Overview

The New Normal: A Spiritual Response in Words and Music is an inspirational and deeply moving work which focuses on our country's spiritual response to the September 11th tragedy.

The show brings together messages from secular and religious thought leaders from around the world with theater songs, inspirational pieces, and original music. Within this tapestry, The New Normal underscores the truths existing among peoples of all faiths and backgrounds— especially those evident in challenging times. A first of its kind, the show offers a unique and stirring look at our world today — through the eyes of both children and adults.

The work features original material as well as selections from legendary Broadway composers and lyricists such as Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods), Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin), Rodgers and Hammerstein (South Pacific), and Maltby and Shire (Baby, Starting Here, Starting Now), Jason Robert Brown (Tony-award winner for Parade), Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story), and many others.

The New Normal was written to demonstrate the actual spiritual expression of our country and its people. Therefore, many of the monologues and exchanges in the show are excerpts from the veritable words of world, spiritual and secular thought leaders, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Imam Izak-El Mu'eed Pasha, Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Mary Baker Eddy, Neale Donald Walsch, Fred Rogers, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, and several others. The balance of the text used in the show echoes the invaluable voice of the common person, including prayers taken from the Beliefnet Web site. Many of these prayers were posted the day of the attack.

The show features a cast of five experienced performers, with credits that include Broadway, classical music, and opera as well as national and international tours of Broadway shows. The cast also includes three children.

The New Normal debuted before several hundred people as part of Boston's 2001 First Night Celebration. The show was enthusiastically received by audience members of all ages and religious backgrounds. So much so, that the Enspire Team was encouraged to expand the project and create the concept album. The Cast album is now available under the Original Cast Recording portion of this site. The CD includes 28 beautifully woven tracks of both text and music; a compilation which captures the sensitivity and impact of the live stage production.

The New Normal continues to be an inspirational journey for the Enspire Team. We hope that you will journey with us.

Enspire Productions, Inc., Creative and Management Teams