The Musical Theatre Guild's summer offering will be “Songs for a New World” by Jason Robert Brown. The show will go on starting July 12 at the William A. Lehnerd Production Center in Butler Memorial Park, Memorial Drive.

Most of the actors play dual roles and are nameless in this musical, which was written to utilize Brown's earlier works that were never incorporated into specific shows.

The musical revue centers around a common theme about the times when life throws a curve and some unexpected event leads to an unplanned journey.

Returning to the stage after his appearance in the MTG spring show, “South Pacific,” is David Halin of Center Township.

With this production, his voice soars to new heights.

“I'll be singing out of my comfort zone regarding, the use of my head voice, or falsetto,” said Halin, who normally reserves that range for singing with the radio at home.

“I have learned through the rehearsals that if I put my mind to it, I am able to sing higher than I have in any other show,” he said.

Halin is excited to debut this unexpected new ability for the audience and share it with his MTG family.

“One song I sing in the show is called 'King of the World.' The character is a man that has been thrown into jail for some wrong doing, and he's trying to sort out how he ended up in such a predicament,” said Halin about how the songs tell a story.

Many of the actors find Brown's compositions well written but complicated.

“The biggest challenge is learning all of the intricate music. Although he is a brilliant composer, his work is complicated,” said Sarah Bishop of Center Township.

Bishop, a college sophomore pursuing a bachelor's in musical theater at the University of Cincinnati College Conservative of Music, is putting her knowledge to good use in this show.

“It has really allowed me to use tools I have learned at school and incorporate them into the songs. Vocally, I am able to focus on my high mixed range in my individual songs, while still practicing my alto range in the group numbers,” she said.

The variety of roles each of the actors portrays also can be challenging, but Davlin Hupp of Butler Township is rolling with the punches.

“In one song I am a woman who regrets choosing money over love. In another, I am Santa Claus' disgruntled wife,” said Hupp.

“One of my favorite songs is called 'Flag Maker.' I am a mother and wife waiting at home while her husband and son are off fighting a war. The only thing she can do to help and stay sane is to sew flags,” she said.

Also starring in the show are Amanda Tokarek, Jim Kasparek, Rik Medic and Reese Fleeger.

The show is under the direction of Karen O'Donnell with Christina Savannah as the music director.