Jason Robert Brown has written some of the most highly acclaimed scores for the stage in the last three decades, including Songs for a New World, Parade (1999 Tony for Best Score, 2023 Tony for Best Revival), The Last Five Years(also a feature film), The Bridges of Madison County (Tonys for Best Score and Orchestration), Honeymoon In Vegas, 13 (also a Netflix film), Mr. Saturday Night (with lyrics by Amanda Green), and last season’s The Connector. Upcoming: Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, written with Taylor Mac and directed by Rob Ashford based on John Berendt’s novel; and Less, written with Doug Wright and adapted from the novel by Andrew Sean Greer. As a solo artist, Jason has performed around the world – including his debut at Carnegie Hall in Autumn 2024 – and released several albums of his songs. His most recent release, Jason Robert Brown & Stephen Sondheim Live In Concert (on Concord Theatricals Recordings), documents a 2019 all-star performance at New York’s Town Hall. Jason lives in Nyack, NY with his wife, composer Georgia Stitt, and their two daughters. 

 Jessica McRoberts is a director, performer, and theater professional with a career spanning more than three decades in the industry. She has worked extensively on Broadway and with National Tours, as well as at leading regional theaters across the country. As a performer, her Broadway credits include Follies, Nine, Sweet Charity, Sunset Boulevard, and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Additional performance highlights include appearances as a Radio City Rockette, as well as performances at Carnegie Hall and New York City Center Encores!. Her professional experience also includes serving as an associate on numerous distinguished productions and contributing to a wide range of acclaimed theatrical projects across the American theater landscape. In recent years, Ms. McRoberts has focused her career on directing, drawing upon her extensive background as both a performer and collaborator to inform her storytelling. Her selected directing credits include The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown, tick, tick… BOOM!, The Rocky Horror Show, Hair, Matilda, A Christmas Story, 42nd Street, and Give My Regards to Broadway, a tribute concert honoring Maury Yeston. She is elated to direct Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown, a work whose emotional depth and musical language continue to inspire her artistic voice. Ms. McRoberts was a co-founder of Core Theatre Group and currently serves as the Associate Artistic Director at The Madison Theater. She is also a dedicated educator and has taught at STEPS on Broadway, The Atlantic Theatre Company, CAP21, Marymount Manhattan College, the Professional Performing Arts School, and The Horace Mann School. She thanks Jason Robert Brown for trusting her with his material and is honored to make her directorial debut at The York Theatre, dedicating this production to her daughter, Nova.

Paul is a bicoastal artist wearing a lot of hats. He’s spent over two decades performing on stage (SXSW, Sundance, Symphony Space, Sony Hall), on screen (HBO, Pirates of the Caribbean, Fox's Glee), and signed to Verve Forecast with vocal-electronic project Sonos, affording him eclectic collaborations with Sara Bareilles, Margaret Atwood and others. His postmodern vaudeville duo Dakaboom garnered 400+ performances across 48 states. As a music director, vocal coach, and workshop facilitator he’s worked with thousands of students and professionals throughout the US and Europe with esteemed institutions like The American School in Switzerland, Stowe (UK), Motown Museum, Atlantic Theater Company, and currently serves as Vocal Director for the Steps on Broadway Conservatory. With his partner, Jenny DiNoia, Paul co-leads Penny: an arts training company offering workshops worldwide rooted in daring curiosity and embodied expression. Having recently music directed The Last Five Years he’s grateful to be back at the keys playing such timeless and rewarding music with this incredible team of artists. Love to Jenny. @ppeglar

Gary is a NYC freelance guitarist. Gary has enjoyed a long-time friendship and collaboration with composer Jason Robert Brown playing his concerts and off Broadway and Broadway shows including, The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and most recently Mr. Saturday Night starring Billy Crystal. He also appears on Jason’s solo albums Wearing Someone Else's Clothes and How We React and How We Recover.  additional notable recordings of Gary's include Donald Fagen’s Sunken Condos and Cornelius Bumpus’s Known fact. Gary is looking forward to performing for this benefit performance of Songs For A New World!

Acclaimed by the New York Times for her “stylish, committed playing”, violinist Robin Zeh enjoys a diverse career as tenured member of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra, as concertmaster of the recent revival of The Music Man with Hugh Jackman, as well as concertmaster of the annual Tony Awards broadcast. In 2025 Robin was the onstage fiddle soloist in Jackman’s residency at Radio City Music Hall, From New York with Love.

Broadway credits (substitute): THE OUTSIDERS, PARADE, KIMBERLY AKIMBO; Off-Broadway (sub): THE CONNECTOR, WHITE GIRL IN DANGER, ONLY GOLD; National tour (sub): PARADE; Polarity album by Michael Wartella (Wicked, Tuck Everlasting, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory); has previously worked with Jason Robert Brown, Jackie Evancho, and Frances Ruffelle. 

Acoustic and electric bassist Sue Williams is a veteran of the NYC music scene. From CBGB’s to Lincoln Center and The White House, Sue has performed in many diverse settings including Broadway, jazz clubs, blues festivals and worship services. A fan of The York Theater, Sue is thrilled to be back at The York performing Songs For A New World.

Kaila is a New York City based performer and teacher whose work spans orchestral, chamber, and solo settings. Kaila is a Bard Conservatory graduate who studied with Peter Wiley. She has appeared at prestigious venues across NYC and performed internationally, building a career as both a performer and educator. 

Kiku maintains a dynamic and versatile career that redefines the notion of a multi faceted musician.  A native of Las Vegas, NV, Kiku began her studies at the Nevada School of the Arts. She made her solo debut at the age of ten with the Las Vegas Symphony and attended high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy. Since moving to New York to study at the Manhattan School of Music, Kiku has had the opportunity to collaborate with artists and shows in a variety of musical genres and is committed to premiering new works. As a classical violinist, she has performed with Pierre Boulez, John Williams, Luciano Pavarotti, Mark Morris Dance Company, International Contemporary Ensemble, and Alarm Will Sound. On the popular music circuit, she has collaborated with Jay-Z, Beyonce, Adele, Björk, Ariana Grande, Post Malone , Raye, James Blake, Ed Sheeran, Beck, Tony Bennett, The Who, and Sufjan Stevens to name a few. Her Broadway chairs include: Ragtime, West Side Story, Follies, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Bridges of Madison County, On the Town, Allegiance, The Cher Show, Mrs. Doubtfire, Bad Cinderella, Spamalot!, Tammy Faye, and is currently at Moulin Rouge. Off Broadway: Giant, Kid Victory, The Mad Ones, Einstein’s Dreams, and Only Gold. Kiku's teachers and mentors include her parents, Mary Straub, Hal Grossman, Teresa Ling, Neil Weintrob, Enrico DiCecco, and a personal friend as well as a patron of the arts, Mrs. Bernice Fischer

Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Addams Family, Big Fish, If/Then, Falsettos (filmed for PBS Live From Lincoln Center), City Center Encores! A New Brain.  First National Tours: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Addams Family, If/Then.

Favorite roles include Christine in Yeston/Kopit’s Phantom (ensemble on the RCA/BMG cast recording) Polynisia in Dr. Dolittle with Tommy Tune, and Lady Anne and Nimue in the national tour of Camelot starring Sir Michael York.  Also a certified Doula, Sandi loves how being a bold guardian blends all of her skills.