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| September 27, 2013 | eFestivals | Bringing the Copacabana to Ipswich, and Southampton |
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| Multi-million selling musical legend, Barry Manilow is bringing his stadium shows to Ipswich Town Football Club and Southampton's Ageas Bowl for just two nights only when the undisputed #1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all time, will bring his high-energy, hit-packed concert showcasing his unparalleled career. The confirmed stadium dates are as follows:
Fri 16th May Ipswich Town Football Club, Ipswich
Sat 24th May Ageas Bowl, Hampshire CCC
Tickets are on sale now, priced at £45, £75, and £85.00. Fans of one of the most in-demand acts in pop music will be hoping for their own favourite singalongs from more than 50 Top 40 hits including, 'Mandy', 'Can't Smile Without You' and 'the smash singalong hit 'Copacabana (at The Copa)'. Barry has had worldwide record sales exceeding 80 million and has been successful in virtually every area of entertainment, including performing, writing, composing, arranging, and producing. He's a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, and written and produced songs for hitmakers including Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick, and many more. This is a rare to chance to see the star who had been honored with a Grammy, two Emmys, a Tony Award, an Oscar nomination, and even Five Star ratings on Amazon for his top selling autobiography. |
| September 23, 2013 | Business Wire | Barry Manilow and CKE Restaurants CEO to be Honored at Dream Foundation’s 12th Annual Celebration of Dreams Gala: Celebrities and foundation friends gather for October 26th awards and benefit fundraiser at Bacara Resort and Spa |
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| Dream Foundation, the first and largest national wish-granting organization for adults and their families battling life-threatening illness, is pleased to announce its 2013 Celebration of Dreams Gala honorees, Barry Manilow as well as CKE Restaurants, Inc. and its CEO, Andy Puzder. Over his 50-year career, Mr. Manilow has inspired and helped millions through his music and philanthropic gestures. For the Dream Foundation, Mr. Manilow has provided memorable experiences for those in need whether that dream was a personal meeting or a phone call, attending a concert or receiving autographed memorabilia. "Mr. Manilow’s continued support and his dedication to Dream Foundation and others made him an easy choice for this year’s Humanitarian Award," said Dream Foundation Founder/President Thomas Rollerson. "Without the years of support of advocates like Barry, we simply would not have the resources needed to touch the lives of the families we serve. This honor is also special and personal to us because Barry’s own foundation, Manilow Fund for Health and Hope, helps people at the end of life by empowering them with the gift of music and was launched very close to the time we created Dream Foundation." Dream Foundation also will be honoring CKE Restaurants, Inc. and its CEO, Andy Puzder, with the 2013 Outstanding Corporate Partner Award. Mr. Puzder is a longtime friend of Dream Foundation and his personal and corporate commitment for more than 15 years has provided wishes for countless dreamers. In 2012, CKE, the parent company of the Carl's Jr.® and Hardee's® premium burger chains, selected Dream Foundation as a national beneficiary of its annual Stars for Heroes™ charity campaign. "From our inception, CKE Restaurants, Inc. has demonstrated compassion for our families struggling with the financial strain that is often part of the end-of-life journey," Rollerson said. "Many people don’t realize that more than 50 percent of the dreams we serve are for improved quality-of-life and basic-need items, such as a mobility scooter, hearing aid batteries, a utility bill payment or even a hearty meal. "CKE CEO Andy Puzder upholds the corporation’s early commitment to dreams with steadfast dedication and leadership," Rollerson said. "He regularly rolls up his own sleeves to provide personal contributions. Andy also connects us to Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s franchisees who continue to provide Stars for Heroes funding to make dreams come true. For this, we celebrate Andy, CKE Restaurants, Inc. and all the franchisees." On October 26, 2013, the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, Calif., will be transformed into a dreamlike world as celebrities and distinguished guests enjoy a night of heartwarming stories, live entertainment and innovative cuisine. The Celebration of Dreams Gala is imperative to Dream Foundation’s existence, generating nearly one-third of the foundation’s entire annual operating budget thereby enabling the fulfillment of thousands of final dreams. The foundation anticipates serving more than 2,500 final dreams this year. About Dream Foundation Founded in 1994, Dream Foundation is the first and largest national wish-granting organization for adults. With a mission to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families battling life-threatening illness, Dream Foundation serves more than 2,500 dreams each year and relies on a network of volunteers, sponsors and individual donors. Dream recipients are those individuals who have been given a year or less life expectancy and dreams range from the basic need items, like a working stove, to bedside reunions and meaningful experiences with children and loved ones. For more information on dreams or how to donate, visit www.dreamfoundation.org or call 805-564-2131. |
| September 20, 2013 | New York Post | "The Manilow of the hour" by Michael Riedel |
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| Fanilows, rejoice! Barry Manilow’s long-incubating musical "Harmony" is up and running in Atlanta and, judging from the reviews, it’s sure to hit Broadway next year. Manilow and co-writer Bruce Sussman (who wrote the lyrics to the durable "Copacabana") have been plugging away at "Harmony" for almost 20 years. The show is about the Comedian Harmonists, a hugely popular all-male singing group in Germany in the 1920s and ’30s. Their rise, though, coincided with that of the Nazis, and since their ensemble included several Jews, they were forced to disband when Hitler came to power. They were largely forgotten until a German filmmaker interviewed the last surviving members for a 1977 documentary. The movie led to a resurgence of interest in the group and, after Sussman saw it in 1992, inspired the musical. A friend who saw the musical in previews last week e-mailed me afterward: "What can I say? I loved it! Totally ‘verklempt’ at the end . . . and the audience went bonkers — and it was a mostly WASPy, wealthy Atlanta audience!" (For those who are like that audience, "verklempt" is a Yiddish word meaning "choked with emotion") The critics confirmed my friend’s verdict a few days later. "Though a little fine-tuning here is inevitable, this show feels Broadway-bound," wrote Atlanta INtown. