Sparta resident directs, acts in musical

Daniel Peter Vissers of Sparta is directing Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown’s musical, “Songs for a New World,” at Fellowship Hall in the Morristown Methodist Church, 55 S. Park Place.

Vissers, co-founder of Pioneer Productions, also will perform in the show.

There are six performances: at 8 p.m. June 9, 10, 16 and 17 and at 3 p.m. June 11 and 18.

Tickets are $25. To buy them online, go to https://pioneer-productions-company.ticketleap.com/songs-for-a-new-world/

The musical examines life, love and the choices we make in collection of songs. The song-cycle concept takes the audience through time, making stops in 1492, 1775, the 20th century and the present day.

“What speaks to me most about this show are the powerful stories of human experience, and all the struggles, pain and triumphs that come with life,” Vissers said. “It’s about finding that glimmer of light in our darkest moments that gets us through to tomorrow.”

The actors play a variety of roles, from a young basketball star, a Revolutionary War heroine, the captain of a Spanish sailing ship on a harrowing voyage across the Atlantic, a young woman confronting her dreams, and a woman who reflects on missed love and opportunity.

Each one tells a unique story of change, overcoming obstacles or facing a difficult choice.

The cast includes Amber Brown (Montclair), Tracey Lynn Haskell (Lebanon), Sherry Mayce (Little Falls), Connor McDowell (Jersey City), Jazmynn Perez (Metuchen), Shanna Levine Phelps (Livingston), Michael Willis (Parsippany) and Andrea Wright (North Plainfield).

The show is choreographed by Pioneer co-founder Jon Mantes (Whippany), with musical direction by Hannah Comia.

“Though the themes are deeply profound and moving, there are lighter moments as well,” said Shanna Levine-Phelps of Livingston, Pioneer co-founder and cast member.

“I am confident that the audience will be moved to laughter as well as tears. This show is quite an emotional ride!”

Pioneer Productions was incorporated in 2003 as a nonprofit theater company by founding members Vissers, Levine-Phelps and Jon Mantes.

The company’s mission is to share our collective human story through live theatrical performance by producing shows that are relevant to our time and inspire audiences to attend live theater.

Funding for the show has been made possible in part by funds from Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.