FRINGE THEATER / A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF LEONARD BERNSTEIN

FRINGE THEATER / A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF LEONARD BERNSTEIN

Fringe Theater presents Bernstein on Broadway, a musical celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of American composer, conductor, and educator Leonard Bernstein.  The evening, which was conceived and developed by Bobby Nesbitt and Vincent Zito, will be presented at 7pm on March 15 and 16 at The Studios of Key West, located at 533 Eaton Street.

“I grew up close to New York City and attended university in Manhattan,” shares Vincent Zito, “Leonard Bernstein was always a prominent figure in my musical education. From his Young Peoples Concerts on television to seeing him conduct the New York Philharmonic and at the Metropolitan Opera to attending premieres of his compositions, Bernstein loomed large in the musical landscape of the ’60’s, ’70’s, and ’80’s. The one time I met him, I was struck not only by the sheer vitality of the man but by his charisma – what Noel Coward called Star Quality. Bernstein was the kind of person who turned heads when he walked into a room even if you didn’t know who he was.”

The world took notice of Leonard Bernstein who, in 1943, stepped forward to replace an ailing conductor at a Carnegie Hall concert.  Soon after, he was conducting orchestras from London to Tel Aviv and Prague. He served as Music Director of the New York City Symphony and the New York Philharmonic, conducting more concerts than any previous music director. He taught at universities, conducted workshops, and televised programs designed to inspire a love of music. As a composer he wrote in many styles including symphonic and orchestral music, ballet, film, choral, opera, chamber, and piano music.

Bernstein also contributed substantially to the Broadway musical stage. He collaborated with Betty Comden and Adolph Green for On the Town, and Wonderful Town. He collaborated with Richard Wilbur and Lillian Hellman when he wrote Candide. He collaborated with Jerome Robbins, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents, on the landmark Broadway musical West Side Story, and he wrote 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with Alan Jay Lerner.

Bernstein believed in artistic collaboration, so it feels particularly fitting that Fringe’s Bernstein on Broadway has been developed in collaboration between Bobby Nesbitt and Vincent Zito.

“Bobby and I have worked together many times,” explains Vincent, “but always on pre-set programs. This was an opportunity for a true collaboration between us. It was also a great opportunity to bring together a group of dear friends who we hadn’t worked with for a number of years. Susan Powell, Richard White, Susie Speidel and Jono Mainelli are tops in their field – the the ideal performers to bring this demanding music to life.”

Pianist and performer Bobby Nesbitt actually spent time with Leonard Bernstein. “It was my great pleasure to actually have him sit at the piano with me on numerous occasions,” Bobby said of the experience. “One rarely gets to meet one’s heroes, and it was unforgettable.”

“Leonard Bernstein was equally at home on the concert stage or the Broadway stage. In concert halls around the world, Bernstein’s classical side is being celebrated this year. We have the opportunity here in Key West to celebrate the show biz side of the Maestro with these brilliant singers,” Bobby concludes.

Bernstein on Broadway is offered two nights only. Tickets are $35 general admission and $45 reserved and can be purchased at www.fringetheater or at 305-731-0581. Fringe Theater is a Key West nonprofit that strives to enrich, educate, and entertain our community and those who visit us! 

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