Despair, hope and love: Hillbarn Theatre & Conservatory stages ‘Songs for a New World’

Instead, the performers go by Woman 1 and 2, and Man 1 and 2.

Together and individually they sing songs meant to convey ideas such as the hope that brought people across the sea to a new world, as expressed in “On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492,” performed by Man 1 (Sidney Matthew Román).

After that there are songs of despair, such as the company’s “The River Won’t Flow,” which refers to homelessness.

There also are songs of hope, of love lost and regained, and the human cost of war.

Six panels with projected images are suspended over the stage in Eric Olson’s scenic design as a way to illustrate and amplify the feelings of the songs.

The floor is painted with phrases like “Ocean of Despair,” “The Lonely Desert,” “Delta of Desire” and others.

Much credit goes to Cindy Goldfield, who designed the projections. They become quite contemporary in some of the latter songs, especially “Hear My Song.” It’s accompanied by photos from the protests that followed recent ICE actions in Minneapolis, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Besides designing the projections, Goldfield skillfully directed this production and its movements.

The four cast members are all good singers and actors. Besides Román as Man 1, they are Coleton Schmitto as Man 2, Sophie Oda as Woman 1 and Jessica Coker as Woman 2.

Music director and keyboardist Jad Bernardo directs two other musicians on an upstage platform.

The costumes are by Stephanie Dittbern with lighting by Pamila Gray and sound by Jeff Mockus.

Because this is live theater, glitches sometimes arise. Such was the case opening night when Román’s mic suddenly went out during his “King of the World,” but he continued singing as if nothing were wrong. His mic worked thereafter.

Another more subtle problem was a backlight seen on the audience’s left that flickered throughout the show.

Running about 90 minutes without intermission, “Songs for New World” will continue through May 17 at Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City.

For tickets and information call (650) 340-6411 or visit hillbarntheatre.org.