Berman Family's Gift Puts the Arts Center Stage
The new Berman Center at the JCC is scheduled to open March 23 with appearance of composer Marvin Hamlisch.
In the next few months, the new Berman Center for the Performing Arts at the Jewish Community Center will feature renowned American conductor and composer Marvin Hamlisch, famous Israeli musician David Broza and Broadway star Patty LuPone. But the biggest stars of all may just be Madeleine and Mandell “Bill” Berman, the local philanthropists who provided $4 million toward the $6.5 million cost of the theater at Maple and Drake roads, and toward its permanent endowment. The theater, which opens with the March 23 appearance of Hamlisch, hosts Broza on March 26 and LuPone on May 23. A Navy veteran, Bill Berman had a successful business career in the housing and construction industry as president of Bert L. Smokler & Co. from 1946-1975. He …
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