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Metro Detroit's newest theater breaks a leg.

Keri Guten Cohen
Story Development Editor

A

new era in Metro Detroit theater
history began March 23 with the
opening of the Berman Center
for the Performing Arts at the Jewish
Community Center in West Bloomfield.
Prior to a concert by composer, conductor
and entertainer Marvin Hamlisch, patrons
wandered about the JCC and theater lobbies
excited about the prospect of having a state-
of-the-art theater so close to home.
"It was a very electric evening:' said Rick
Sherline, co-chair with Linda Lee of the
2011 JCC Stephen Gottlieb Music Festival.
"The crowd came really early, and when
the doors opened there was a mad rush to
experience the theater!'
The 1,500-square-foot theater can hold
up to 600 people, and also be reconfigured
to a cozy 350. The Berman has an intimate
feel, made even more intimate by its superb
sound and acoustics.
The evening belonged to the Jewish com-
munity, as was emphasized by JCC execu-
tive director Mark Lit, who thanked theater
benefactors Mandel "Bill" and Madeleine
Berman, then asked everyone who had a
special feeling about the JCC to stand up.
When everyone rose, Lit asked them to
applaud each other, proclaiming that it was
the Berman's first standing ovation.
The Michigan Board of Cantors were
the first to sing on stage as they led the
crowd in the American and Israeli national
anthems, followed by the Shehechiyanu
prayer. The cantors will end the festival with
a concert on April 3.
"It was a thrilling night:' Sherline said.
"Marvin Hamlisch said it was the cleanest
theater he's ever worked in — not even
a scuff mark. It was a lot of hard work
that culminated in an enchanting, perfect
evening."

Usher Terry Hollander helps Robert and Susan Rollinger of West Bloomfield find their seats.

Music festival co-chair Linda Lee of Bloomfield Hills and

Mark Davidoff, JCC president

Rick Sherline, co-chair of the JCC music

festival, with Shelley Wright of Novi

Joyce and Mark Lit of Commerce Township at opening night. Lit is
JCC executive director.

Susie and Norm Pappas of Bloomfield Hills flank Margie

Dunn of West Bloomfield.

March 1 201

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