THEATRE PREVIEW

OCTOBER 2026 | Volume 268

 

Gateway Theatre Brings Songs for a New World to Richmond's Historic Minoru Chapel

Four acclaimed local performers bring powerful songs of hope, courage, and new beginnings for three performances, November 13–14

Date & Time:	Friday, November 13, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 7:30 p.m.
Location:	Minoru Chapel, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond, BC
Box Office:	Available at www.gatewaytheatre.com or 604-270-1812.
Tickets & Info:	$40 general admission
Running Time:	Approximately 90 minutes plus a 20-minute intermission
Recommended Age:	12+

Gateway Theatre brings the extraordinary music of Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown to Richmond's historic Minoru Chapel with Songs for a New World from November 13 to 14, 2026. Through a collection of powerful songs of uplifting, deeply human stories, the show explores the hope and courage to embrace new beginnings.

Directed by Gateway Theatre's Executive Artistic Director Barbara Tomasic, with music direction by Clare Wyatt, this intimate concert presentation features Imelda Gaborno, Jenny Andersen, Hal Wesley Rogers and Aaron Cheung. Together, these four talented performers bring to life a series of characters facing choices, risks, and turning points through song.

"One of the beautiful things about Songs for a New World is how personal these stories feel, even though the characters and their circumstances are so different," says Barbara Tomasic. "We've all experienced moments when life has asked us to make a choice, take a risk or find the courage to move forward. Jason Robert Brown captures those emotions so beautifully through music. Bringing these extraordinary voices together in the intimate setting of Minoru Chapel will be a special experience for audiences."

Jason Robert Brown has written some of the most acclaimed musical theatre scores of the past three decades. His works include The Last Five Years, which was adapted as a feature film; his debut song cycle, Songs for a New World; and Parade, for which he won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Original Score and the 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Whether audiences are longtime musical theatre fans or discovering Jason Robert Brown's work for the first time, Songs for a New World offers exceptional music, emotional storytelling and a reminder that even in life's most uncertain moments, there is always the possibility of something new. This productionis a part of Gateway Theatre's 2026–2027 season, Us. Here. Now., which celebrates the power of live performance to bring people together through shared stories and experiences. Tickets are available at www.gatewaytheatre.com or through the Gateway Theatre Box Office at 604-270-1812.

Songs for a New World was originally produced by the WPA Theatre, New York City, in 1995 (Kyle Renick, Artistic Director). Original orchestration by Brian Besterman and Jason Robert Brown. Presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

About Gateway Theatre
Gateway Theatre is "A Stage for Change", creating outstanding professional theatre to be a celebrated stage for the performing arts in British Columbia, guided by the diverse stories of this place and beyond.

Gateway connects with audiences and artists through three areas: Theatre and Events, Education, and Community Rentals. Through Theatre and Events, Gateway produces a breadth of stories that tackle ideas, values, and issues that reflect this city's diverse people. The Education programming connects youth to the performing arts, including offering classes in acting, singing, and dancing. The Community Rentals program allows the community to celebrate its achievements, welcoming thousands of people each year to participate in events put on by the public. Gateway Theatre is proud to bring the community together through the performing arts.

 

 

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