In May 1997 Byrne released her fifth studio album, "New Ways to Dream". Andrew Gans of "Playbill" opined that "it is a wonderful recording. Byrne has a throbbing voice that is one of the most emotional sounds you'll encounter. To me, the late Nancy LaMott's voice always sounded full of 'warmth'; similarly Byrne's voice sounds full of warmth plus a life of 'battles won and lost.'" She performed a duet with Jackman on a medley of Stephen Sondheim's "No One Is Alone" and "Children Will Listen" from his musical play, "Into the Woods". Gans felt the duet was "another highlight" as "the two create a moving, mini-drama."