On Sunday, January 10 at the China Club Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Robert Schenkkan, and composer/lyricist Neil Berg presented an industry showcase of their new musical THE 12. Produced by Adam Friedson and Left Feild Productions, this musical showcase is a preview to its premiere production at the Broward Center this upcoming spring. The showcase, part of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference, was directed by Richard Seyd.
The 12 takes one of the most well known stories in history and explores the least known and most intriguing aspects of it: how twelve ordinary individuals torn apart by the unthinkable death of their leader came together to create one of the most powerful movements ever known to mankind.
A thrilling rock and roll concert set in the context of an underground rock band performing what might be their last concert together, the 12 features twelve Broadway and Rock stars...including: Ron Bohmer (Phantom, Les Mis, Sunset Blvd, Ragtime) as "Peter," Jeremy Kushnier (Rent, Footloose) as "Thomas", Patti Russo (featured singer from Meatloaf) as "The Roadie" "Mother Mary" and "The Devil" , Michael Lanning (The Civil War, toured with Larry Gatlin, and George Harrison) as "Simon", Sophia Ramos (Trans Siberian Orchestra) as "Mary Magdelene", Gerard Canonico (star of Spring Awakening, upcoming American Idiot) as "Jimmy" and special guest star Dan Spitz (original lead guitarist from Anthrax) on guitar. Musical direction is by Wendy Bobbit Cavett (current conductor of Mamma Mia).
These greats performed original rock and roll songs in the classic rock and roll styles of U2, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Eric Clapton, The Who, Led Zepplin, Anthrax, Aretha Franklin, and Nirvana, among others.
BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the excitement.
Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Adam Friedson (Producer) Starts Off the Evening
Ron Bohmer (Peter)
Sophia Ramos (Mary Magdalene)
Sophia Ramos
Sophia Ramos
Michael Lanning (Simon)
Gerard Canonico (James the Lessor)
Jeremy Kushnier (Thomas)
Gregory Porter (Thaddus)
Dan Spitz
Dan Spitz
Patti Russo (Mother Mary)
Gerard Canonico, Jeremy Kushnier, and Ron Bohmer
Dan Spitz
Jeremy Kushnier and Ron Bohmer
Gerard Canonico, Jeremy Kushnier, Ron Bohmer, Gregory Porter, and Michael Lanning
Sophia Ramos
Sophia Ramos
Jeremy Kushnier, Ron Bohmer, Gregory Porter, Michael Lanning, and Sophia Ramos
Patti Russo and Gerard Canonico
Neil Berg (Music/Lyrics) and Ron Bohmer
Neil Berg and Ron Bohmer
Robert Schenkkan (Book & Additional Lyrics), Neil Berg, and Ron Bohmer
Robert Schenkkan, Neil Berg, and Ron Bohmer
Rita Harvey and Michael Lanning
Gregory Porter, Roger Cohen (Drums) and Gerard Canonico
Dan Spitz
Dan Spitz
Neil Berg and Dan Spitz
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