Defiance native Allison Berry and Deborah Lynn star in 'Wonderful Town'
Toledo Blade, Toledo, OH. April 2007
by Nanciann Cherry- Blade Staff writer

The route from northwest Ohio to a touring Broadway show took Allison Berry to Florida, East Lansing, Mich, Tokyo, and New York.

But, she says she's still a small-town girl at heart.

Berry stars in Wonderful Town, which comes to the Valentine Theatre Saturday, and she discussed her past and the show in a telephone interview last week from Syracuse, where she was performing.

"I was born and raised in Defiance, Ohio. I lived there until I was 14, ' she said. "My father was a surgeon and was a founder of the Defiance Clinic, and when he retired in '94 we moved. My Dad is in Florida now, my Mom is in Michigan, an that's where I spend my time when I'm not living in New York. But, my roots .... I lived most of my life in Defiance and still think of it as home."

Berry plays Eileen Sherwood in the musical based on Ruth McKinney's stories for the New Yorker, which became a play and a movie called My Sister Eileen.

The story, she said, has two major components: the relationship between sisters Ruth and Eileen and their relationship with the city of New York.

The sisters have dreams. Ruth wants to be a writer, and Eileen wants to be an actress. So they pack their bags and move to Columbus to New York, where, Berry said, they are "rudely awakened by the craziness of the city."

For instance, within the first five minutes of being in their apartment, they realize that the new subway system is being built right under the building, and construction crews are blasting dynamite for the tunnels all hours of the day or night.

"My character, Eileen, is the blonde bombshell. Everything comes very easily to her because men are extremely attracted to her. And because of that, she has always had a very easy time getting what she wants," Berry says.

Eileen uses that attraction to help Ruth get a job. Even though the two girls couldn't be more opposite, Berry said, they work well as a team. Each always has sister's best interests at heart as they set out to conquer the city.

Ruth is played by Deborah Lynn, whom Berry called fabulous.

"We met at the audition... and we clicked instantly. We read together a few times and it went well, and I just remember thinking, "Boy I hope if I get it, she gets it, because in my mind she was absolutely the best. Sure enough, on the first day of rehearsals, we ran into eachother on the sidewalk outside of the rehearsal building... and we just stopped and started screaming and hugging. True story. And we've had a great time together."

Berry, who is is 27, said she went to high school in North Palm Beach, Fla, then headed to Michigan State University and earned a bachelor of music degree. "Yes, I'm a Spartan, much to the dismay of my father, who was a Wolverine. My older sister went to Ohio State, so we kind of got him from both ends there."

After studying voice and classical music at MSU, berry headed to graduate school at New York University, where she got a master's degree in voice, then stayed another year to earn an artist's diploma in musical theatre.

After working at the Schoolhouse Theatre in Florida, she headed to Japan for a sex-month stint at Tokyo Disney, where she sand in one of the stage shows. That ended when she got her current job.

Wonderful Town has some stellar roots.

As My Sister Eileen, the play written by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov, it ran for more than two years on Broadway during World War II, and, according to Gerald Bordman and Thomas Hischak's book The Oxford Companion to American Theatre, the New York Post called it "the giddiest delight to be seen hereabouts since You Can't Take it With You."

Fields and Chodorov later reworked the play into a musical, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It ran on Broadway for another 17 months, winning five Tony Awards in 1953, including best musical. Kathleen Marshall's 2003 Broadway revival earned five Tony nominations and one award.

If there's any one problem with the show, it's the dialogue, Berry said.

"The dialogue is dated, and the Leonard Bernstein score, even though it's absolutely gorgeous and just legitimate musical theatre to a T, it's not the kind of pop dynamic that's so popular today" in musicals such as Hairspray and even Mamma Mia!

"From my experience, everyone who comes to see it leaves saying, "Why haven't we heard about this musical before," because it's not done a lot. It's never toured, and we are really enjoying watching people embrace it."

There are some updates, Berry said. "When Kathleen Marshall staged it for the revival a few years ago, she really made it quite impressive. It has vibrant colors in the sets and costumes, with an almost modern feel to it. Bit, it still captures the time period of the 30's and the style that it was written in the '50's.