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Manilow and Sussman have created a virtual 'Jersey Boys' for Jews. I mean that as a high compliment." The critic went on to praise the rousing opening and some "luminous" Manilow-style ballads. Manilow and Sussman are "over the moon" about the reception for their show, a friend says. The road to Atlanta was paved with hardship and tears. When the show premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse in 1997, the reviews were mixed. Manilow and Sussman went back to the piano to rewrite. They announced a Broadway opening in 2003, with a Philadelphia tryout. But the day the cast was to board the train for Philly, Manilow’s producer, Mark Schwartz, tearfully admitted he’d raised only a fraction of the $7 million production cost. The show was abruptly shut down. Manilow called me that day from a plane and said: "Other than the death of my mother, this is probably the most devastating day of my life." He blamed "all this insanity" on Schwartz’s "incompetence and dishonesty." For years, Manilow and Sussman were tied up in arbitration against Schwartz to reclaim the rights to their show. At one point, a friend of Schwartz’s cornered Manilow in an elevator and screamed obscenities at him. Manilow was so unnerved, he started attending arbitration hearings with a bodyguard. In the end, he and Sussman prevailed, and now "Harmony" is all theirs. |
| September 18, 2013 | Atlanta Intown Paper | "Theatre Review: 'Harmony' at Alliance Theatre" by Manning Harris |
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| Everything about the Alliance Theatre’s new musical "Harmony" is huge: the big name creators (Barry Manilow, music; Bruce Sussman, book and lyrics), the cast, the glorious set and costumes, the fine orchestra, the riveting true story it tells. "Harmony" will run only until October 6, and although a little fine-tuning here and there is inevitable, this show feels Broadway-bound, despite the gentle demurring from its creators. If you want to see it, I wouldn’t delay getting tickets. "Harmony" tells the story of the Comedian Harmonists, a German sextet who rose to international fame in the late 1920′s and early 1930′s. Unfortunately, their ascent coincided with the rise of the Nazis; and the Harmonists had Jewish and non-Jewish performers. This was unacceptable, and by 1934 the group was banned. What interested Mr. Manilow, as Bret Love reported in the program, was that "they were so huge…the Beatles of their generation—the first boy band. How did we not know about this group?" And they were also funny—real vaudevillians with astonishing versatility. If "Harmony" is a success, that "fame gap" will certainly be diminished. Mr. Sussman was quoted in the New York Times: "This is a show about the quest for harmony in what turned out to be the most discordant chapter in human history." It has been gestating with its creators for over 20 years. But a now famous phone call by both men to Susan Booth, Alliance Artistic Director, put an end to the planning and dreaming when she said: "Please tell me you’re calling about ‘Harmony!’" The show was soon underway in earnest, with Tony Speciale directing and music direction by Patrick Vaccariello. "Harmony" starts with a bang with great sound from its actor-singers and orchestra. Tobin Ost’s sets and costume design are superb. Whether it’s the Brandenburg Gate looming in the background or a bystander wearing a swastika, we never forget where we are—or when. Many of the actors are making their Alliance debuts, and they all have New York or national credits; they are solid professionals, quite young and attractive, and of course, very talented. Here they are: Will Blum, Liberty Cogen, Hannah Corneau (who plays Ruth, the Jewish wife of one of the Harmonists, fearless, radical—very unloved by the Nazis), Chris Dwan, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Greg Kamp, Shayne Kennon (who plays "Rabbi" Josef and also serves as a narrator), Leigh Ann Larkin, Chad Lindsey, Lindsay Moore, Brandon O’Dell (who plays Albert Einstein, among others), Patrick O’Neill, Charles Osborne, Kim Sava, Dave Schoonover, Lauren Elaine Taylor, Will Taylor, Douglas Williams (terrific bass voice), and Tony Yazbeck. Ms. Taylor plays a young Marlene Dietrich in a sort of comic way, which I don’t quite get: Marlene Dietrich was a glamorous provocateur almost from day one. As striking and compelling as "Harmony" is, undoubtedly it will undergo some tinkering, and this is usual in big-time show business. After all, shows used to open in New Haven, then Boston or Philadelphia, and finally New York. For tickets and information, visit alliancetheatre.com. |
| September 18, 2013 | Access Atlanta | "Manilow and Sussman are melodic maestros with 'Harmony'" by Melissa Ruggieri |
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| The biggest gripe about Broadway musicals is that they no longer contain memorable songs. Earlier this year, I had the honor of interviewing the great Richard Sherman, who, with his now-deceased brother Robert, wrote hundreds of songs for Disney films and theatrical productions – and knows a thing or two about crafting something remarkably catchy ("A Spoonful of Sugar," anyone?). During our interview, Sherman lamented the crucial ingredient missing in most theatrical music today. "Melody, melody, melody. Where did melody go?" he asked plaintively. I think the answer might be: Into Barry Manilow’s head. It’s been three days since I absorbed "Harmony: A New Musical," the stunning, poignant production by Manilow (who wrote the music) and his brilliant co-captain Bruce Sussman (who handled the book and lyrics) about the true story of 1920s German singing group, the Comedian Harmonists. And at least a trio of songs is still lodged in my brain. On Monday, I woke up with the strains of "Harmony," the centerpiece of the musical with its shifting rhythm patterns, cheeky lyrics and a crescendo worthy of the best Broadway show tunes, buzzing in my head. Tuesday morning brought the powerful "This is Our Time," a song that shimmers with the gloss of a movie soundtrack ballad and Sussman’s sweet lyrics, then dovetails into a defiant proclamation that will make you want to leap onto a table and thrust a fist skyward. By Tuesday afternoon, my brain was fully in "Harmony" mode as I kept mentally repeating the chorus of "Every Single Day," the closest to a classic Manilow song among the score. It’s a stunning ballad – poignant, beautiful and with a cadence that promises a massive payoff... and delivers. There are nearly 20 musical numbers in the adeptly constructed show, and Manilow and Sussman somehow perfectly capture the sounds of the era (1920s Germany), toss in a few dollops of humor (any Jewish son will appreciate "Your Son is Becoming a Singer") and provoke authentic emotion with their ambitious score. Of course, this excellent cast is to be commended as well. Hannah Corneau (Ruth) and Leigh Ann Larkin (Mary) are devastating with their bracingly stark delivery of "Where You Go," a tender declaration of faithfulness. And