Last year, Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway” was so popular that this year he’s bringing “101 Years of Broadway” to the RiverCenter’s Bill Heard Theatre.
“Basically, we have an all entirely new cast,” he said.
Of the 85-90 songs that will be presented, almost all are new songs, he said.
The show is perfect to introduce youngsters to Broadway, Berg said.
“I’d tell parents and grandparents that unless they get to Broadway all the time, this is perfect to let children see all the very famous actors from Broadway,” he said. “It’s a great way to bring young children to introduce them them to Broadway. There is such variety, such talent.”
The cast will do a medley of songs from the popular “The Phantom of the Opera,” because “the audience deserves that.”
This show follows the same concept as “100 Years of Broadway,” in which Broadway singers perform hits from Broadway musicals.
“It’s the same great quality, and another year.”
He said some cities have asked him back for 10 straight years. So he’s up to “109 Years of Broadway.”
For “101 Years of Broadway,” Berg will be doing some songs from “Wicked” and different songs from “Les Miserables.”
“There are also some great classics from ‘Camelot,’” he said. “There is so much incredible material. We’ll be doing something by Stephen Sondheim this year. Something from ‘A Little Night Music.’”
Berg, who plays piano, will again be touring with “101 Years of Broadway.”
His wife, Rita Harvey, however, will not.
“Our son, Lucas, started first grade,” he said. ”So she’s off the tour for now.”
Cast members are Broadway stars, having performed in some of the biggest shows.
“I let them recreate those numbers,” he said. “It’s important for the audience to hear these great artists recreate those tunes from the shows that made them famous. The stars have been in the cast of these shows.”
He picks songs from shows that “are important to the history of Broadway or are important now. I give the audience the sense of what’s happening on Broadway. I get to narrate the history of Broadway as I’m playing.”
The singers are accompanied not only by Berg, but by a four-piece band.
“We have a very big orchestral sound,” Berg said.
Berg says he loves coming to perform in Georgia.
“We’ve played every theater in Georgia, from Statesboro, Macon, Conyers. We’ve played everywhere. And everywhere, the quality and beauty of the theaters are wonderful. I thoroughly enjoy the people of Georgia. I’m excited to come back.”
Berg started playing piano when he was 8. He gave up practicing to play sports and then started playing again two years later.
“My mother found a piano teacher she though I would like, and she was right,” he said. “He was really wonderful, inspiring me to play piano. If he never came along ...”
So he took lessons and continued playing until he left for college at 18.
“I went to study at Binghamton University with Walter Ponce. He has since left Binghamton and gone to UCLA. He gave me a great background in classical music. Susan Peters taught me musical theater at Binghamton.
“You can have all the love and passion for music but unless you find a teacher that suits your needs ... it’s very individual.”
His first real teacher, Ponce, let him play baseball when he wanted, and then encouraged him when he came back to lessons.
“He told me years later that he never had anyone who enjoyed playing piano like I did. I always wanted to help tell a story with my music.”
