Van Wezel Announces NEIL BERG'S 110 YEARS OF BROADWAY

Neil Berg returns to the Van Wezel celebrating a record-breaking decade of annual performances with an exciting, all-new show! 110 YEARS OF BROADWAY recreates the finest moments from the most memorable shows of the century featuring the actual Broadway stars of shows like Jersey Boys, Wicked and Mamma Mia! Backed by an excellent New York-based band, Neil Berg presents skillful arrangements of Broadway classics as well as electrifying numbers from Broadway's freshest hit shows. Don't miss this spectacular performance on Wednesday, January 30 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Reserve your seats today!

Along with musical director and pianist Neil Berg, this Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall production will feature the following artists*:

Neil Berg (Piano/Music Director) is the composer/co-lyricist of award-winning new rock musical THE 12, written with Pulitzer Prize/Tony-winning playwright, Robert Schenkkan, which premiered at the Denver Center. His other shows include the new Broadway-bound musical Grumpy Old Men, which opened to rave reviews for its U.S. Premiere at The Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, the hit Off-Broadway musical The Prince and the Pauper, Tim and Scrooge, which ran at the Westchester Broadway Theatre in NY and The Man Who Would Be King. Neil is the creator/co-producer of the #1 Broadway touring concert in America, Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway, as well as Neil Berg's 50 Years of Rock & Roll and Neil Berg's Pianomen. He is the co-producer of the Off-Broadway Alliance Award-Winning revival of Closer Than Ever.

Danny Zolli (Performer) is best known for his monumental number of performances as Jesus, Judas, and Annas in more than 15 productions of Jesus Christ Superstar throughout the world, and his unique and stirring performance of the aria "Gethsemane" is debated among the show's fans as one of the best. Danny has just completed and will soon be releasing his second solo album entitled Sometimes Simple is Best. Most recently, Danny starred as Jesus in the 20th Anniversary concert of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Rita Harvey (Performer) starred recently as Hodel in the hit Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof with Rosie O'Donnell and Harvey Fierstein. She made her Broadway debut performing the lead role of Christine Daee in The Phantom of the Opera, after two years performing the role with the second national tour. She starred off-Broadway as Lady Edith in the hit musical The Prince and the Pauper. Rita has performed as featured soloist around the world with stars such as Robert Evan, Betty Buckley, Ben Vereen, Craig Schulman, Lillias White and Michael Crawford.

Jeannette Bayardelle (Performer) has traveled to over fifty countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean sharing her music. Her success has landed her in the national media spotlight with television appearances on Oprah, Live with Regis & Kelly, KTLA, TBN and more. Jeannette starred in the revival production of Hair on Broadway as Dionne and in The Color Purple on Broadway as Celie. She also originated the role of Celie on the first national tour of The Color Purple, where she received an NAACP award for best lead actress in a musical. Her extraordinary performances on stage lead her to work on Disney's Princess and The Frog, Little Mermaid III Ariel's Beginning and a performance for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Jeannette wrote and stars in her new musical Shida, which premiered Off-Broadway.

William Michals (Performer) made his Broadway debut as "The Beast" in Disney's Beauty and the Beast - then returned to play Gaston! Additional appearances include Les Miserables (Javert), CHICAGO (Billy Flynn), Man of La Mancha (Don Quixote), Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom), The Sound of Music (Von Trapp), The Music Man (Harold Hill) and Camelot (Lancelot). His performance as Chauvelin in The Scarlet Pimpernel earned kudos across the country. Mr. Michals frequently appears in his solo "Broadway in Concert," and with America's major symphony orchestras, recently including the San Diego and Utah Symphonies and Peter Nero's Philly Pops. He has also appeared on Law and Order, All My Children, and Guiding Light.

Roger Cohen (Drums/Percussion) 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. He has also worked with 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. Modern Drummer Magazine states, "Roger's playing reveals an admirable combination of power, musical creativity and restraint."

Abraham Saenz (Bass), a musician of Peruvian decent, began his career in NY's LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. At age 17, Abraham joined Juan Carlos Formell's changui quartet where he began extensive studies of Cuban music. He earned a spot in the premiere salsa record label band, the RMM Orchestra, under the direction of Isidro Infante. 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 more. Currently, Abraham performs with musical groups and artists such as Jimmy Sabater Jr. y Los Salseros del Hudson, Kevin Ceballo, Groupo Caribe and Orquesta Broadway.

Brandon Sturiale (Keyboard) has worked with Michael Cerveris, Beth Malone, Mary Testa, Natalie Weiss, Tonya Pinkins, Len Cariou, Orfeh, Michele Pawk, Baayork Lee, Chuck Wagner, Jenn Gambatese, Fred Applegate, Rob Evan, Paolo Montalban and Christina DiCicco. He has performed alongside Tony Bennett for Tony Randall's National Actors Theatre at the Plaza Hotel. He played his first Off-Broadway show,The Marvelous Wonderettes, for 13 months (over 400 performances) and can be heard on the cast album released by P.S. Classics. In October 2016, he released his first vocal album, So Much More: The Songs of Brandon Sturiale. a collection of 12 songs with 12 different singers, with genres ranging from pop to classic rock, country to cabaret.

*Cast is subject to change based upon possible Broadway and touring developments.

Tickets are $19.50-$64.50 with limited sections remaining. Purchase at VanWezel.org, the Box Office, or by calling (941) 953-3368. This show is sponsored by Wilde Lexus Sarasota and ABC7. Groups of 10 or more should contact (941) 363-2025.