the men who portray the Comedian Harmonists... well, they handle their musical tasks flawlessly. The harmonic precision displayed by Will Blum (Lesh Leshnikoff), Chris Dwan (Erich Collin), Shayne Kennon ("Rabbi" Josef Roman Cykowski), Will Taylor (Chopin Bootz), Tony Yazbeck (Harry Frommerman) and astoundingly good baritone Douglas Williams (Bobby Biberti) is sublime throughout the show; they’re equally as angelic following the orchestral swoops of the bittersweet closing number, "Stars in the Night." That song, Manilow told me in a sit down last month at the Alliance Theatre with Sussman, was the first title Sussman gave him when they started to write the musical. "I wrote the music to the song based on the title. When I finished it, I was crying because I knew what [Bruce] was going to do. The melody was very emotional. It moved me before he wrote a word," Manilow said. At Sunday’s official opening, Manilow and Sussman took the stage with the cast during the curtain call – a rare and refreshing act of accessibility – and addressed the audience. "You people that come from Atlanta, you must be so proud to have this theater," Manilow said. "It’s all about the work, all about the art." He also praised director Tony Speciale and the cast, adding, "This is the most talented group of people we’ve ever worked with." True, perhaps. But talent shines even brighter when given such masterful material. "Harmony: A New Musical": 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 2:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 6. (No 7:30 p.m. performance Oct. 6.) $30-$79. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-5000, http://alliancetheatre.org. |
| September 18, 2013 | Fenuxe | "'Harmony' Brings Broadway To Peachtree" by D. David Kinney |
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| Harmony, a new show by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, premiered at the Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff on Sunday. It’s about the Comedian Harmonists, the first world famous boy band. They performed from 1928 until 1934 when their music collided with Hitler and the Third Reich. I’ll be honest... I didn’t know what to expect before the curtain went up. I had googled the show before I went, read through press releases, and researched the Comedian Harmonists, but I didn’t know what a Barry Manilow musical would be like. How would soft-rock translate to a Broadway-style musical? I immediately knew I was in for a musical treat as the orchestra began tuning their instruments before the show. There was nothing soft-rock or pop going on tonight. This was classic Broadway. Manilow explained the musical change in an interview with the New York Times: "I’ve been kind of imprisoned in the pop music world, very happily, but there are these rules that you need to adhere to in pop music. There is a certain brick wall that you hit. But this gave me the opportunity to go way, way beyond what I’ve been doing for 30 years." And did Barry Manilow deliver? I think he hit the ball clear out of ballpark. Several songs are still stuck in my head and I’ve been belting out "Where You Go" in the shower for the past three days. So, what about the play overall? I was in tears by the end of the show. Its message is incredibly powerful, the direction was engaging, and the choreography efficiently conveyed the strong emotions radiating from the show’s lyrics and score. However, I do think the show took a little too long to jump into the real meat and potatoes of the story. But once the ball gets rolling in this production there is absolutely no stopping it. The show also features talented members of our gay community. I would like to specifically point out Douglas Williams, who plays Bobby Biberti. Williams sings bass in the Comedian Harmonists and he’s an absolute theatre dreamboat on stage. His voice is like butter and he’s one tall drink of water. You definitely don’t want to miss the scene where he and the other 5 Comedian Harmonists do a musical number in their underwear. Although there are no gay characters in the show there are several references to homosexuality. In fact, the song "Your Son Is Becoming A Singer!" so closely parallels the coming out process that I forgot midway through the song that the character Erich was coming out as a singer and not coming out as gay. Conclusion? GO SEE THIS SHOW! Broadway has left the great white way and is sitting pretty on Peachtree. |
| September 17, 2013 | Atlanta Journal-Constitution | "Theater review: Manilow’s 'Harmony' is a glorious work of art" by Wendell Brock |
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| They were a boy band who sang like angels and wrestled with demons. They struggled with each other, with their women, with the law. They even had trouble coming up with the right name to describe their gossamer sound. Success proved elusive at first, then overwhelming - and tragic. As a charismatic member of the pop group in question narrates its early history, introducing the singers one by one and describing how they came together, you may be reminded of a certain Broadway musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. With "Harmony: A New Musical" - which charts the rise and fall of an all-male ensemble in the dark days of Nazi Germany — Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman have created a virtual "Jersey Boys" for Jews. I mean that as a high compliment. A labor of love whose two-decade incubation period includes a short-lived run at California’s La Jolla Playhouse (1997) and a promised Broadway engagement that never transpired (2004), this biography of the nearly forgotten Comedian Harmonists is getting a glorious third chance at the Alliance Theatre. Though I admit being slightly disconcerted that the structure and subject matter so mirrored the foolproof "Jersey Boys" (which won the 2006 Tony Award for best musical), my reservations were ultimately transformed by Manilow’s virtuosic score; Sussman’s briskly paced book and engaging lyrics; and JoAnn M. Hunter’s dynamite choreography. (For the record, "Harmony" — impeccably directed here by Tony Speciale — is not a jukebox musical, but a wholly original work inspired by the intricate harmonies and syncopated rhythms of Berlin’s vaudeville heyday of the ’20s and ’30s.) Indeed, the script does feel a little formulaic at first, a little too heavy on safe laughs and one-liners. And while it would be impossible to render full portraits of all six Comedian Harmonists in an evening-long work, the roles of the foppish, chain-smoking Lesh (Will Blum), the magnificent baritone Bobby (Douglas Williams) and the sturdy Harry (Tony Yazbeck) feel a bit thin. Instead, the writers focus on the characters known as the Rabbi (Shayne Kennon) and Chopin (Will Taylor), who marry outside their faiths respectively to Mary (Leigh Ann Larkin) and Ruth (Hannah Corneau). Erich (Chris Dwan), the sixth member of the group, harbors dangerous secrets and influential friends, including Albert Einstein and composer Richard Strauss, who make delightful cameos