Bert Bernardi

Get Bert Bernardi Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Bert Bernardi BIO

Bert Bernardi grew up in Milford, Massachusetts not far from Boston (The area now has a much fancier name, Metro West, but its just a sleepy bedroom town no matter what one calls it). His parents, Dora and Andy, were always supportive of their creative son enrolling him in art classes and dance lessons (though the baseball little league thing never worked out). He got his first big break in the movie business at the tender age of fourteen when he began work as an usher at the Milford Cinemas I and II (Alas, the former vaudeville theatre-turned-movie house is now a parking lot).

It was the University of Bridgeport that brought Bert to Connecticut in 1977. He studied graphic design, advertising, cinema and theatre. Though his concentration of studies was in graphic arts, Bert was honored with the Deans Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre for his work as producer of several student productions and an on-campus summer theatre series. He graduated Summa Cum Laude (That's Latin for 'he did a good job').

In the summer of 1980, Bert accepted his first position with a professional theatre company. He worked as the Press Assistant at for the Westport Country Playhouse during its 50th Anniversary season. There he rubbed elbows with not only the Connecticut press, but the likes of Sada Thompson, Farley Granger, Richard Thomas, Glynnis Johns, and Van Johnson (And yes, he really did wear red socks all the time!)

Just out of college, Bert began his work as both a graphic artist and an actor! His first show for Downtown Cabaret Theatre was Grease in 1981, and he's been associated with the Cabaret ever since! Under the guidance of Richard Hallinan, Bert started writing and directing a series of children's shows inspired by the British Pantomimes. Thus, the Downtown Cabaret Theatre Children's Company was born! The company's 25th Anniversary was celebrated during the 2007 season. Bert has written over a hundred new musicals during that time (and almost all of them have some reference to cheese hidden somewhere in the text). The Children's Company was invited to appear on the CBS Early Show for its Halloween Special in 2006.

Over the years, Bert has worked with many other theatre companies including the former Boston Post Road Stage Company in Fairfield, Theatreworks New Milford, Theatre Fairfield at Fairfield University, Surflight Theatre in New Jersey, Wagon Wheel Playhouse in Indiana, Music Theatre North in Upstate New York, the Arundel Barn Playhouse in Maine, Cortland Repertory Theatre in New York and Hofstra USA productions on Long Island. He has worked extensively with Millbrook Playhouse in Pennsylvania where he served as Associate Artistic Director and as Artistic Director at the Theater Barn in New Lebanon, New York.

For his work with the Children's Company, and his other theatrical endeavors, Bert was honored with the Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre in Connecticut, presented by the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2004 at the Yale Repertory Theatre. (It was a great night...they had wine and cheese!!)

Bert and his partner Jimmy Johansmeyer created the ridiculously entertaining Pantochino Productions Inc. in 2010. In its brief history, productions have included "Lifeboat Dahling!," "The Bookworms," "Cinderella Skeleton, the Musical," "Teen Santa," "Predictable Heart: The Music of Justin Rugg" and "The Brothers Grimm and a Showgirl."

Bert Bernardi Photos

Bert Bernardi Videos

Bert Bernardi News


Pantochino Reveals Summer Programs For Children And Teens

Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc., Milford’s professional non-profit theatre for family audiences has announced the roster for Summer 2024 including its Summer Theatre Camps at Milford Arts Council, the MAC and its exciting Summer Teen Theatre production.

Aaron Tveit, Corbin Bleu & More Winners Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards

Winners have been announced for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! See who was selected audience favorite in Connecticut! Winners include Legacy Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals and more!

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Connecticut Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Connecticut Awards; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, & More Lead!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, & More Lead!

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards December 5th Standings; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

CHRISTMAS COOKIES THE MUSICAL Comes to Milford For The Holidays

Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc., a professional, not-for-profit theatre company, presents it’s holiday feature, “Christmas Cookies! The Musical,” opening Friday, December 1 at the MAC, Milford Arts Council on Railroad Avenue in downtown Milford.

Pantochino Opens Season With PHANTOM Spoof

Award-winning Pantochino Productions, a professional not-for-profit theatre company in Milford will debut it's new musical “Panto of the Opera” October 13 through 29 at the MAC, Milford Arts Council on Railroad Avenue in Downtown Milford. Learn more about the production here!

THE PROM Comes to Pantochino Teen Theatre

Pantochino Teen Theatre will present the wildly funny and incredibly moving broadway musical comedy, “The Prom' at the SHU Community Theatre in Downtown Fairfield. Co-producers Bert Bernardi and Jimmy Johansmeyer have announced three performances, August 11 and 12.

Pantochino Reveals 2023-24 Season Of Musicals In Milford

Pantochino Productions Inc., Milford’s award-winning, professional not-for-profit theatre company has announced its 2023-24 season including family favorites, a new panto and an exciting original musical comedy.

Pantochino Productions Presents AND AWAY WE GO Next Month

Award-winning Pantochino Productions, a professional not-for-profit theatre company in Milford will debut it’s new musical, “And Away We Go” April 21 through May 7 at the MAC, Milford Arts Council on Railroad Avenue in Downtown Milford.

Pantochino Teen Theatre Presents WE WILL ROCK YOU This Month

Pantochino Teen Theatre will present We Will Rock You” at the Milford Arts Council, The MAC in downtown Milford. Co-producers Bert Bernardi and Jimmy Johansmeyer have announced three performances, February 24-26.

Pantochino Announces Summer Theatre Programs For Kids and Teens

Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc., Milford’s professional non-profit theatre for family audiences has announced registration and the roster for Summer Theatre Camps at Milford Arts Council and its exciting Summer Teen Theatre production.

Winners Announced For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards

The winners have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards, honoring the best in regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards; Playhouse on Park Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards; at Playhouse on Park Leads Best Ensemble Performance!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Pantochino's CHRISTMAS CAROL Announces Additional Performance In Milford

Award-winning Pantochino Productions, a professional not-for-profit theatre company in Milford has added an additional performance to it's new musical panto “Christmas Carol” on December 18, at 5:30pm at the MAC, Milford Arts Council on Railroad Avenue in Downtown Milford.

Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards; Playhouse on Park Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Get Bert Bernardi Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos