Sunday, September 8, 2013


The Way They Were, A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch and Barbra Streisand. Conceived and conducted by Michael Berkowitz, Marvin's friend of 33 years and his Music Director/Conductor from 1980 until 1990 and featuring Broadway's Haven Burton, star of Shrek, Legally Blonde and Rent.

Marvin was the rehearsal pianist for FUNNY GIRL, Barbra's great Broadway triumph.  From The Way We Were to conducting Barbra's 1994 legendary comeback tour, right up until  Marvin's untimely passing in 2012, these two legends created some of the World's most memorable musical moments.

Michael Berkowitz has brought the music of these two legends together for a program unlike any other. Among the selections are:

Overture to Barbra's 1994 Tour
The Way We Were
People
Don't Rain On My Parade
Send In the Clowns
Putting It Together
Memory
With One Look
Evergreen
Music That Makes Me Dance
Windmills of Your Mind
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
Ordinary Miracles

Plus Marvin's Instrumentals 

A Chorus Line Overture
Movie Medley
Nobody Does It Better
They're Playing My Song
The Entertainer
Sophie's Choice
One
Smile 

There will never be another Marvin Hamlisch. This show is a true celebration of the joy and laughter and the music that made him a Legend, plus the music of Barbra Streisand, sung by the amazing Haven Burton. 
  
 
 
 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Where did I go?

Sorry to both of my readers about the long break between blogs. I hope you've been keeping yourselves occupied while I have been otherwise engaged.

So, NYC this Summer is about as weird as I can remember. An abundance of folks having conversations with themselves in diners and on the streets. Regular (?) folks, talking to themselves, laughing, yelling, pleading, exhorting...another odd phenomenon.

Also, tourists in NYC. It is now impossible to walk at intersections in midtown NYC as tourists stand on the corners, looking around for a cab or a hotel or are texting and standing in the middle of the sidewalk or just generally moving at the snail's pace that is normal in Normal, Illinois but not New Yawk City. And I've become that guy who tells these people to get out the way! I am now that Geezer who would be in a Martin Scorsese film, if Martin Scorsese still made those kinds of New Yawk centric movies.

One last thing...tattoos...WTF? We are now living in a world that is driven by Honey Boo Boo TV.
In the words of the late, great Fred Ebb..."Whatever Happened To Class?" I'm glad I'm not young anymore.

Have been traveling to Seattle lately for work a bit. Lovely place. Someone said that Seattle is the new NY and that NY is the new Des Moines. Might be the case. Lot's to do there, a vibrant downtown, a large concentration of good musos, restaurants all over the place and nice folks. One of the few places that is in consideration for a move from the Hudson Valley.

Lot's of great concerts coming up...new programs, new music. Doing a Benny Goodman Tribute with the GREAT Ken Peplowski in Santa Rosa. Conducting from the drums on this one. Can't wait.

New Year's Eve with the Grand Rapids Symphony, a couple of concerts in Long Beach and Ft. Myers with the Copa Boys Tribute to the Rat Pack and then concerts with the Three Phantoms, Classical Mystery Tour and our annual Christmas Extravaganza in Santa Rosa as well. Plus Big Band concerts at Hofstra University, The Neel Center in Florida, a Sinatra & Basie at the Sands concert in Illinois and a Riddle Tribute with the Fabulous Naples Jazz Orchestra.

So, taking life as it comes. We welcomed our new Grandson, Hudson Berkowitz into the World two weeks ago. Nine pounds, one ounces of wonderfulness. He's a cutie but I might be prejudiced. Nah, he's a cutie.

OK, promise to write more frequently but don't forget to call nonetheless. I'm always available!

Happy end of Summer.
Mike B