Michael Goldfried Directs Benefit Revue THEY CHANGED BROADWAY

Metuchen, New Jersey – 02/23/2010 – Michael Goldfried is directing the Neve Shalom benefit revue “They Changed Broadway” onstage at The Forum Theater Arts Center, June 13, 2010.

“I am flattered to be asked and I’m looking forward to working with all the very talented performers on this fantastic material,” says Michael Goldfried.

Mr. Goldfried adds, “A benefit revue featuring the Jewish Contribution to the American Musical from Berlin to Bernstein and beyond is a wonderful idea. Writing for the theater is one of the great contributions that Jews have made to 20th Century American culture. It’s an astounding array of great material and I know the audience will have a great time.”

The Jewish contribution to the musical goes well beyond hit songs and Jewish themes. “They Changed Broadway” will feature hand-picked songs from Broadway’s iconic musicals woven into a two-hour, one-night program featuring well-known performers.

“We’re thrilled to have someone of Michael Goldfried’s talent agree to direct THEY CHANGED BROADWAY,” says Hope Serratelli, Neve Shalom board of director and fundraising manager.

The revue offers something of unique value to an audience that reaches beyond its 500-family membership expanding its fund-raising activities that benefit Youth and Elderly, Meals on Wheels, Save the World Committee, and the Edison-Metuchen-Colonia-Woodbridge and surrounding Middlesex County, NJ community at large.

THEY CHANGED BROADWAY will be on stage in Metuchen, New Jersey June 13th, 2010 at the Forum Theatre.

About Michael Goldfried

Michael Goldfried (http://www.michaelgoldfried.com/) is a sought-after New York City-based director and a current recipient of the prestigious NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Directors. His work in New York includes Novel and Gardening Leave (Summer Play Festival) Shangri La (Queens Theater in the Park); Charles Ludlam’s Stage Blood (KGB) and Something Wonderful Right Away (HERE). Recent work with the Drama League of New York includes Mama’s Boy (New Directors/New Works); Kahn and Kant (DirectorFest); Living Purgatory (New American Play Initiative with University of New Mexico) and 365 Plays (Joe’s Pub/Public Theater). New play development includes: the Public Theater; the New York Theater Workshop; Youngblood/E.S.T; Dramatists Guild; Freedom Train Productions and Ars Nova. He has adapted and directed numerous comedies including Twelfth Night, Tartuffe, The Imaginary Invalid and The Rover. Directed numerous plays as Associate Artist in the 2010 Take 10 New Plays festival in Aspen, CO. Alum of the Drama League Director's Project, the Lincoln Center Director's Lab; Geva Theater Directing Fellowship; MTC Alper Directing Fellowship. Directing faculty at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). Visiting faculty/guest director: Brown University; NYU; Fordham University at Lincoln Center; S.U.N.Y. Brockport. Founding member of the League of Independent Theaters (LITNY). Assisted: Jerry Zaks (MTC/Broadway); Oskar Eustis (Trinity Rep, The Long Wharf); Les Waters (Berkeley Rep); Peter DuBois (The Public Theater). BA: Vassar College. MFA: Brown University/Trinity Rep Consortium.

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

Broadway Lyricist Explains June 13th , 2010 Benefit Revue Name: THEY CHANGED BROADWAY

Metuchen, New Jersey -02/22/2010 –Michael Colby, acclaimed award-winning librettist, lyricist, and performer, explains the name of Neve Shalom’s one-night only benefit revue planned for June 13, 2010 at the Forum Theatre in Metuchen.

“It’s the perfect name,” says Michael Colby, managing continuity for the benefit. “Neve Shalom wants a unique experience, and a unique experience deserves a compelling title that tells the story at a glance.” He adds that, “The Jewish contribution to the musical goes well-beyond hit songs and Jewish themes.”

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

The approximately two-hour revue takes a Broadway Musical journey from Berlin to Bernstein and Beyond. Mr. Colby, a member of Congregation Neve Shalom, is no stranger to writing for benefits having written continuity for two benefits at the 92nd Street Y: STANDING OVATIONS (starring Carol Channing, Nell Carter, Elaine Stritch, Leslie Uggams, and other great ladies of the theatre) and THE LONGEST RUNNING SHOW ON BROADWAY (a tribute to Maurice Levine, hosted by Angela Lansbury). He also wrote STEPHEN SCHWARTZ: A CELEBRATION, a benefit for the Directors Company, starring Betty Buckley, Paul Shaffer, Kathy Najimi, et al.

