Chronicle

The World Rock Symphony - August 2008

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 19:08:53 -0400

If one were to ever take a look at the reasons why I choose some of the projects I do, one would only need look at The World Rock Symphony Orchestra as an example.

The World Rock Symphony Orchestra was one of those rare occasions where form, function, quality, professionalism, flash and substance all came together under one roof. With a 35 piece symphonic orchestra, one of the most slamming rock bands I have ever played with, a 12 member Grammy Award winning Gospel choir, maybe the most impressive light show I have ever had around me and 6 incredible lead vocalists, this show encompassed all that I have ever wanted in a show. It was joy from the very beginning.

With friends Michael Lanning, Kingsley Leggs, Jessica Robinson, MIkelle, Sharon Riley, under the direction of Producer/Music Director Rob Asselstine at the Fallsview Casino, ONT., we were able to bring to life the music of nearly all the greatest British Rockers. From Led Zeppelin to The Who, The Beatles to Elton John, The Moody Blues to Supertramp, from Queen to Phil Collins, Paul Young to Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart to Argent, and even a little Joe Cocker.

It was an awesome experience. One of the things that struck me about this show was that it was just one continued laugh and amazing musical moment after another. The people associated with this show were some of the most qualified, funniest, and talented people I have ever met, and as you all know... folks like that are hard to come by.

Photos & Videos of this show are on their way. Stay tuned.

The Civil War - June 2008

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 19:08:13 -0400

As someone who has been in this business for a long time, and someone who has experienced the gamut of what this industry can be, it is hard for me to imagine a more influential experience than the one I had performing in Frank Wildhorn’s “THE CIVIL WAR”, at the National Theater in Washington DC, to help celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Ford’s Theater.

It is hard for me to explain the feeling I had being a part of that show. But I will try.

Firstly, let me say this... I was sharing a stage with Dr. Maya Angelou. Try and get your brain around that one. And while your doing that, try and get your brain around the fact that I was sharing a stage and performing with Hal Holbrook, Avery Brooks, Larry Gatlin (who very well may be the funniest man I have ever met), Bebe Winans, Trisha Yearwood, and even... yes ...hold your breath for this one... Clay Aiken. Oh, yeah... I almost forgot... President & Mrs. Bush were part of our evening as well.

Now all of these fine, gifted, and some even legendary performers not withstanding, they were just the icing on what was truly the cake of sheer talent. Now the body of the cast was made completely up of old friends. With a cast consisting of Capathia Jenkins, Lauren Kennedy, Brandi Burkhart & Cheryl Freeman as the women of the show, and Steve Blanchard, Kieth Byron Kirk, Jim Price, Ron Sharpe (the Producer of Tale of Two Cities), Bart Shatto, Tad Wilson, Dave Clemmons, Ray Mcleod, Gene Miller, Rob Evan, Michael Lanning, Tuba McKinsey, Dan Cooney and myself making up the rest of the cast , this show was just incredible. Yup... you read those names right. Can you believe the fortune to having a cast like that together? It was really incredible to be a part of the wall of sound that came from that room of voices.

This marked the 3rd time I’ve had the honor for performing for a President of the United States. Gotta tell ya... it’s a pretty cool thing to do.

This gig, this show, these people, this event... has stayed, and will stay with me for a very long time to come. It was very special to me. It was fun and powerful, and loving, and funny, and I laughed, and I sang my face off, and I met the President, and Dr. Angelou said I was beautiful, and Avery Brooks was BEYOND cool, and Larry Gatlin told dirty Jokes, and Trisha Yearwood was beautiful and sang her head off, and Hal Holbrook was dignified and funny, and the guys and I drank alot of beer, and we told jokes, and we laughed, and the women were gorgeous and they told dirty jokes too, and... and... and...

This gig was just awesome.

My love to all those who did this show with me.
Thanks for reminding me of how wonderful this job can be.
I’m really a lucky, lucky guy sometimes.

Photos of this show will be up soon in the Photo section of the site. Be sure to check bcak.

And then I went to Italy

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:41:18 -0400

He so loved the little birdies, that he gave them all a place to sit.

Why didn’t anyone tell me vacation took so much work?

Touring Florence by Segway and by foot... feels like being home.
Cruising around on Segway’s is the ONLY way to tour Florence.

Many more photos to come on this one, Kids.
We still haven’t sorted through all the photos.
Man, what a trip !

Ted shares some thought about his friends:

Tue, 8 May 2007 16:06:30 -0400

Ted shares some thought about his friends.
Danny Zolli: "For me to say that Danny is brilliant is pretty much no big whoop because everybody who sees and hears him feels this way. He's magnificent! I had no idea there was so much talent bubbling under that little face (laughing). Not only was he one of the most amazing performers to ever have played Jesus, Judas or Annas, but he has got a great edge on contemporary music, a stellar performer and wonderful human being."

