shoshana masterfully tells the story behind each song. Her comedic numbers were among the funniest moments of the night, delivered with impeccable timing and a wicked sense of humour that clearly comes from her own playful spirit.

The evening concluded with a powerful and soaring rendition of the show’s finale, “Hear My Song,” performed by all four artists standing hand in hand at the front of the stage. Throughout the performance, much like Titus had done earlier, the cast watched and encouraged one another with genuine enthusiasm, creating a warm, uplifting and deeply emotional atmosphere. Adding to the poignancy of the moment, the performers gradually fell silent allowing Jason Robert Brown himself to take over the final vocals of this beautiful piece he composed 30 years ago. There’s something profoundly moving about witnessing an artist perform their own work live and this moment brought tears to my eyes. The audience responded instantly with a standing ovation, as Jason’s masterful and electrifying piano playing brought the evening to a thrilling close. In summary, this anniversary performance was far more than a concert, it was a masterclass in musical storytelling and one I feel honoured to have seen.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

SEAT REVIEW

Venue: Eventim Apollo, London

Seat location: Circle, Block 10 Row E, Seat 17.

The seats are comfortable with a reasonable amount of legroom. While the Circle feels a bit distant from the stage, making it harder to catch facial expressions, I’d consider booking in the Stalls next time for a closer, more immersive experience. That said, the overall view is still very good and well-suited for large-scale productions with elaborate sets.