“Congregation Neve Shalom is extremely lucky and proud to have Michael and his family as members of the synagogue and doubly blessed to have him participating so actively in the planned June 13 production of THEY CHANGED BROADWAY, “ says Hope Seratelli, Neve Shalom board member and fundraising.

The appeal of a Broadway musical revue is that Neve Shalom is giving local residents a valuable and unique Broadway experience without travelling into Manhattan Proceeds from THEY CHANGED BROADWAY benefit Youth and Elderly, Meals on Wheels, Save the World Committee, and the Edison-Metuchen-Colonia-Woodbridge and surrounding Middlesex County, NJ community at large.

THEY CHANGED BROADWAY is scheduled for 4PM, June 13th, 2010 at the Forum Theatre in Metuchen, New Jersey.

About Michael Colby

Michael Colby (http://www.michaelcolby.com/) is the librettist/lyricist of such musicals as CHARLOTTE SWEET (Drama Desk Award nomination), TALES OF TINSELTOWN, NORTH ATLANTIC (Show Business Award), SLAY IT WITH MUSIC, MRS. McTHING, THEY CHOSE ME!, and LUDLOW LADD. He was chief writer for the Drama Desk Award-winning New Amsterdam Theatre Company, and has been a frequent writer for The NY Festival of Song as well as the Theatre By the Blind. Among the personalities for whom Mr. Colby has written material are: Linda Lavin, Tony Randall, Tovah Feldshuh, Savion Glover, Dina Merrill, Susan Stroman, Michael Feinstein, Jack Gilford, Andrea Marcovicci, Kristin Chenoweth, Bruce Adler, Cliff Robertson, Lainie Kazan, Jane Powell, Eric Stoltz, Julie Wilson, Alison Fraser, Mary Cleere Haran, Stephanie Pope, Donna McKechnie, & Cicely Tyson.

Michael’s MEESTER AMERIKA, was acclaimed as “Best Score [of the New Jersey theatre season]” and “A superb celebration of Yiddish Theatre… Show music of the highest order,” by Peter Filichia, The Star-Ledger.
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

Forum Theatre Arts Center to Host June 13, 2010 Broadway Revue: “They Changed Broadway”

Metuchen, New Jersey – 02/16/2010 –The Forum Theater Arts Center, Central New Jersey’s Cultural Arts Center agrees to host the exclusive one-time benefit revue “They Changed Broadway.”

“This is a natural fit for Neve Shalom’s 13, 2010 performance of ‘They Changed Broadway’,” says Forum Producing Artistic Director Peter Loewy.

Mr. Loewy adds, “The Forum Theatre has been the Cultural Arts Center of Central New Jersey since 1928, when it was built as a theatre and vaudeville tryout house. At the height of its success, The Forum Theatre was a thriving regional theater, presenting hundreds of American and World Premieres with an emphasis on musical theatre. There is no better place to bring Broadway performers for THEY CHANGED BROADWAY.”

“We’re thrilled to have the show at the Forum Theatre,” says Hope Serratelli, Neve Shalom board of director, and fundraising manager, “and very excited to be able to offer a venue that has been the stage for Theodore Bikel, Robert Klein, and recently Jackie Mason for the Broadway talent involved in this benefit production.”

The broad appeal of musical film and theater is something that Hollywood and Broadway agree upon. And, the Jewish Contribution to the musical goes well beyond Jewish themes. “They Changed Broadway” will feature hand-picked songs from Broadway’s iconic musicals woven into a two-hour, one-night program featuring well-known performers. The appeal of such a fundraiser is that it gives local residents a valuable and unique Broadway experience without travelling into Manhattan.

THEY CHANGED BROADWAY is scheduled for 4PM, June 13th, 2010 at the Forum Theatre in Metuchen, New Jersey.

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

Acclaimed Broadway Librettist and Lyricist Writes Broadway Benefit Revue

Metuchen, New Jersey – 02/19/2010 –Michael Colby, acclaimed award-winning librettist, lyricist, and performer writes the continuity for Neve Shalom’s Broadway Benefit Revue, THEY CHANGED BROADWAY, scheduled for 4PM, June 13th, 2010.