"I always say it's definitely a show for al ages. Older crowds will appreciate the dialogue and the time period. But the sets are so colorful and the dancing numbers are so extraordinary that younger children will really love it."

Berry's hoping the show is a real crowd pleaser at the Valentine, especially because she's expecting some friends and relatives to be there, listing an aunt and uncle, a brother and his family, ands omen ices and nephews, who still live in Northwest Ohio.

"I'm hoping that there will be quite a Defiance following."

The State News, East Lansing, MI. March 2007
by Colleen Maxwell

After spending her years at MSU singing the national anthem at graduation and basketball games, alumna Allison Berry has made her voice heard on a slightly larger scale– Broadway.

The 2002 graduate is a lead in Leonard Bernstein's "Wonderful Town," which is touring until May. The show will make a stop in Detroit at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison Ave. in Detroit.

The musical, which takes place in 1935, features two sisters from Columbus, Ohio, trying to advance their in New York City. Ruth, the clumsier sister, is a writer, while Berry's character, Eileen, aspires to be an actress. Although the sisters are complete opposites, they function well together as a team, while they discover the different ethnicities and lifestyles of the city.

Berry, who was back home in Harbor Springs visiting her family when the show's general auditions took place in October, flew to New York after being called in by a casting director who knew Berry from a previous audition. She snagged the role of Eileen, and although she was planning to go to Florida for another show, she said this was a much better opportunity.

Eileen is her biggest role to date, Berry said. She and her character share similarities, including a lot of their mannerisms and being blonde.

"Eileen is a very positive, 'the glass is half full' person," she said. "She always has a way to get things done, and we both came from Ohio, so we have Midwest values that are similar."

While her career is still fairly you, Berry has always been interested in singing and dancing.

"We always watched old musicals when I was little," she said. "And I started dance and music at the age of 4. It was something that I always did – these were my after school activities."

Berry decided to study what she loved when she began college– only at a more intense level. She graduated from MSU with a bachelor's degree in music.

"The education at the music school was phenomenal," she said. "I went there knowing nothing about music and left learning more than I ever though existed about singing."

Along with being involved in some of the operas at MSU, including "Trial by Jury" and "Orpheus in the Underworld," she also got the opportunity to sing the national anthem for graduation and at some basketball games.

"It was a chance to perform in front of a large audiences," Berry said. "It was a great training ground."

After receiving her diploma from MSU, berry attended NYU for graduate school, and received a master's degree in classical voice and opera. Ever since, she said she has been working– having great success and great roles.

Her interest in musicals has led her to take up other hobbies as well. Because of the amount of time she spends traveling on a bus, Berry has taken up knitting. She also does yoga and said she loves going to museums and theatres. A bug fan of Northern Michigan weather, berry swims and plays tennis whenever she can during the summertime.

As for now, most of what she does revolves around her shows. On the day of a performance, she is careful about the amount of sleep she gets, the food she eats, and her physical activities, as they all can affect her performance.

"I stretch and make sure I am physically ready to do anything," she said.

Berry does a solo warm–up in her hotel room with a roll–up keyboard, and then has a group warm–up when she arrives at the theatre.

While she is content with the way her career is going, Berry said she misses singing classical music and opera– but that it is something she can still do 10 years from now.

"There's so much to do in the music world," she said.

Right now, though, she's satisfied playing Eileen in "Wonderful Town," which she said is her biggest role to date.

"My goal is to be a working actress, and I'm doing it" Berry said. "I'm living my goals and my dreams."

The Benjamin School Pharcyde, North Palm Beach, FL. December 2006
by Corey Weinberg, staff writer

Former Benjamin student, Allison Berry, is living her dream on the big stage. Berry is starring in the Broadway musical WONDERFUL TOWN, traveling the country and performing shows night after night with a non-Equity touring company. In fact, WONDERFUL TOWN, starring Allison Berry, can be seen at the Kravis Center on Sunday, December 17th.

Berry portrays the character of "Eileen," who moves with her sister from Ohio to New York, in hopes of becoming an actress. Berry's own aspirations are distinctly similar. From performances in the inaugural Variety Show and numerous spring musicals, to her current role in WONDERFUL TOWN, Berry is succeeding in the grinding, competitive field of musical theatre.