played by Brandon O’Dell. After some rousing opening numbers ("Overture," "Harmony"), Mary’s luminous "And What Do You See?" and a couple of comedic bonbons ("Your Son Is Becoming a Singer!"; "How Can I Serve You, Madame?"), the double wedding scene is a thing of somber joy, for you can feel the menace of Hitler hovering in the shadows. (This is probably a fine time to say that Tobin Ost’s sets and costumes, Jeff Croiter’s lighting and Darrel Maloney’s projections are absolutely gorgeous.) While the 19-member cast is uniformly good, some performances deserve singling out. Kennon, in particular, is heartbreaking. Williams is possessed of a one-of-a-kind instrument, and you can hear it every time he opens his mouth to speak or sing. As the female leads, Larkin and Corneau are dazzling. In the end, "Harmony" is a nearly flawless work of art that almost manages to cloak the harrowing underside of history in a bubble of elegance, sophistication and wit. At the end of the night, the waltz fades away, but the stars never dim. Can this obscure story find success in the realm of commercial theater? I believe so. |
| September 16, 2013 | Broadway World | Watch Highlights from HARMONY - A NEW MUSICAL at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre! |
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| ALLIANCE THEATRE presents HARMONY - A NEW MUSICAL, with music by Barry Manilow and book & lyrics by Bruce Sussman, now playing through October 6, 2013. CLICK HERE to watch highlights from the show! Drama Desk Award nominee Tony Speciale (Classic Stage Company: Unnatural Acts, A Midsummer Night's Dream) will direct HARMONY and is supported by a talented creative team including Set & Costume Designer Tobin Ost (Jekyll & Hyde Revival, Newsies The Musical), Projection Designer Darrel Maloney (American Idiot), LX Designer Jeff Croiter (Jekyll & Hyde Revival, The Anarchist), winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Lighting Design of a Play for his work on Peter and the Starcatcher, Choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter (On a Clear Day You Can See Forever), Music Director Patrick Vaccariello (Annie Revival, Come Fly Away), Assistant Music Director John O'Neill, and Sound Designer John Shivers, winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Musical for his work on the Tony Award winning musical Kinky Boots. The character of Rabbi, who acts as narrator for the story, will be played by Shayne Kennon. Kennon's credits include the European tour of Madagascar, and regional productions of The Rocky Horror Show, The Full Monty and Rent. Also joining the cast in principal roles - Tony Yazbeck (Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Gypsy) as Harry; Douglas Williams as Bobby; Chris Dwan (Off-Broadway: The Old Boy, Peter & I) as Erich; Will Taylor (A Chorus Line) as Chopin; Will Blum (The Book of Mormon) as Lesh; Leigh Ann Larkin (A Little Night Music, Gypsy) as Mary; and Hannah Corneau as Ruth. The ensemble for HARMONY consists of eleven actors who must play over thirty roles including historical figures like Marlene Dietrich, Albert Einstein, and Richard Strauss - all of whom the Comedian Harmonists really knew. Members of the ensemble include Dave Schoonover, Patrick O'Neill, Greg Kamp, Charles Osborne, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Chad Lindsey, Brandon O'Dell, Lauren Elaine Taylor, Kim Sava, Lindsay Moore, and Liberty Cogen. Tickets start at $30 and are available at The Woodruff Arts Center Box Office in person or by calling 404-733-5000. Tickets are also available online at www.alliancetheatre.org/harmony. |
| September 16, 2013 | Neighbor Newspapers | "Alliance Theatre's 'Harmony' dazzles" by Everett Catts |
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| ["Harmony – A New Musical"] at the Alliance Theatre in Midtown has to rank with any top Broadway show. From start to finish Sunday night, the actors in the collaboration between legendary musician Barry Manilow, his longtime writing partner, Bruce Sussman, who did the script and lyrics, and director Tony Speciale was amazing. It was opening night but the musical’s run actually started Sept. 6 and ends Oct. 6. 'Harmony' is the story of the Comedian Harmonists, a singing group of six men --- both Jews and gentiles - in Germany who sold millions of records and starred in 12 films but fizzled out due to the Nazis’ rise to power before World War II. It was a tale Manilow wanted to tell once he found out about it in the 1990s from Sussman, who saw a documentary on the group. At that time he discovered one member of the Harmonists, "Rabbi" Josef Roman Cykowski, was still alive and living in the same Los Angeles suburb Manilow lived in. He tracked him down, met with him and got the full story. Rabbi, even at age 87, sung in the choir at Temple Isaiah in Palm Springs, Calif. He was the oldest cantor in America then, Manilow said. Rabbi died 11 years later at 98. His wife Mary died in 2004, also at 98. "Harmony" was launched in 1997 in the La Jolla Playhouse in Southern California. At the Alliance, Sussman and Manilow sat in the back of the theatre, four rows behind my wife Maggie and me, and were introduced by Artistic Director Susan V. Booth before the show. "These two men want to remain anonymous right now but we can’t let them because they’re icons," she said, drawing a standing ovation after the pair stood during the acknowledgement. The musical opens in New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1933, during the Great Depression. Led by Harry Frommerman (played by Tony Yazbeck), the Harmonists started performing together in Berlin in 1927, two years before the Great Depression started. Sept. 12, Harry placed an ad in the Berlin Observer seeking singers and a composer. The musical had plenty of comedy with the composer, Erwin "Chopin" Bootz (Will Taylor), who said he previously played in a whorehouse, and a surgeon, Erich Collin (Chris Dwan), who said he also sings because he "can’t stand the sight of blood." It also had plenty of harmony, as the group seemed to hit every octave possible and also was nearly flawless in its choreography. The group rehearsed at a subway station where trains no longer ran. In one scene Rabbi (Shayne Kennon) said to then-girlfriend Mary (Leigh Ann Larkin), "You’re beautiful, you’re brilliant and you listen to the lyrics." After one show, Maestro Richard Strauss, an influential promoter, meets the Comedian Harmonists backstage following one of their performances and offers them a job at the prestigious Barbarina Club in Berlin. While comedy was a constant in "Harmony," there were plenty of serious moments. In one scene, when Rabbi proposes to Mary, she said she didn’t think they could survive the Nazis’ attack on the Jews, which was growing. She will convert to Judaism if they get married. "God help us," she said when she accepts his proposal. At the end of "Every Single Day," a solo by Rabbi in which he ponders his present and future, he drew a resounding applause from the audience. Before the group’s first Barbarina Club performance, a