“Congregation Neve Shalom is extremely lucky and proud to have Michael and his family as members of the synagogue and doubly blessed to have him participating so actively in the planned June 13 production of THEY CHANGED BROADWAY, “says Hope Serratelli, Neve Shalom board member, fundraising manager.

Mr. Colby adds, “This is really exciting. The American Musical is one of the world’s unique art forms and the Jewish Contribution to the American Musical beyond Yiddish Theater is staggering. This is the kind of revue that anyone who watches musical films and stage plays will enjoy… and it’s for a great cause.”

Non-profit organizations provide crucial services to the Middlesex County, New Jersey area residents and face stiff competition when asking for donations. Neve Shalom fund-raising activities benefit the Youth and Elderly, Meals on Wheels, Save the World Committee, and the Edison-Metuchen-Colonia-Woodbridge and surrounding Middlesex County, NJ community at large. The appeal of such a fundraising concept is that Neve Shalom is reaching beyond it’s 500-family membership, giving a valuable and unique Broadway experience open to everyone.

Neve Shalom plans to bring starring performers of film and Broadway to Metuchen, New Jersey for the June 13th 4PM revue and is in talks now with local theaters and Broadway performers.

About Michael Colby

Michael Colby (http://www.michaelcolby.com/) is the librettist/lyricist of such musicals as CHARLOTTE SWEET (Drama Desk Award nomination), TALES OF TINSELTOWN, NORTH ATLANTIC (Show Business Award), SLAY IT WITH MUSIC, MRS. McTHING, THEY CHOSE ME!, and LUDLOW LADD. He was chief writer for the Drama Desk Award-winning New Amsterdam Theatre Company, and has been a frequent writer for The NY Festival of Song as well as the Theatre By the Blind. Among the personalities for whom Mr. Colby has written material are: Linda Lavin, Tony Randall, Tovah Feldshuh, Savion Glover, Dina Merrill, Susan Stroman, Michael Feinstein, Jack Gilford, Andrea Marcovicci, Kristin Chenoweth, Bruce Adler, Cliff Robertson, Lainie Kazan, Jane Powell, Eric Stoltz, Julie Wilson, Alison Fraser, Mary Cleere Haran, Stephanie Pope, Donna McKechnie, & Cicely Tyson. Michael’s MEESTER AMERIKA, was acclaimed as “Best Score [of the New Jersey theatre season]” and “A superb celebration of Yiddish Theatre… Show music of the highest order,” by Peter Filichia, The Star-Ledger.

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

Synagogue Schedules Broadway Revue Benefit Afternoon of Tony Awards

Metuchen, New Jersey – 02/16/2010 - Congregation Neve Shalom, the leading Jewish Conservative Egalitarian synagogue in Middlesex County, New Jersey announces plans to bring Broadway starring performers to Metuchen, New Jersey for a June 13th, 2010 4PM benefit fundraiser, THEY CHANGED BROADWAY.

The revue offers something of unique value to an audience that reaches beyond its 500-family membership expanding its fund-raising activities that benefit Youth and Elderly, Meals on Wheels, Save the World Committee, and the Edison-Metuchen-Colonia-Woodbridge and surrounding Middlesex County, NJ community at large.

"Based on the sold-out benefit performance success of Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah that Neve Shalom performed several years ago, the idea of putting together a one-night show using professional actors and directors with a Jewish theme is very exciting," says Hope Serratelli, Board Member and Fundraising Chairperson.

Mrs. Serratelli adds, "The idea of a revue about the Jewish contributions to the Broadway musical is appealing to a wide audience. Many may know about the Yiddish Contribution in Broadway's early history, and of course iconic shows like Fiddler on the Roof, but not be aware of the more mainstream contribution Jewish writers have had on many of the most famous and beloved musicals, like West Side Story, Wicked, or Rent."

Fund-raising is difficult even in the best of economic times, and while there is mixed messages about the improvements in the economy, New Jersey is still a long way off from a sustained full recovery. Secular and non-secular non-profit organizations like Congregation Neve Shalom provide crucial services to the Middlesex County, New Jersey area residents and face stiff competition when asking for donations.

The appeal of such a fundraising concept is that Neve Shalom is giving the local residents a valuable and unique Broadway experience in Metuchen without having to travel into Manhattan.

Neve Shalom plans to bring starring performers of film and Broadway to Metuchen, New Jersey for a June 13th, 4PM performance.

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