Recently, Ms. Berry discussed her enlightening experience in fine arts at Benjamin with The Pharcyde.

How many years were you at Benjamin?
I attended Benjamin for 4 years; from 8th grade through 11th grade.

What was your history with the Drama Club?
After a very inspiring year with Mr. Benson at the Middle School, I joined the drama club and started working with Mrs. Salivar as soon as I got to the Upper school. I was in all the musicals (Rapunzel in INTO THE WOODS, Kim MacAfee in BYE BYE BIRDIE, and Maria in WEST SID STORY.)

I was at Benjamin for the very first Variety Show, and did it every year. I also took dance classes with Mrs. Salivar and Mrs. Feyk as part of my school curriculum, and every day after class too. I did chorus every year, and performed in just about everything that happened at Benjamin!

What did you do after Benjamin?
After spending my senior year in Michigan, preparing for college auditions, I attended Michigan State University, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in vocal performance. I moved to New York City, and entered New York University, where I got a master's degree in classical vocal performance, and stayed on an extra year to do a post-grad degree, specializing in music education, and musical theatre performance. Summers were filled with conservatory training at various music festivals, here in the states, and in Italy.

In what ways can you attribute your time at Benjamin to your success?
When I was at Benjamin, I was almost like an athlete in training. It is perfectly normal for those who excel in sports to use their high school teachers, facilities, and opportunities to prepare for a career, or a higher level of competition. I did the same thing with the arts. Because of Benjamin's beautiful facilities, talented staff, and multiple performance opportunities, I was able to design an intense curriculum in the arts, so that I was better prepared for the college level.

While at Benjamin, it became apparent that I could indeed sing, dance, and act as a career, not just as a fun-after school past time. Benjamin was very encouraging, and never looked down upon such a decision in favor of something more "normal." Also, Drama Club, dance, and chorus were fun at Benjamin! We had such a great and supportive group, and of course, Mrs. Salivar can be thanked for this.

What advice can you give to the aspiring fine artists at Benjamin today?
The advice I would give to aspiring fine artists at Benjamin is to take advantage of opportunities in your school and community, as much as possible. Every experience counts for something, and you never know when the small lesson you learned doing the tiniest little project can come in handy.

There have been many times when I have been in the professional stage, and have had to use knowledge that I gained doing seemingly insignificant work in the past. Also, if you are interested n pursuing the arts in college, every activity can be added to your resume, which is more attractive to an admissions committee.

How has Benjamin prepared you for your new life on stage?
Multiple performance opportunities allowed me to try my hand at dance, singing, drama, etc. No one was ever denied a performance, if they were willing to put in the work. I had more roles on my resume by the time I left Benjamin, than most do after an entire college music theatre program!

I would like to thank all the great faculty, and the Drama Club, at The Benjamin School who continue to have such an interest in my career. To still have your support, after all these years, means so much. Benjamin remains to be like a family to me!

The show is Wonderful Town. What can you tell me about the show and what role do you play?
WONDERFUL TOWN was written in 1953, with music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyricists, Adolf Green and Betty Comden (who just passed away last week at the age of 89.) It is based on the book of short stories, My SISTER EILEEN, by Ruth McKinney, which tells the true stories of two girls from Ohio who come to New York City, in the 1930's, to live their dreams. I play the sister Eileen, who aspires to be an actress, and Ruth, the other sister, aims to be a writer. The girls could not be more opposite. Eileen, always the optimist, is a blonde beauty who attracts men at the drop of a dime. Ruth is more conventional in appearance, and nothing seems to go easily for her. Despite their differences, their two personalities complement each other so well, that their lives are better lived as a team.

The musical follows the hilarious happenings of their first months in New York City (the Brazilian Navy following Ruth back to their Greenwich Village apartment, and the dynamite blasting for the new subway, right underneath their apartment.), and ends with their adjustment. The girls managed to draw in crowds of friends from all walks of life, who are, nonetheless, drawn to their Midwestern naiveté and charm. (And, of course, some romance is involved!) It is, no doubt, THE quintessential musical of New York City, and everything it has to offer, both good and bad.

