Tommy Tune, Tom Wopat and More to Appear in the Berman Center's 2016-2017 Season

The Berman Center for the Performing Arts announces its sixth season with an exceptional series of shows, including Broadway, dance performances, a film and lecture series, music, live shows, and programming for families.

The Berman's 2016/2017 season starts with a performance by 10-time Tony Award® winner, Tommy Tune, who is the first to appear in the theater's Broadway series. Next up is Tony-Award® winning Tom Wopat and Linda Purl who will perform jazzy tunes and American standards together. Later in the season, prized vocalists Debbie Gravitte, Scott Coulter and Kelli Rabke will sing with music theatre legend Stephen Schwartz at the piano. The Broadway excitement continues with "The Wonder Bread Years," a fast-paced, hilarious production starring Pat Hazell, and "Wiesenthal," the riveting true story of Simon Wiesenthal - called "the Jewish James Bond." Chase Padgett with his brilliant one-man show, 6 Guitars, completes this series with a perfect blend of a concert, play, stand-up and improv comedy.

"I'm absolutely delighted that The Berman is in its sixth season at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. It is one of Michigan's finest centers for the performing arts," says Brian D. Siegel, CEO of the Jewish Community Center. "In five short years The Berman has become a household name within the local community by programming world-class entertainment. This year we will expand our reach beyond our neighborhood, in order to become a destination for all metro Detroiters to see top-notch performances at one of the finest venues in the state," he says.

The Berman's dance series starts with Classic Koresh, a selection of favorites from the company's 25-year history. Also performing is the new MDM Dance Project, which showcases some of the most extraordinary young talent from throughout the state, as well as, The Michigan Five, where the most outstanding and creative dance talent from colleges and universities perform a thrilling show on The Berman's stage.

A Life in Art, The Berman's film and lecture series, will focus on two of the world's most poignant artists. The film "Who The #@%! Is Jackson Pollock?" opens a three-part exploration of Jackson Pollock, which also includes a lecture called Pollock - A Life In Art, and the movie "Pollock," starring Ed Harris and Marcia Gay Harden. Da Vinci's life is investigated in the next run, starting with the film "Leonardo Da Vinci - The Genius In Milan," followed by a lecture, Da Vinci - A Life In Art With Eugene Clark, and ends with the Tom Hanks thriller, The Da Vinci Code.

"We are looking forward to this season at The Berman. I think it's our best to date," says Elaine (Hendriks) Smith, Director of The Berman. "Having Tommy Tune start our season with both a private gala and public performance is only the beginning. This year we've added a new music festival, thanks to a generous donation by Ethan & Gretchen Ethan Davidson. We have some of the best performers in the industry coming to The Berman, including Koresh Dance, a world-renowned Dance Company who is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year with a very special performance. We are very excited for the season to begin and encourage everyone to visit The Berman many times this year."

The Sphinx Virtuosi kicks off a robust music series at The Berman with the Catalyst Quartet, one of the nation's most dynamic professional chamber orchestras. Also appearing is Jayme Stone's Lomax Project where North America's most creative roots musicians revive, recycle and re-imagine traditional music. Next the Tenors Un Limited will take audiences on a musical journey from Venice to Vegas - all in one evening. Performing several times throughout the 2016/2017 season is the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Chamber Orchestra that returns for its sixth consecutive season at The Berman in The William Davidson DSO Neighborhood Concert Series. New this year is The JCC Ethan & Gretchen Davidson Music Festival - with a focus on indie, roots, folk, world and rock music. The festival will unite the worlds most creative Jewish musicians for a true celebration of song in an energizing atmosphere.

A series of live shows at The Berman will include Oz Pearlman - Mentalist, one of the busiest mentalists in the country who will leave audiences in awe, wondering if he truly can read their minds. Next, the creators of the original Singing Tesla Coil, ARC Attack, will generate an "electrifying" performance. The Wild Swan Theater will also perform a magical version of "The Ugly Duckling," which is great for families, in addition to The Berman's A Play In A Day where children 5-and-older will learn and perform a 30-minute play - complete with acting, dancing and singing - in just one day.

Also well suited for families is a film series for children, featuring Disney classics: "Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs (1937)," "Alice In Wonderland (1951)" and "Pocahontas (1995)." Before each performance, children can create a movie-themed craft.

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