worker said someone broke into the office and stole their tuxedos and the petty cash, so they had to wear the waiters’ uniforms instead and more comedy ensued. The performers then toured Europe and America, gaining popularity. Act 2 begins with the group returning to Berlin as international stars. But with the Nazis’ strength increasing, it struggled with the idea of splitting up, with the Jews going one way, likely out of the country, and the gentiles another. The group was originally exempt from the Nuremberg Laws, which, instituted in September 1935, placed strict limits on what Jews could and could not do. But just two months later, they were forced to comply with the laws and had their final performance, in Munich. Chopin and Rabbi were the last living members of the group. The musical ends with Rabbi, at age 87 in 1987, reminiscing on the old days. "Oh what I wouldn’t give for one more night with [the group]," he said. [Afterward,] Manilow and Sussman, Speciale, Booth and Stage Director Lora K. Powell joined the cast onstage. "What a great experience this has been," Manilow said, adding the Alliance is a gem for the city. "You people who are from here have to be proud." |
| September 15, 2013 | Broadway World | "All Eyes on 'Harmony' in Atlanta: Richard Jay-Alexander Talks to Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman on the Eve of Opening Night" by Richard Jay-Alexander |
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| Any worthy partnership, in order to succeed, must be able to "endure." Whether it's a friendship, lovers, business associates or, in an even more complicated equation, authors of a musical. Especially a new musical. Many famous partnerships with plenty of ups & downs would include Rodgers & Hart, Rodgers & Hammerstein, George & Ira Gershwin, Boublil & Schonberg, Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice and too many others to mention. But what unifies all those that endured the turbulence, is their passion and desire to tell a story. And HARMONY, written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman fits that description to a T. They were the first sensational boy band: six talented young men who came together in 1920s Germany and took the world by storm with their signature blend of sophisticated close harmonies and uproarious stage antics. The Comedian Harmonists sold millions of records, starred in a dozen films and packed the houses of the most prestigious concert halls around the globe until the world they knew forever changed. Some of them were Jewish, some were not. Tonight, as the curtain rises at the (770 seat) ALLIANCE THEATRE, in Atlanta, this will be the center of the universe for Barry and Bruce. This musical is, and has been, their baby for a long time, and this is the moment that they've both been waiting for. In the cast are Shayne Kennon as the narrator Rabbi, and as The Comedian Harmonists are: Tony Yazbeck as Harry; Douglas Williams as Bobby; Chris Dwan as Erich; Will Taylor as Chopin; Will Blum as Lesh; Leigh Ann Larkin as Mary; and Hannah Corneau as Ruth. I reached out to Barry and Bruce the other day, because I wanted to find out how they were feeling about things and about the show...and just to wish them 'good luck'. I think I could actually "hear" their collective hearts beating, as I asked questions and they would sometimes finish each other's sentences. Both Manilow and Sussman have been on the scene during the rehearsal process and they have much praise for Director Tony Speciale, who has been known for new thinking and turning material on its ear. He also seems a 'perfect fit' as he directed another tale of injustice and persecution when he conceived and directed UNNATURAL ACTS: HARVARD'S SECRET COURT OF 1920, which was another story of persecution - in that case, homosexual. But, Barry and Bruce bring gravitas to this material and for HARMONY have re-worked or re-written here to accommodate the specifics of the cast, for their particular skills and story-telling abilities. Barry has also contributed new music and they are both very proud of the musicalization of a scene that takes place on a train. HARMONY offers plenty of laughs and the preview audiences comply, but they also pay homage and sit in total silence for the heartbreak of the story at the core of this powerful musical. In addition, both men were quick to add that, in a time where standing ovations no longer seem to mean so much, that when they witness the entire Atlanta audience getting up and cheering, even before the final curtain has hit the floor, that "chills" happen to each of them and the tears of joy flow freely. They have been "pinching" themselves, but keep both feet on the ground at all times. It was a beautiful thing to hear. The calls have already started coming in from potential Broadway producers, but, for right now, they are keeping focus. It would seem that any smart producer would be booking their flights now, to see it in Atlanta, before it takes a hiatus and continues on to the Ahmanson, in Los Angeles. It's not everyday that Barry Manilow writes a score for a musical. Barry has also been performing one of the musical's anthems, 'Every Single Day' in his concerts for quite some time. He sets up the story, and then performs the song to cheers from the audience. That song could be described as the perfect 'antithesis' of a character's regrets in the song, 'The Road You Didn't Take' from Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's FOLLIES. The authors are enormously proud of this piece and when they speak, it shows through in every word, reminding me of the recent PBS special, BROADWAY MUSICALS: A JEWISH LEGACY, which pretty much proved that if there were no Jews, there would be no Broadway. And, in this case, both authors show the pride and love of both their upbringing and their love of Broadway. The chat was spirited, fun, nervous, excited and, if you know either Barry Manilow or Bruce Sussman (or both) you want it to be a BIG HIT! I asked them, "What are you gonna wear on Sunday Night?" (I couldn't help myself). Barry answered, "Oh, I don't know ... Maybe a dress cut down to there!" How can you not love this man? I finally asked, "Is there anything you want to tell the BroadwayWorld.com readers, if they are planning to come see the show?" And they BOTH answered (in perfect harmony), "BRING KLEENEX!" BREAK LEGS, BOYS! What a great way to start (the Jewish) New Year! ALLIANCE THEATRE presents HARMONY - A NEW MUSICAL, with music by Barry Manilow and book & lyrics by Bruce Sussman, now playing through October 6, 2013. Drama Desk Award nominee Tony Speciale (Classic Stage Company: Unnatural Acts, A Midsummer Night's Dream) directs HARMONY and is supported by a talented creative team including Set & Costume Designer Tobin Ost (Jekyll & Hyde Revival, Newsies The Musical), Projection Designer Darrel Maloney (American Idiot), LX Designer Jeff Croiter (Jekyll & Hyde Revival, The Anarchist), winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Lighting Design of a Play for his work on Peter and the Starcatcher, Choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter (On a Clear Day You Can See Forever), Music Director Patrick Vaccariello (Annie Revival, Come Fly Away), Assistant Music Director John O'Neill, and Sound Designer John Shivers, winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Musical for his work on the Tony Award winning musical Kinky Boots. The ensemble for HARMONY consists of eleven actors who must play over thirty roles including historical figures like Marlene Dietrich, Albert Einstein, and Richard Strauss - all of whom the Comedian Harmonists really knew. Members of the ensemble include Dave Schoonover, Patrick O'Neill, Greg Kamp, Charles Osborne, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Chad Lindsey, Brandon O'Dell, Lauren Elaine Taylor, Kim Sava, Lindsay Moore, and Liberty Cogen. Tickets start at $30 and are available at The Woodruff Arts Center Box Office in person or by calling 404-733-5000. Tickets are also available online at www.alliancetheatre.org/harmony. |
