The Hanover Theatre | Neil Berg's 50 Years of Rock N Roll Part 3

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Who’s Who in the Band Neil Berg - Piano/Musical Director is currently the composer/ co-lyricist, along with book writer/ Pulitzer Prize/TONY winning playwright Robert Schenkkan, of the Broadway bound Award-winning new musical The Twelve, which opened at The Denver Center to unanimous rave reviews, won the HENRY Award for best new play or musical.

Neil is also currently the composer for the musical version of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, based on the Warner Brothers movie classic starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, which opened to rave reviews at The Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine in its U.S. premiere. The LA premiere opened September 2019 at La Mirada Theater in Los Angeles, starring Hal Linden, Cathy Rigby and Ken Page.

Past developmental readings/productions have featured Academy Award-winning actor F. Murray Abraham, TONY Award winner George Hearn, Len Cariou, Marilu Henner, Carole Kane, Didi Cohn and Sally Struthers. Licensed by TRW (Theater Rights Worldwide).

Neil is also 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 Prince and the Pauper “[soars] on wings of theatrical fun.” The original cast CD is released internationally on Jay Records, sheet music published by Hal Leonard, and licensing by Samuel French Inc. Songs from this show are also featured with many other classic songs in the official Off-Broadway Songbook, published by Hal Leonard.

Neil is also currently working with writer Jonathan Feldman (Swing Kids movie) and Producer Mark Gordon (Grey’s Anatomy, Saving Private Ryan), on a new contemporary musical called Never Grimm, helmed by TONY-nominated director, Leigh Silverman (Sweet Charity).

Other musicals include Tim and Scrooge (book and lyrics

by Nick Meglin), The Man Who Would Be King (book/lyrics

by DJ Salisbury), Heidi (book by Julia Jordan), Hexed in the City, Percy Penguin, Threads, and False Profits.

As a film composer: “Once upon a Time in Brooklyn,” starring Armand Assante, Ice-T, William DeMeo, and Cathy Moriarity, and “Searching For Bobby D” both directed by Paul Borghese.

Neil was recipient of the 1995 Bistro Award for Best Musical for his show Asylum in the Night, a revue of Neil’s theater music. Neil had an evening dedicated to his music at Joe’s Pub, produced by BrodwayWorld.com, and returned to

Feinstein’s for a two-week engagement in July 2011 after a sold-out performance in 2010.

Neil is proud alumnus of Binghamton University, and studied musical composition/piano with Sue Peters, Walter Ponce, Robert Printz and is a product of The BMI Musical Writer’s Workshop, mentored by Maury Yeston and Skip Kennon.

As a Producer, Neil is the creator and co-producer, along with producing partner Adam Friedson, of Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway and Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll, one of the most successful Broadway touring concerts in the United States for the past decade, playing over 100 venues a year on national tour. Other concerts include Neil Berg’s Piano Men (the songs of Elton John and Billy Joel), Neil Berg’s The Beatles, and Neil Berg’s Songs of The ‘60s & ‘70s.

Neil was producer and driving force of the Award winning 2013 Off-Broadway revival of Maltby and Shire’s Closer Than Ever at The York Theater (Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical Revival).

As owner of Leftfield Productions, Inc., an entertainment company based in Nyack, NY, Neil has produced over a thousand Broadway concerts worldwide with such legends as Michael Crawford, Bernadette Peters, Ben Vereen, Audra McDonald, Betty Buckley, Rita Moreno, Donna McKechnie, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, Liz Callaway, Alice Ripley, Stephanie Block, Mark Kudisch, Capathia Jenkins and many others.

Neil also produced concert versions of the musicals The Secret Garden, in association with its composer, Lucy Simon, The Mystery of Edwin Drood (NYC), Chess (John Houseman Theater) and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Neil was the Producing Artistic Director of The Broadway Series at the world-famous China Club in NYC. Over the past 25 years, Neil has been the musical director/entertainment coordinator for such great organizations as Covenant House and The Leukemia Society of America. He has produced countless corporate events all across the world for Goldman Sachs, UBS/Paine Webber, Deloitte Touche, John Hancock, Marriott Corporation, IBM, The United Hospice Organization, The American Red Cross, and many others.