broadwayworld.com
Tuesday, May 8, 2007; Posted: 10:00 AM - by Pati Buehler

Broadway Supports Covenant House Programs

Sun, 1 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Posted: 11:56 AM - by Pati Buehler Broadwayworld.com
Since 1999, the Mission of Covenant House is to service homeless, runaway and "at risk" youth. "We do this through a continuous service that includes street outreach as Covenant House staff go out on the street with the goal of contacting homeless youth and offering a way off the street, "according to Executive Director Jerome Kilbane.
On Thursday, March 29th the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts became a house filled with generous supporters from the staff and board members of this amazing organization to the wonderful entertainers and theater patrons who came out to show their love for this worthy cause. "This is the fifth year Neil Berg has brought his talented troupe to not only perform for our kids, but with our kids", says Kilbane.
The cast included Rita Harvey (Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof), Danny Zolli (Jesus Christ Superstar), husband and wife actors, director and dancers Kirby and Beverly Ward, Craig Schulman (Les Miserables, Jekyll & Hyde, Phantom of the Opera), Capathia Jenkins (Martin Short's Fame Becomes Me, Caroline or Change), comedy actor, singer Jeff Gardner (Scarlet Pimpernel, Wild Party, Carter Calvert (It Ain't Nothing But The Blues) and Lawrence Clayton (Bells Are Ringing, Dreamgirls).
Musical Highlights included a tribute to Judy Garland performed by Rita Harvey and Carter Calvert, selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, sung by Danny Zolli, "Phantom of the Opera," sung by Craig Schulman and Rita Harvey and "Jesus Christ Superstar," sung by Lawrence Clayton.
Solo highlights included Billy Joel's "Songs From An Italian Restaurant" performed by the always wildly popular Danny Zolli, accompanied by Neil and his extraordinary band, as well as Les Miserables star Craig Schulman's soaring one of a kind rendition of "Bring Him Home." Capathia Jenkins clearly brought down the house with her performance of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls. These last two songs took on a new meaning in light of the purpose of this event, and the audience response to both was sheer appreciation.
Joseph C. Swift, Chairman of the Board of Covenant House Pennsylvania was present and simply overjoyed by the entire evening. The Covenant House concept differs from other youth programs in that they employ a Rights of Passage: a transitional living program that provides long term housing and teaches youth independent living skills.
"Our goal is to treat our kids with "unconditional love and absolute respect". We allow youth as many chances as is needed to reach their goals, even if that means coming in and out of the program many times. Second, we are the only program that has a policy of "open intake". This means we often have youth that have been in many other programs, we turn no youth away", as Kilbane explains. " We welcome any group that wants to be involved within our Mission. We have great relationships with a number of volunteer groups, schools and businesses.
"Our short term goals are to increase the amount of funding that Covenant House raises to allow us to increase the quality and quantity of support services we can offer (hence the reason for our "Night of Broadway Stars" event). Our long term goal is to renovate 20,000 sg ft in Kensington to expand our current ROP program from 8 beds to 18 apartments that will provide transitional housing and services to 20 individuals and 8 mothers with children".
Clearly the most heart-warming, as well as heart-tugging, highlight of the evening was a chance to hear the personal stories of two former Covenant House members who rendered the crowd speechless and tearful with their bittersweet stories of neglect, abuse, rescue and redemption back into the world and a life that so many of us take for granted.
Prior to the evening's event, Neil Berg and company spent some time with the residents of Covenant house encouraging them and offering a handful of young people a unique opportunity - to rehearse and perform a song on stage. The finished product - six beautifully dressed young men and ladies that brought the audience to their feet with their newfound confidence and talent. They were then joined by the Broadway cast for a final song from Dreamgirls, "Family", which finished the evening with an overwhelming ovation and a feeling of compassion and appreciation for all involved in this amazing life-saving work that takes place 24 hours a day every day at the Covenant House.
The dedicated fine people of these programs welcome and encourage everyone to reach out and support a Covenant House near you. Visit their website at www.covenanthousepa.org.
The Covenant House presents "A Night of Broadway Stars" was held at the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater, Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA on March 29, 2007.
 Stephanie Peddicore & Leo Carlin, Covenant House
 Terry Delany and Dan Murphy, Covenant House Board Members
 Neil Berg, Danielle Stephens, (youth perfromer from Covenant House), Marty and Kevin Gorman, Sheila and John Wagner, Darnelll (former Covenant House resident)
 Tiffany White ( youth performer Covenant House), Leo Carlin, Covenant House and Carter Calvert
 Capathia Jenkins and Lawrence Clayton
  Rita Harvey and Tiffany White (youth performer Covenant House)
 Craig Schulman and Terry Kraus (concert patron)
 Youth performers from Covenant House

NJ 'JC Superstar' Concert

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:18:20 -0400

Broadway stars will bring to life Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar at Saint Joseph Regional High School (40 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale, New Jersey) on Friday, March 30 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, March 31 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 1 at 3:00 p.m.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Covenant House New Jersey.
Neil Berg (upcoming Grumpy Old Men) serves as Musical Supervisor for the concert. The Musical Director will be Charles Czarnecki (Conductor of Broadway Jersey Boys).
The concert will star David Velarde (The Rocky Horror Show) as Annas, Michael Lanning (The Civil War) as Simon, two-time MAC Award-nominee John Patrick Schutz (3/31) as Herod, Danny Zolli (Broadway and national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar) as Jesus, Tony-nominated Jekyll & Hyde star Robert Cuccioli (3/30 & 4/1), Lawrence Clayton (Dreamgirls) as Judas, Ray McLeod (Wonderful Town, Evita) as Caiaphas, Michael Park (Smokey Joe’s Cafe, National Tour) as Peter, David Weitzer (3/31), who starred Off-Broadway in The Three Musketeers, as Pilate, Kirby Ward (3/30 & 4/1), an Olivier Award-nominee for Crazy for You, Hairspray's Shayna Steele (3/30 & 4/1) as Mary Magdalene, and Les Miserables star Christine Hicks (3/31) as Mary Magdalene. They will be supported by a full chorus of local talent.
All seats are reserved at $40. For ticket information, call (201) 391-3300 or www.sjrtheater.com.

Posted: 3:49 PM - by BWW News Desk Broadwayworld.com