| September 12, 2013 | Broadway World | "Barry Manilow & Team Talk New Musical HARMONY" by Pat Cerasaro |
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Internationally adored pop star Barry Manilow joins with bookwriter and lyricist Bruce Sussman as well as director Tony Speciale to discuss the new musical HARMONY and share a look behind the scenes of the show, now playing an out of town tryout at the ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta, Georgia.| "A lot of people have never heard of them, and, as a musician, I thought it was really important to remind the public or to introduce the public to these talented men," Manilow reveals of his inspiration to musicalize this particular story. "And, as a Jew, I thought it was even more important to remind people of what happened," Manilow adds. "The most stunning part of this whole story is these six guys were the first vocal group to do what we all love today - and, they were tremendously popular," Manilow says. The official synopsis of HARMONY is as follows: "HARMONY tells the compelling story of the Comedian Harmonists. They were the first sensational boy band: six talented young men who came together in 1920s Germany and took the world by storm with their signature blend of sophisticated close harmonies and uproarious stage antics. The Comedian Harmonists sold millions of records, starred in a dozen films and packed the houses of the most prestigious concert halls around the globe until the world they knew forever changed. Their amazing story inspirEd Barry and Bruce to create a spectacular new musical with an original score that celebrates this extraordinary group of friends and ensures their quest for true harmony in the most discordant chapter of human history will never be forgotten." HARMONY opens September 6 at the ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta. A second production at the Ahmanson Theatre in California is planned for March 2014, as well. |  |
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| September 12, 2013 | Gwinnett Daily Post | Manilow's 'Harmony' comes to Atlanta |
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| Fanilows, if you can’t get enough of Barry Manilow, there is a musical for you. Now through Oct. 6, the Alliance Theatre presents Manilow’s and Bruce Sussman’s production, "Harmony: A New Musical." The story follows the Comedian Harmonists, six young men who came together in 1920s Germany to create the first boy band of sorts. Beside singing, the men were entertaining and funny for its crowds. They sold millions of records, starred in a dozen films and packed out venues. When the 1930s hit, things changed. The group was living in Germany and some of its members were Jewish, which forced Comedian Harmonists out of the spotlight. The show is not recommended for children under the age of 11. Tickets range from $30 to $72. For more information, visit alliancetheatre.org. |
| September 11, 2013 | Playbill.com | "Barry Manilow's Harmony, With Tony Yazbeck, Will Blum and Leigh Ann Larkin, Plays Atlanta" by Matthew Blank |
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| Harmony – A New Musical, a co-production between Atlanta's Tony-winning Alliance Theatre and Center Theatre Group that features music by Barry Manilow and book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman, begins performances Sept. 6 at the Alliance. Directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Tony Speciale (Classic Stage Company's Unnatural Acts, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), performances continue through Oct. 6. "Harmony is about a group of young men who came together during a terrifying time in history to create something exquisite," said director Speciale in an earlier statement. "Their heartbreaking and untold story was the impetus for Barry and Bruce to write Harmony, and it's what compelled me to work on this important project. Together the authors have woven an intricate and epic piece of music theatre about memory, collaboration, hope, brotherhood, survival and redemption. Harmony is a Celebration of these six brilliant men and an inspiring reminder of the human capacity to make great art, even in our darkest hours." Shayne Kennon plays Roman "Rabbi" Cykowski, who was the only surviving member of The Comedian Harmonists when Manilow and Sussman began working on the project. He died in 1998. His memories, plus available historical information, provide the basis for the musical. Joining Kennon, whose character also acts as the narrator for the story, are Tony Yazbeck (Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Gypsy) as Harry, Douglas Williams as Bobby, Chris Dwan (Off-Broadway's The Old Boy, Peter & I) as Erich, Will Taylor (A Chorus Line) as Chopin, Will Blum (The Book of Mormon) as Lesh, Leigh Ann Larkin (A Little Night Music, Gypsy) as Mary and Hannah Corneau as Ruth. The ensemble for Harmony consists of 11 actors who play over 30 roles, including historical figures like Marlene Dietrich, Albert Einstein and Richard Strauss. They are Dave Schoonover, Patrick O’Neill, Greg Kamp, Charles Osborne, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Chad Lindsey, Brandon O’Dell, Lauren Elaine Taylor, Kim Sava, Lindsay Moore and Liberty Cogen. "We are both thrilled by the stunningly talented cast and design team who will be joining us for this production of Harmony," said creators Manilow and Sussman in a statement. "Given Tony Speciale's fresh and blazingly theatrical vision for the piece, we now have every reason to believe this will be the Harmony we've always hoped to see." Harmony, according to the Alliance, "tells the true story of The Comedian Harmonists, a close harmony ensemble of six young men in 1930s Germany, who took the world by storm until their religious composition – a mixture of Jews and Gentiles – put them on a collision course with history." Other members of the creative team include set and costume designer Tobin Ost, projection designer Darrel Maloney, LX designer Jeff Croiter, choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter, music director Patrick Vaccariello, assistant music director John O'Neill, orchestrator Doug Walter, sound designer John Shivers and copyist Howard Begun. For more information and tickets, visit call (404) 733-5000 or visit AllianceTheatre.org/Harmony. |
