Monday, March 1, 2010

Michael Lavine Signs On As Musical Director For THEY CHANGED BROADWAY

Metuchen, New Jersey – 02/25/2010 –  Michael Lavine, world-renowned musical director, pianist, and vocal coach agrees to be the musical director for the Neve Shalom’s June 13 performance of “They Changed Broadway”.

“Michael Colby approached me about my availability for the June 13, 2010 show, and I was happy to agree,“ says Michael Lavine. “This is a really wonderful idea for a benefit; and as a musical theatre historian and collector, I know exactly what Michael was thinking when he came up with the idea for ‘They Changed Broadway’.”

“We’re really very lucky and excited to have an accomplished musical director of Michael Lavine’s caliber and experience to help us with this benefit,” says Hope Serratelli, Neve Shalom board of director and fundraising manager.

Michael Lavine works regularly with Heather MacRae and her show about her father, Gordon. He has worked with Burton Lane on CARMELINA (York Theatre Company) is currently collaborating on Drama Desk nominee Jon Peterson's one-man show, SONG MAN, DANCE MAN, celebrating Astaire, Cohan, Gene Kelly, Anthony Newley and Bobby Darin. For 13th consecutive years—since its inception—Michael has musical directed “Broadway Bears,” a popular event where Broadway-themed teddy bears are auctioned to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This spring, he will again musically direct the Outer Critic's Circle Awards and the Astaire Awards (for the best in Broadway dance).

The appeal of this kind of fundraising event is that Neve Shalom can reach beyond its 500 family membership, giving local residents a valuable and unique Broadway experience without travelling into Manhattan.

Mr. Lavine and Mr. Colby are hand-picking songs from Broadway’s historic plays to weave into a two-hour, one-night program that will feature well-known performers.

Curtain goes up on THEY CHANGED BROADWAY 4PM, June 13th, 2010 at the Forum Theatre, Metuchen, New Jersey.

About Michael Lavine

Michael Lavine (http://www.michaellavine.net/) has musically directed the Outer Critic's Circle Awards, Broadway Bears Teddy Bear Auction (as he's done the past 13 years) and the Astaire Awards earlier this year. He co-produced the American premiere recording of HONK! which he has musically directed twice. Michael musically directed the Comden and Green musical BILLION DOLLAR BABY at the York Theatre in New York City starring Kristin Chenoweth, Marc Kudisch and Debbie Gravitte (cd available) and the Burton Lane/Alan Jay Lerner musical CARMELINA, also at the York with Debbie Gravitte. He shared the stage with Mimi Hines and Peter Howard (his mentor) at the Kennedy Center in a Rodgers and Hart revue, THIS FUNNY WORLD.

About The Forum

The Forum Theatre Arts Center (http://www.forumtheatrearts.com/) is a nonprofit performing arts organization and has been the Cultural Arts Center of central New Jersey since 1928, when it was built as a theatre and vaudeville tryout house, then soon after as a neighborhood movie house. The Forum Theatre has presented hundreds of American and World Premieres with an emphasis on musical theatre, as well as numerous A-list concerts. The Forum Theatre is located at 314 Main Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840. Phone: (732) 548- 5600

About Congregation Neve Shalom

For 75 years, Congregation Neve Shalom (http://www.neveshalom.net/) has been providing religious services and Jewish Education for its Conservative Egalitarian members at 250 Grove Avenue, Metuchen, NJ. Neve Shalom maintains a vibrantly active and welcoming community with educational programs, religious services and lay leadership.

Neve Shalom's annual Suzy Schwartz Concert, and Book and Author Events are well-known to surrounding residents for their ability to draw well-known and famous performers, authors, and lecturers.

For More information about “They Changed Broadway” call (732) 548-2238 EXT. 24 or visit http://www.theychangedbroadway.blogspot.com/.

Congregation Neve Shalom is located at 250 Grove Ave, Metuchen, NJ 08840. Phone: (732) 548- 2238

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