Reviews

Teatro launched in 2020 with the goal of providing more work for San Diego theater artists of color and the LGBTQ and disabled communities. Its first full production — a filmed staging that opened for streaming over the weekend — follows through on that promise with a diverse cast and creative team and a modern rethinking of “Songs” that clearly reflects the social justice issues of today, while still honoring the musical’s origins.

Whatever turn our lives were taking before, COVID has forced us to take a hard look at where we were and where we want to go or be — to re-visit, as these songs do, our hopes, dreams, fears, failures, potential and possibilities. Though the pandemic is never mentioned or referred to in the Teatro San Diego production, this “color-conscious” company, “defining All American,” committed to “raising the visibility of the underrepresented communities of San Diego,” has certainly placed the piece squarely in our time.

As more shows are being produced, both live and virtually, on a regular basis, it is a perfect time for a new company to make a big introduction to the San Diego theatre community. Teatro San Diego is currently presenting their inaugural production of Jason Robert Brown’s 1995 musical, Songs for a New World.

Teatro San Diego “exists to further the founding social activists and artists’ vision of bringing to life the multi-cultural spirit of San Diego through world-class visual and performing arts.”