| September 6, 2013 | The GA Voice | "Interview: Barry Manilow's 'Harmony': Pop legend speaks out on new musical at the Alliance Theatre" by Jim Farmer |
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| He writes the songs that make the whole world sing. And he’s the voice behind them as well: "Mandy," "Copacabana" and dozens more. Now Barry Manilow is collaborating with the Alliance Theatre for the company’s 2013-2014 season opener, "Harmony – A New Musical," taking the stage Sept. 6 through Oct. 6. "Harmony" is the true story of what could be the first boy band extraordinaire: The Comedian Harmonists, composed of six young men in Germany in the 1920s. They sold millions of records and starred in films. But three members were Jewish and as anti-Semitism grew, the group fell apart. Nazis eventually disbanded them. Manilow is surprised that the band is relatively obscure to today’s audiences. "They were huge in Europe, all over the place, but we didn’t know about them," he says. "They were the Manhattan Transfer (of their age). They knocked us out." He compares their humor to that of the Marx Brothers. The fine line in "Harmony" is creating a musical with a great score (almost 20 songs in all) but with a darker subject -- and not making it overly morose. Manilow is quick to point out that this isn’t a Holocaust musical. "It ends in 1935," he says. While Manilow is handling the music for the production, his longtime writing partner Bruce Sussman is responsible for the book and lyrics. The Atlanta gig is directed by Broadway veteran Tony Speciale. Manilow and Sussman were in town recently for rehearsals and are pleased with what they are seeing. "It is going great," Sussman says. "It’s been thrilling; it is going to be a spectacular show." Sussman read an article about the Comedian Harmonists and soon after saw the documentary about them. He knew he had a project. The musical was first produced back in 1997 at the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, Calif. The upcoming Atlanta show is the first staging since, although there have been attempts to do it elsewhere. When Sussman and Manilow were looking around for a regional theater to re-stage it, people kept on mentioning the Alliance. They called and found a welcoming home. "Harmony" has been tightened since the 1997 production. The first act is much shorter, Sussman says. He refers to it as a new vision. Both men feel "Harmony" is especially relevant for LGBT audiences. "Who wouldn’t relate to six friends in trouble creating beautiful music in a terrible time?" Manilow says. Sussman believes "any group in the shadows or that have been in the shadows" can empathize with the characters. During the course of the musical is the rise of national socialism and the tracking down of gays and lesbians, he says. After the Atlanta engagement, the musical will travel to Los Angeles. Beyond that, where it goes is anyone’s guess, although Sussman and Manilow certainly would not be opposed to taking it elsewhere. For now, though, "our blinders are on; we’re only thinking of this production," says Sussman. Although they love the pop songs that made Manilow popular, the two realize that doing a stage musical takes a good five years to produce. Previously, the two worked on a stage version of "Copacabana" together, as well as a few films. The secret to a 41-year working relationship, both men feel, is knowing how to collaborate — knowing that it’s okay sometimes to make a fool out of yourself and try new things until it all clicks. MORE INFORMATION: "Harmony – A New Musical"; Sept. 6 – Oct. 6; Alliance Theatre; www.alliancetheatre.org |
| September 6, 2013 | Playbill.com | "Barry Manilow's Harmony Musical, With Tony Yazbeck, Will Blum, Leigh Ann Larkin and More, Begins Sept. 6 at the Alliance" by Michael Gioia |
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| Harmony – A New Musical, a co-production between Atlanta's Tony-winning Alliance Theatre and Center Theatre Group that features music by Barry Manilow and book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman, begins performances Sept. 6 at the Alliance. Directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Tony Speciale (Classic Stage Company's Unnatural Acts, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), performances continue through Oct. 6. "Harmony is about a group of young men who came together during a terrifying time in history to create something exquisite," said director Speciale in an earlier statement. "Their heartbreaking and untold story was the impetus for Barry and Bruce to write Harmony, and it's what compelled me to work on this important project. Together the authors have woven an intricate and epic piece of music theatre about memory, collaboration, hope, brotherhood, survival and redemption. Harmony is a celebration of these six brilliant men and an inspiring reminder of the human capacity to make great art, even in our darkest hours." Shayne Kennon plays Roman "Rabbi" Cykowski, who was the only surviving member of The Comedian Harmonists when Manilow and Sussman began working on the project. He died in 1998. His memories, plus available historical information, provide the basis for the musical. Joining Kennon, whose character also acts as the narrator for the story, are Tony Yazbeck (Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Gypsy) as Harry, Douglas Williams as Bobby, Chris Dwan (Off-Broadway's The Old Boy, Peter & I) as Erich, Will Taylor (A Chorus Line) as Chopin, Will Blum (The Book of Mormon) as Lesh, Leigh Ann Larkin (A Little Night Music, Gypsy) as Mary and Hannah Corneau as Ruth. The ensemble for Harmony consists of 11 actors who play over 30 roles, including historical figures like Marlene Dietrich, Albert Einstein and Richard Strauss. They are Dave Schoonover, Patrick O’Neill, Greg Kamp, Charles Osborne, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Chad Lindsey, Brandon O’Dell, Lauren Elaine Taylor, Kim Sava, Lindsay Moore and Liberty Cogen. "We are both thrilled by the stunningly talented cast and design team who will be joining us for this production of Harmony," said creators Manilow and Sussman in a statement. "Given Tony Speciale's fresh and blazingly theatrical vision for the piece, we now have every reason to believe this will be the Harmony we've always hoped to see." Harmony, according to the Alliance, "tells the true story of The Comedian Harmonists, a close harmony ensemble of six young men in 1930s Germany, who took the world by storm until their religious composition – a mixture of Jews and Gentiles – put them on a collision course with history." Other members of the creative team include set and costume designer Tobin Ost, projection designer Darrel Maloney, LX designer Jeff Croiter, choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter, music director Patrick Vaccariello, assistant music director John O'Neill, orchestrator Doug Walter, sound designer John Shivers and copyist Howard Begun. For more information and tickets, visit call (404) 733-5000 or visit AllianceTheatre.org/Harmony. |
