Neil Berg Comes to Hartford for 100 Years of Broadway Auditions
Broadway hopefuls now have the chance to audition, in person, before the noted musical theater composer/lyricist for opportunity to perform with five Broadway stars in concert at The Bushnell.
Hartford, CT – (February 13, 2009) – On Thursday, February 26 auditions will be held at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts for the “Singing with the Broadway Stars” contest , a national program operating in 20 cities. Winners of the contest will be given the opportunity to sing live on-stage with five Broadway greats in the musical revue, Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway on Friday, March 6 in Mortensen Hall. Berg himself will be present at the auditions to listen to aspiring thespians belt out their favorite Broadway tunes in the hopes of sharing the stage with the likes of Rita Harvey (Phantom of the Opera), Carter Calvert (Cats), Danny Zolli (Jesus Christ Superstar), Norm Lewis (The Little Mermaid), and Ron Bohmer (Phantom of the Opera). Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway is part of the Robinson & Cole Family Series.
Berg began the program last year as part of the 150 city tour of his hit show to “help keep the genre of music that I love so much alive and well by helping to nurture and discover the stars of tomorrow.” Berg is an educator, Broadway musicals historian, and he teaches master classes and summer programs in musical theater around the country.
In addition he is the composer/lyricist of the hit Off-Broadway musical The Prince and the Pauper, which ran for two years at the Lambs Theater in New York City. The New York Times raved “(Berg’s) music soars on Angel’s wings.” The original cast CD is released internationally on Jay Records, sheet music published by Hal Leonard, and licensing by Samuel French Inc.
Berg is currently the composer for the new Broadway musical Grumpy Old Men, based on the contemporary movie classic starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, opening in 2009/2010.
For more details about auditions or to schedule an audition appointment please email production@bushnell.org. Auditions will be held in the Goldfarb Classroom at The Bushnell from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26. Accompaniment will be provided so entrants should bring sheet music for their audition song in the key they will be singing it in. Parking will be available in several lots located off Capitol Avenue and Washington Street for a fee (the State of Connecticut lots along Capitol Avenue are unavailable during weekday hours). Please remember to allow ample time for traffic and parking to ensure prompt arrival for your appointment.
Interested parties can also audition for “Singing with the Broadway Stars” online. To enter contestants should upload a 90-to-120-second video clip of themselves singing a Broadway favorite to YouTube, MySpace, or Facebook, and then submit their audition on singingwiththebroadwaystars.com by Friday, February 27 at 5 p.m. (EST). For more details about how to enter online visit www.singingwiththebroadwaystars.com and click on “March 6: Hartford, CT.” Online entrants do not need to audition in person as well but can do so if they desire.
A panel of judges will announce one winner and five runners-up on Monday, March 2. Runners-up will sing one chorus number with five of the finest voices on Broadway and the winning entrant will get to sing a solo part in the show finale. In addition the winner and all runners-up will receive a pair of tickets and a free CD of the show.
To be eligible for the competition you must be 15 years of age or older and available on March 6, 2009, the day of the performance, by 5:00 p.m. for sound check and rehearsal. No purchase necessary. All entrants will receive a 15% discount on tickets to the show. Don’t let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity pass you by!
Tickets for Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting The Bushnell Box Office at 166 Capitol Avenue in Hartford or by calling (860) 987-5900. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.bushnell.org. Tickets are $20.00-$53.00.
About The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
The Bushnell is Connecticut’s premier performing arts center, hosting more than 350 events yearly, including major Broadway tours, symphony orchestras, family presentations, local arts and community events. The Bushnell is home to two theaters- the historic 2,800-seat Mortensen Hall, and the 907-seat Belding Theater, a state-of-the-art performance hall that opened in 2001. The Bushnell’s nationally-recognized arts-in-education program, PARTNERS (Partners in Arts and Education Revitalizing Schools), now in its 16th year, is a cross-community educational effort serving 15 schools in 6 districts throughout the Greater Hartford area. The Bushnell opened in January 1930 and is a non-profit organization. For more information, call The Bushnell at (860) 987-6000, The Bushnell Box Office at (860) 987-5900 or visit our website at www.bushnell.org.
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With support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.