Neil was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his artistry and dedication to community service, including helping to raise over $25 million dollars for the homeless youth at Covenant House with his Broadway Concerts. Neil was also honored with the Distinguished Citizen’s Award, along with Academy Award-winning actress Ellen Burstyn,

by The Rockland Family Shelter for his efforts on behalf of abused women. Neil was also honored in 2001 as The American Red Cross Man of the Year and was honored

Who’s Who in the Band again in 2003 by The United Hospice Foundation. In 2008, Neil was awarded Artist of the Year by the Arts Council of Rockland County.

Neil also toured the U.S. with the rock band Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan and played on their past seven CDs as well as performed with them on the recent “100 Year Anniversary Tour” for Harley Davidson.

Neil is the co-founder of the SJR Theater Workshop, a theater camp for students in Montvale, NJ, which instructs over 200 young actors/singers a year. This program is now run year-round.

Neil is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and can be reached at www.neilberg.com.

Neil is married to actress Rita Harvey, and dedicates everything to their son, Lucas David Berg.

Roger Cohen - Drums was the percussionist for ‘Rocktopia’ on Broadway. where he performed with Pat Monahan (Train), Dee Snyder (Twisted Sister) and Robin Zander (Cheap Trick).

Most recently, Roger was working on Sheryl Crow’s new Broadway-bound show, ‘Diner’. Other credits include Martin Short, Rita Moreno, Sally Struthers, Audra McDonald, Sir Cliff Richard, Kathy Lee Gifford and Dom DeLouise.

Roger is a founding member of the hard rock band Cruel Season. Their latest release is titled ‘Breathe’ (Dark Star/ SONY Music).

Roger is married to performer Carter Calvert. Their CD, “Carter Calvert & The Roger Cohen Trio,” debuted at #13 on the CMJ National Jazz charts. It garnered rave reviews and received national radio play. The CD is available on CDBaby and iTunes.

Another role that is very important to him is his role as mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program (BBBS.org).

Abraham Saenz - Bass is an amazing bassist of Peruvian decent, Abraham Saenz began his career in NY’s specialized high school for the arts (LaGuardia H.S. for the Performing Arts). He furthered his studies in schools like Harlem School of the Arts for jazz and Harbor Conservatory for Latin music in which Abraham was awarded full scholarships for. He began playing with local salsa bands at the age of 16. Eventually, at 17, Abraham joined Juan Carlos Formell’s changui quartet where

Abraham began extensive studies of Cuban music.

With only a couple of years experience under his belt, he managed to earn a spot in the premiere salsa record label band, the RMM orchestra under the direction of Isidro Infante. (The RMM orchestra was to the Latin scene as the Funk Brothers were to Motown.) Being the youngest member of this band gave him the opportunity to learn from the great Isidro Infante and travel the world. With the RMM orchestra he collaborated in the Latin Grammy award winning concert for Best Salsa Performance, “Celia and Friends: A Night Of Salsa.”

Abraham has graced the main stage at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre playing for Pablo Cabrera’s musical ‘’Quien Mato a Hector Lavoe?” and Carmen Rivera’s “La Lupe: My Life, My Destiny.” He has recorded, performed, and collaborated with musical figures such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Alvaro Torres, Tito Nieves, DLG, Lisette Melendez, Isidro Infante, and many more. He has also performed in various festivals in the United States, Peru, Australia, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Spain, Italy, and in the Caribbean Islands, such as the Tri-C Jazz Festival, El Festival National del Callao, Kalalu Festival of St. Lucia, La Feria de Cali and the Bacardi Sydney Festival among others.

Currently, Abraham can be seen as a member of such musical groups and artists as Jimmy Sabater Jr. y Los Salseros del Hudson, Kevin Ceballo, Groupo Caribe, and the world’s best charranga band, Orquesta Broadway, in some of the most famous venues in New York City.

Mike Wilson - Guitar is an accomplished stage and studio musician. He has worked closely with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (for which he was awarded a gold and platinum record), as well as veteran producers Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, John Lennon) and Paul O’Neill (TransSiberian Orchestra, Aerosmith). In 2005, Michael joined Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway,” where he’s toured across the country as well as internationally, backing Broadway stars such as six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Stephanie Block (“Wicked,”“The Mystery of Edwin Drood”), Rob Evan (“Jeckyl & Hyde,”“Les Miserables,” Trans-Siberian Orchestra), and Tony Vincent (“American Idiot,” NBC TV’s “The Voice”), among many others. He has appeared in several musicals including “The 12,”“Spun,”“Calling All Kates,” is a featured performer in “50 Years of Rock and Roll,” and most recently had the pleasure of performing in the Broadway revival of the hit musical “Smokey Joe’s Café”.

