Broadway Star Patti LuPone and Maestro Leonard Slatkin Perform at Berman Center Gala

Music lovers and arts supporters enjoyed classical music by Maestro Leonard Slatkin and the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra and hit show tunes by Broadway star Patti LuPone at the grand opening gala of the Berman Center for the Performing Arts at the Monday.

The festive evening was held in honor of the center's namesakes and benefactors, Madeleine and Mandell Berman, whose vision and financial contribution made the new venue possible.

The $200-per-ticket event was chaired by Lauren and Phillip Fisher and Lynda and Conrad Giles, both of Bloomfield Hills.

“Tonight we’re celebrating leadership,” said Phillip Fisher prior to the event. “We’re thrilled that the Bermans are showing the leadership and devotion to the arts that my father (Max Fisher) began, and we’re here to support the community.”

In his introductory remarks, Conrad Giles referred to the Bermans as the “real stars of the evening,” praising their encyclopedic resumes and extraordinary contributions to the community, in terms of hands-on participation and philanthropy.

The ceremony included a congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama, who reappointed Madeleine Mandell to the President's Council of Arts and Humanities, to which she was originally appointed by President Bill Clinton.

The Bermans, who were in Florida when the center officially opened in April with an appearance by composer Marvin Hamlisch, took the stage and thanked the audience for its support.

Mandell Berman recognized Joel Smith of Neumann/Smith Architecture and Todd Sachse of Sachse Construction for the acumen and attention to detail that allowed the building to be completed only ten months after its groundbreaking.

“This building is everything we could have wanted,” said Berman, adding that the facility was due to the dream of his wife, Madeleine, a former theater critic and longtime patron of the visual and performing arts.

Slatkin, who donated his time for the evening, led the high school through university level students who comprise the Civic Orchestra in a variety of pieces by composers ranging from Bach to Vivaldi to Copland.

“I go to school with some of these kids, and they are phenomenal players,” said Aaron Lowe during intermission. Lowe, who lives in West Bloomfield and attends the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills, attended the gala with his brother, Maxwell, and their father, Jonathan Lowe.

Patti LuPone did a medley of songs entitled “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda,” which she described as all the Broadway roles she could have, should have, and would have played, as well as some that she did play.

Some of the highlights included songs from “Gypsy” and “Evita,” in which she starred, in addition to tunes from Broadway hits “South Pacific” and “Bye Bye Birdie.”

After the performance, a champagne and dessert reception was held in Handelman Hall adjacent to the Berman Center.

“My brother, Jon, and I are very proud of our parents,” said Mandell and Madeleine’s daughter Ann Berman, who travelled from New York to attend the event. “They’ve looked forward to this night for a long time.”

The gala is one of the two major fundraisers held each year for the Jewish Community Center. A portion of the proceeds will be used to provide scholarships for youth programs such as day camp and the Pitt Child Development Center. The second fundraiser is a golf outing scheduled for Monday, August 29.

“This was just a magical evening,” said Bobbie Blitz of West Bloomfield. “I love Patti LuPone, and the theater is a marvelous addition to the JCC and to West Bloomfield.”