Broadway at the synagogue
is back by popular demand

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

If Labor Day is approaching, that means the excitement is building at Congregation Ner Zedek-Ezrath Israel-Beth Uziel.
The synagogue, at 7520 Bustleton Ave. in Rhawnhurst, hosts an annual fund-raising concert. For about a decade, the concert took place in the spring or fall.
Five years ago, the synagogue moved the concert to Labor Day, and the congregation responded favorably.
In 2004, the concept really took off after a performance by Broadway veteran Charles Bergell.
The crowd was hungry for more of the same, and Ner Zedek invited back Bergell and other members of Broadway Sings, a concert production company he serves as co-executive producer.
For the last two years, the Broadway Sings productions have drawn huge crowds at the synagogue, and brisk ticket sales so far indicate that fans will be flocking to Monday’s concert.
"We’re getting new people, of course, but we’re getting a lot of repeat customers," said Don Agriss, a Ner Zedek member and chairman of the publicity committee. "People come back year after year because Broadway Sings puts on such a great program and a great concert."
The show is titled Back by Popular Demand and is sponsored by Firstrust Bank. It starts at 1:30 p.m. and will include an intermission.
General admission tickets are available in advance or at the door.
Fans will be treated to two hours of the best of Rodgers and Hammerstein, with music from longtime favorites Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret and The Music Man and more contemporary hits such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Grease.
Last year, a crowd of about 800 helped Ner Zedek raise $13,000. The concert is the synagogue’s largest fund-raiser of the year.
"The word has gotten out," said Michael Brown, chairman of the concert committee. "They are super performers. They always give a super show. It should be a fun day."
North Jersey-based Broadway Sings was founded in 2003 by Bergell and fellow veteran Broadway performer Lisa Capps, who met more than a decade ago on a national tour of Les Miserables.
Together, they have assembled actors, directors, choreographers, musicians and designers to create a Broadway event.
On Monday, the show will feature the talents of Kelly Grant, Becca Ayers, Marissa McGowen, William Michals, Don Brewer and Ted Levy. Brewer is the husband of Capps.
Each of the performers has a sparkling resumé.
Ayers, McGowen and Brewer are currently starring on Broadway in Les Miserables.
Grant recently made her Broadway debut in a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company.
Michals made his Broadway debut as "The Beast" in Beauty and the Beast, performing opposite Andrea McArdle, Deborah Gibson and Toni Braxton, and later returned to play Gaston in the same production. He will sing and serve as master of ceremonies.
"He’s our baritone," Capps said. "People love him."
Levy, who has worked with Savion Glover, will add a tap-dancing routine.
"We’re mixing it up this year," Capps said. "It will be really neat to watch and really fun for the audience."
Broadway Sings has a show for a lot of different occasions, including Christmas and other holidays. There’s a patriotic concert, along with a sing-along and one dedicated to Disney songs.
The company will soon release a compact disc that will be available in bookstores.
The key to the success of Broadway Sings, according to Capps, is the talent of the artists and the variety of tunes.
"We do a lot of traditional songs," she said, "but we also bring in the popular contemporary songs." ••
The public is invited to Monday afternoon’s concert. General admission tickets cost $25. They are available in advance at the synagogue or by calling 215-728-1155. For more information, visit www.broadwaysings.com
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com