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Who’s Who in the Cast Miss YaYa Born and raised in New York City of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, Miss YaYa is a singer/songwriter who specializes in making people dance. As the former lead singer of legendary Salsa trio Dark Latin Groove, under the direction of Sergio George, she was nominated for a 2009 GRAMMY, as well as many other prestigious awards, and toured the world.

Miss YaYa’s professional experience also includes musical theater as well as vocal training in genres from pop, soul, and jazz to R&B, hip hop and classical music. Her sensuous powerhouse voice lends itself to the tropical genre, with a focus in the Salsa Urbano movement. Miss YaYa is promoting her first solo album, titled “The Demo,” with hits “Acariciame,” a Maria Conchita Alonso cover, and original songs, including “Sigo De Pie” and “Ya Por Ti No Muero,” executive produced by Cuban born up-and-coming producer, Gus Alberto. In addition, she recently released the single “Piña,” a Karol G. Salsa cover. Miss YaYa has formed her own 13-piece tropical band of super-talented New York musicians, La Fuerza, and is performing throughout the U.S. and South America, as well as collaborating with talented producers, the likes of Marlow Rosado and Tito Puente, Jr., for her next solo album.

Joey Calveri accolades include Broadway: ROCK OF AGES (Stacee Jaxx), WONDERLAND (Knight). Other credits include WE WILL ROCK YOU - Las Vegas (Galileo). TRIP OF LOVE (Peter), US and European tours: A BRONX TALE (Carmine/Sonny), SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (Tony Manero/ Double J), WEST SIDE STORY (Action), GREASE-Das Musical (Kenickie). Regional: HAIR (Berger), CABARET (Emcee), ASSASSINS (Balladeer). He as also written an immersive rock show FOR MADMEN ONLY and is also a painter with a display at Hourglass Tavern on Restaurant Row. Check out his original rock band MACHINE ELVES and their two albums, “Fancy Suits and Cigarettes” and “The Unbelievable Destruction of the Ego Maniac”. For more info go to JoeyCalveri.com.

Dan Domenech’s versatile vocals have been heard in 49 states and 8 countries. Touring with productions of the Tony Award-winning musical RENT, Wonderland, Sister Act, Rock of Ages and Kinky Boots. Starring in Rock of Ages on Broadway and with his work on Heathers the Musical, Domenech has made his mark as one of the industry’s leading men.

In concert, Dan has made appearances with the Missouri Symphony, and Nederlander Worldwide’s production of Broadway Rox. He’s worked with composers Tom Kitt, Laurence O’Keefe, Frank Wildhorn and Alan Menkin on new shows including the soon-to-be-released revamp of BatBoy the Musical.

Domenech made his television debut on Glee (Fox) and has made guest appearances on Gotham (Fox) and Viva Luaghlin (CBS), and worked with directors Ben Stiller, Brett Ratner, Ivan Reitman and Adam McKay on several films and awards shows out of Los Angeles.

Jarran Muse was most recently seen starring as Marvin Gaye on Broadway and the National Tour of Motown the Musical. Some favorite credits: Green Day’s American Idiot, Dreamgirls, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Hairspray & 42nd Street. All thanks to God! www.jarranmuse.com Brook Wood is a singer based in New York City. She most recently made her debut with The Philly Pops in their “POPS Rocks Phil Collins and Genesis.” She is currently touring with some of Broadway’s best singers in Neil Berg’s “50 Years of Rock and Roll” across the U.S. She originated the role of JP Morgan in the Adirondack Theatre Festival’s production of “Nikola Tesla Drops The Beat.” She was also seen in the PATH Funds “Rockers on Broadway” at Le Poisson Rouge benefiting Tom Kitt. She toured with “Post Modern Jukebox On Deck” onboard Holland America Line in 2019.

Brook is a native of Indianapolis, IN and a proud graduate of Indiana University. Instagram: @brookwoodmusic

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