Small, Kaplan et al. Set For 'They Changed Broadway' Benefit, 6/13

The Forum Theatre Presents 'They Changed Broadway: From Berlin to Bernstein and Beyond' a benefit performance June 13 at 4pm. 'They Changed Broadway' will benefit Congregation Neve Shalom of Metuchen New Jersey.

The show will remember some of the great Jewish performers and writers of Broadway, included in the performance will be selections from CABARET, WEST SIDE STORY, FUNNY GIRL, GUYS AND DOLLS and RENT.

Performing in the concert will be Stuart Zagnit, Jonathan C. Kaplan, Leah Horowitz, and Neva Small, there will also be a special appearance by Ben Rauch. Directing the concert will be Sara Louise Lazarus, with assistance by Michael Colby as well as musical direction by Michael Lavine.

Proceeds from 'They Changed Broadway' will go to funding programs for the youth and elderly, Meals on Wheels, Save the World Committee, and the Edison-Metuchen-Colonia-Woodbridge.

Michael Colby is the librettist/lyricist of such musicals as CHARLOTTE SWEET (Drama Desk Award nomination), TALES OF TINSELTOWN, NORTH ATLANTIC (Show Business Award), SLAY IT WITH MUSIC, MRS. McTHING, THEY CHOSE ME!, and LUDLOW LADD. He was chief writer for the Drama Desk Award-winning New Amsterdam Theatre Company, and has been a frequent writer for The NY Festival of Song as well as the Theatre By the Blind. Among the personalities for whom Mr. Colby has written material are: Linda Lavin, Tony Randall, Tovah Feldshuh, Savion Glover, Dina Merrill, Susan Stroman, Michael Feinstein, Jack Gilford, Andrea Marcovicci, Kristin Chenoweth, Bruce Adler, Cliff Robertson, Lainie Kazan, Jane Powell, Eric Stoltz, Julie Wilson, Alison Fraser, Mary Cleere Haran, Stephanie Pope, Donna McKechnie, & Cicely Tyson. Michael's MEESTER AMERIKA, was acclaimed as "Best Score [of the New Jersey theatre season]" and "A superb celebration of Yiddish Theatre... Show music of the highest order," by Peter Filichia, The Star-Ledger.

Leah Horowitz has Broadway credits including Les Miserable (Cosette), The Woman in White, Fiddler on the Roof, White Christmas, La Cage Aux Folles, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Regional credits include Meet Me in St Louis (Rose), West Side Story (Maria), and Marry Me a Little. Leah does extensive work on jingles and has recorded demos for Barbie, Zest, Visa, NY Lotto. You might recognize her voice singing "Mm, mm, good!" on Campbell's Soup TV spots.

Jonathan C. Kaplan won The Theatre World Award and was nominated for a Tony® Award playing "Jason" in Falsettos. Other roles include Peter in The Diary of Anne Frank (Broadway; starring Natalie Portman & Linda Lavin), Benjamin in The Graduate (National Tour), and Mitchell in The Loman Family Picnic (Manhattan Theatre Club). Films include Loving Leah and Life with Mikey. TV appearances include Law and Order: CI, Law and Order: SVU, and As the World Turns.

Neva Small has distinguished herself as a singer and actress in theaters, in concert halls across America, on film, and on television. Her signature role of Chava in the film version of "Fiddler on the Roof" remains a classic. Recently returning to the spotlight after raising a family, Neva starred with Michael Feinstein in "Michael Feinstein: Now & Then" at Carnegie Hall, released her best selling first solo CD, "Neva Small: My Place in the World", and was a guest artist with the Walla Walla Symphony.

Neva Small's cabaret show "Not Quite An Ingenue" is so successful it transferred to an Off-Broadway theater where it is currently being performed. Neva has appeared on television in Law & Order, Law & Order Criminal Intent, the TV movie "Hijacking of the Achille Lauro" and is an accomplished writer, producer and performer of children's educational programs.

Tickets are available through the mail by sending seating requests with checks made payable to:

Neve Shalom: They Changed Broadway
c/o Neve Shalom
250 Grove Ave
Metuchen, NJ 08840

For more information, call (732) 548-2238, or Click Here.

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