The Buccaneer, North Palm Beach, FL. April 2006
by Kathleen H. Aiello

"Her voice is sweet and clear.... She moves well, dances well, and holds the stage with confidence... She has a winning presence and creates a strong connection with the audience."

Rave reviews are in for Allison Berry's principle singing performance in the November 2005 production of IN THE MOOD; The 1940's JUKEBOX presented at the Schoolhouse Theatre in Sanibel, Florida.

"The emotional impact of her "White Cliffs of Dover" was powerful and thrilling," said Karen Nelson, managing Editor and arts critique for The Islander.

The classical vocalist has recently extended her theatre talents to audiences in Japan at the American Waterfront in Tokyo DisneySea's park as a featured soprano in ENCORE! Allison takes to the Broadway Theatre stage five times daily with her fellow cast of a dozen singers and a 40–member dance troupe who dazzle audiences with a musical spectacle of New York City song and dance.

"I'm having the time of my life," exclaimed Allison, now in her third of six months entertaining in Tokyo.

"We perform five days a week," explained Allison. "The show is entirely in English and our Japanese audiences love it. Many are season pass holders and come to see us every day. It's an exciting and spectacular display of costumes and staging done in Disney–like style so everyone gets the feel of Broadway right here in Tokyo."

Allison's mix of performing arts study and wide–range of staged performances has been key to the singer's aspiring career.

The 26–year old performer earned her Master of Arts degree in classical vocal performance at New York University and went on to receive the university's Artist Diploma in music theatre, both under the tutelage of voice instructor Jane Olian. She was the recipient of the Jan Peerce Voice Scholarship as well as the Graduate Leadership Award in voice, representing NYU in Florence, Italy in June 2003 at the University Leadership Conference. Allison also studied at Michigan State University as an undergraduate student, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance.

There she performed in three of the university's operas– ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, and HANSEL AND GRETEL. She also played the role of Angelina in the musical theater production of TRIAL BY JURY. While in New York City, Allison's professional productions included appearances at the Black ox Theatre (THE FINISHING SCHOOL) and the Frederick Loewe Theatre (PARADE and STREET SCENE.) Allison has also performed musical theatre at Michigan's Bay View Music Festival.

"I began to consider performing as a profession when I was a student at Benjamin with Mrs. Salivar," explains Allison. Without a doubt, her one–woman show exposed is to every aspect of performance– dancing, singing, acting, and musicals. She arranged for me and many of us to get classical voice lessons from Demetra George who introduced me to a whole new level of singing."

Allison was a familiar face on The Benjamin School Music Center stage, with performing roles in BYE BYE BIRDIE (Kim MaAfee), INTO THE WOODS (Rapunzel), and WEST SIDE STORY (Maria.)

Petoskey News Review, Petoskey, MI. November 2005
by Kirsten–Fredrickson– Staff writer

NEW YORK– Former Harbor Springs resident Allison Berry, now a student at New York University, found herself on David Letterman Tuesday night after being pulled off the street.

"There were a whole bunch of people that were waiting to get in," said Berry, who happened to just be walking by. "Then a man on the street just stopped me and asked if I would be interested in helping out by being on the David Letterman show."

The 1998 Petoskey graduate was asked to join a small crowd of people outside the Hello Deli, where Letterman was taping with owner Rupert. When the owner came out of the deli looking for someone to play the game "Guess the Bulge," he picked Berry.

"The owner of the deli came out and just pointed at me. I went in and I had two seconds to collect myself then the camera was on me and we were going," she said.

Berry, who is working on her post=master's degree work in musical theatre in New York City, talked about her Northern Michigan home and her dreams of singing. That's when Letterman asked her to sing something.

"I was more excited about singing on national television then talking to David Letterman," the 24–year old said. "I'm hoping someone saw me and is willing to contact me. I was thinking about my career in the back of my head."

Berry went on to play the game, guessing correctly that the bulge in Rupert's shirt was a steak, a T–bone steak to be exact. For playing she won a fondue cooking set.

But Berry, the daughter of Karleen Sekulski of Harbor Springs and Lathrop Berry of Florida, said she's gotten much more than just her take–home prize.

"People who I haven't talked to in years have contacted me. It's weird, but it's great," she said. "It's kind of a good excuse to get back in touch with people."