| September 5, 2013 | Vintage Vinyl News | Barry Manilow to Receive Dream Foundation Founder's Humanitarian Award |
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| Barry Manilow has been selected to receive the 2013 Founder's Humanitarian Award from the Dream Foundation. The Dream Foundation is the first and largest national wish-granting organization dedicated to adults and their families facing life-threatening illness. Manilow has worked with the foundation a number of times in the past to grant "final dreams" of the organization's clients, including meetings, phone calls, concerts and memorabilia. According to the Foundation, "Mr. Manilow has inspired and helped millions through his music and gracious philanthropic gestures. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Manilow arranged that for every US dollar donated by his fans to the American Red Cross, he would personally and through the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope match the donation, tripling the original amount. In less than 48 hours, the fund donated $150,000. In 2011, Manilow visited Joplin, Missouri six months after a tornado swept through the city destroying one-third of it and donated $300,000 to its only high school to restore the musical program and instruments that were lost. These are just two examples of Mr. Manilow’s desire to help those in need." Dream Foundation Founder/President, Thomas Rollerson said "Without the years of support of advocates like Barry, we simply would have not the resources needed to touch the lives of the families we serve. Barry's philanthropic efforts with Dream Foundation and beyond are testament to his compassionate heart and desire to make a difference. He clearly leads by example, embodying a message of hope and determination to make a lasting impact in the lives of others." |
| September 5, 2013 | The Journalist | "Barry Manilow to be honored as a Dream Foundation humanitarian" by Randy Gener |
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| Dream Foundation will honor Barry Manilow with a humanitarian award. The largest national wish-granting US organization dedicated to adults and their families facing life-threatening illness, Dream Foundation will hold their annual gala on October 26. It is a very posh event at which Manilow will be bestowed their 2013 Celebration of Dreams Gala Founder’s Humanitarian Award (the official name of the award). Manilow is being recognized for the inspiration of his music and his philanthropic gestures. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Manilow arranged that for every US dollar donated by his fans to the American Red Cross, he would personally and through the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope match the donation, tripling the original amount. In less than 48 hours, the fund donated $150,000. In 2011, Manilow visited Joplin, Missouri, six months after a tornado swept through the city destroying one-third of it and donated $300,000 to its only high school to restore the musical program and instruments that were lost. Dream Foundation has also benefited directly from Manilow’s largesse. Whether the dream constituted meeting him, receiving a phone call from him, attending a concert or getting autographed memorabilia, Manilow "was kind, helpful, and always eager to make memorable experiences for those in need," the Dream Foundation said in a prepared statement. Most recently, 88-year-old Imogene from Orland Park, Illinois, who was losing her battle with breast cancer desperately wanted to meet Manilow. He was her idol, and she said she wanted to be "near enough to hold his hand." Dream Foundation sent her, her daughter and her son-in-law to one of his Las Vegas shows, arranged VIP seating, as well as a special meet and greet backstage.
"Without the years of support of advocates like Barry, we simply would have the resources needed to touch the lives of the families we serve," says Dream Foundation Founder/President, Thomas Rollerson. "Barry’s philanthropic efforts with Dream Foundation and beyond are testament to his compassionate heart and desire to make a difference. He clearly leads by example, embodying a message of hope and determination to make a lasting impact in the lives of others." Founded in 2004, Dream Foundation gala will take place on October 26, 2013 at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, California. It generates nearly one-third of the foundation’s entire annual operating budget. The foundation says it anticipates serving more than 5,000 final dreams this year. |
| September 5, 2013 | All Voices | "Barry Manilow to Receive Humanitarian Award" by Sherrill Fulghum |
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| Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award multi platinum selling musician Barry Manilow will be honoured with the Founder's Humanitarian Award from the Dream Foundation at their 12th annual Dream Gala on October 26 at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, California. The Dream Foundation is the first wish granting organization; they are dedicated to serving adults and families facing life threatening illnesses. Manilow will also be performing at the annual Celebraton of Dreams Gala. Through his Manilow Fund for Health and Hope and his Manilow Music Project he has donated musical instruments to schools across the country. In each city of his recent tour, Manilow donated a grand piano to the city school district and encourged fans to donate used instruments for the schools. After recent natural disasters, Manilow has replaced thousands of musical instruments lost in hurricanes and tornados. Manilow has also particpated in the Dream Foundation's wishes by eagerly granting a number of wishes. Dream Foundation founder and President Thomas Rollerson said that Manilow's continued support made him an easy choice as this year's Humanitarian Award recipient. "Barry's philanthropic efforts with Dream Foundation and beyond are testament to his compassionate heart and desire to make a difference. He clearly leads by example, embodying a message of hope and determination to make a lasting impact in the lives of others." Founded in 1994, Dream Foundation serves over 2,500 dreams each year. Playing music since he was a small child, Barry Manilow has been a human jukebox, the go to guy for every wanna be Braodway star's audition, and the piano player for Bette Midler before he burst onto the music charts in 1974 with "Mandy". Since that time he has recorded over 40 albums, sold over 80 million albums, broke onto the Billboard charts over 50 times, played for a Princess, and entertained millions of music fans. Currently Manilow is ranke the number one Adult Contemprary artist of all time. |
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