Fred Berman to Play Irving Berlin in New York-Bound Tin Pan Alley Rag

By: Dec. 14, 2005
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Fred Berman will play songwriting legend Irving Berlin in the NYC-aimed Maltz-Jupiter Theatre production of The Tin Pan Alley Rag; the show will play the Florida theatre from January 17th through February 6th, 2006.

Irving Berlin is one of the two music legends featured as a character in the show; ragtime pioneer Scott Joplin is the other. "A meeting between Irving Berlin and Scott Joplin generates surprisingly entertaining and dramatic musical fireworks. When the aging Scott Joplin happens into young Irving Berlin's office in search of a publisher, a musical discourse unfolds highlighting influential and emotional moments from each of their lives. This bracingly original piece contrasts the ironic similarities and differences between the men to sustaining surge of their musical compositions," state the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's production notes.

Directed by Jiri Zizka, The Tin Pan Alley Rag was developed at the Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia--of which Zizka is the artistic director--and also received productions at Cleveland Playhouse, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, Goodspeed Musical under other directors. George Faison (The Wiz) will choreograph the show, which will feature musical direction and arrangements by Brad Ellis.

Berman most recently played the role of "Rabbi Isaac Birnaum" in the York Theatre's MUFTI presentation of Theda Bara & The Frontier Rabbi.

He played the role of "Irving Berlin" in the Cleveland Playhouse's 2001 productin of The Tin Pan Alley Rag, as well as several subsequent NYC readings of the piece. Other credits include: The Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde (NYMF), The Public Theatre's critically acclaimed revival of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, Shockheaded Peter (The Little Shubert), Of Thee I Sing (Papermill Playhouse), Biloxi Blues (Geva Theatre), The Buddy Holly Story (Nat'l Tour), among others. He also played lead roles in the films, Four Letter Words and Goin' Down, and has appeared on television on "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is located at 1001 Indiantown Road and A1A in Jupiter. For more information, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call (561) 575-2223 or (800) 445-1666.

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