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How ‘BANG!’ Doc Rescues Sixties Hitmaker Bert Berns From Obscurity

10/23/17 — Rolling Stone

Thanks to a concerted effort by his family, Berns is finally receiving that due. Respected journalist Joel Selvin’s well-received bio, Here Comes the Night: Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm and Blues, was published in 2014, followed months later by the acclaimed Off Broadway musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story. With Van Zandt leading the charge, Berns was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.

Bert Berns Tabbed for Rock Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award

1/26/16 — Los Angeles Times

Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time

8/13/15 — Rolling Stone

Steven Van Zandt, Paul Shaffer sign on to Bert Berns show

10/5/15 — ASSOCIATED PRESS

A musical celebrating the little-know songwriter Bert Berns has gotten some help from some serious musicians — Steven Van Zandt and Paul Shaffer.

Odds & Ends: Stephanie Mills Eyes The Wiz on B’way, Bebe Neuwirth & Patina Miller Sing in Prime Time & More

10/5/15 — BROADWAY.COM

No need to “Cry Baby!” Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story is still looking to land on Broadway in 2016. Steven Van Zandt, founding member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, will serve as musical director as well a producer on the project, alongside Paul Shaffer, Maureen Van Zandt and Joe Grano (Jersey Boys).

PIECE OF MY HEART: THE BERT BERNS STORY Aiming for 2016 Broadway Bow; All-Star Producers Join Team

10/5/15 — BROADWAYWORLD

Merged Work Productions (Lead Producers) and Jack Thomas (Executive Producer) have brought on music-world icons and television stars Steven Van Zandt and Paul Shaffer, along with Maureen Van Zandt and Joe Grano (Jersey Boys), for the Broadway-bound musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story as lead producers. It was also announced that Mr. Van Zandt will serve as the show’s musical director. Piece of My Heart will open on Broadway in 2016.

Broadway-Bound Piece of My Heart Adds Big Name Producers to Line-Up

10/5/15 — THEATERMANIA

Inching closer to a Broadway bow, the musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story has added a few a-listers to its above-the-title producing roster.

Steven Van Zandt set as producer, music director for new Broadway show

10/5/15 — NJ.COM

Steven Van Zandt’s wide-ranging arts resume just added a new line.

The songwriter, actor, radio DJ and E Street Band icon was announced Monday as music director for “Piece Of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story,” a theater production slated for a Broadway opening in 2016.

Denis Jones Receives Lortel Nomination

4/2/15 — BroadwayWorld

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 18 categories for the 30th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway.

Zak Resnick, Leslie Kritzer & More to Lead Industry Readings of Bert Berns Musical Piece of My Heart This Week

2/25/15 — BroadwayWorld

Merged Work Productions (lead producers) and Jack Thomas(Executive Producer) announced today that Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, the crowd-pleasing musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns that played Off-Broadway last summer, is headed for Broadway.

Bette Midler covers Bert Berns’ “Tell Him” on her new album

11/9/14 — YouTube

Piece of My Heart‘s Derrick Baskin Wins Audelco Award for Outstanding Performance in a Musical

11/19/14 — Backstage Pass with Lia Chang

Billie Holiday Theatre’s production of Cheryl L. Davis’ Maid’s Door was the big winner at Remember, Reflect, Celebrate!, the 42nd Annual Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO “VIV” Recognition Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre, held in the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space in New York, on Monday, November 17, 2014.

Another Rock ‘n’ Roll Birthplace

12/25/14 — The Wall Street Journal

In music-business lore, the stately Brill building in Midtown Manhattan has long been credited as one of the birthplaces of rock ’n’ roll—a hit-making hive where, in the 1950s and ’60s, songs popped like bright blasts of bubble gum out of its offices and studios and soared straight to the top of the radio charts.

Ace Records Releases Third Volume of ‘Bert Berns Story’

11/24/14 — Ace Records

The life and work of Bert Berns have been subject to a considerable amount of media reappraisal since we issued our second volume of his songs and productions in 2010. In recent months he has become the subject of a biography by noted music writer Joel Selvin and a stage musical based on his story enjoyed a successful run off-Broadway in New York.

THE UNTOLD STORY OF ROCK’N ROLL HITMAKER BERT BERNS UPBEAT, ENTERTAINING JUKEBOX MUSICAL COMES TO OFF-BROADWAY

9/8/14 — Millennium Magazine

The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Otis Redding, not to mention Neil Diamond and Van Morrison and of course, Janis Joplin…for sure it’s not an instant comeback to say they’re all connected to Bert Berns.

Will Beatle Paul Twist & Shout For Broadway-Bound Musical About Unknown Legend Bert Berns, Tunesmith?

9/14/14 — Deadline

Mention “Twist And Shout” to a Boomer and you’ll get a shake of the thinning hair or shaved scalp along with recollections of the Fab Four on The Ed Sullivan Show. The more knowing response may even be the Isley Brothers, who recorded it first, in 1962. Ask who wrote the iconic rock number, however, and you’re more than likely to draw a blank look. Answer: Bert Berns.

BWW Interview: Carleigh Bettiol Discusses New Role in PIECE OF MY HEART

9/11/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Carleigh Bettiol has recently stepped into the role of ‘Young Ilene’ in off-Broadway’s Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story. The new musical is based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, and is set to conclude its run this Sunday, September 14 after extending its initial run by two weeks.

Final Bow: Zak Resnick Will Leave a Piece of His Heart With Off-Broadway’s Piece of My Heart

9/9/14 — TheaterMania.com

Zak Resnick just can’t get away from 1650 Broadway. Even now that he’s no longer on the block (where he worked as a server at Stardust Diner and starred in Mamma Mia!), in some ways he’s closer than ever. Through September 14, Resnick is starring in Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story as the eponymous songwriter Bert Berns — who penned such ubiquitous hits as “Twist and Shout,” “I Want Candy,” and “Brown Eyed Girl” from his office in that same iconic building.

Interview with Zak Resnick

8/22/14 — Talkin' Broadway

Zak Resnick is rocking in the role of a lifetime: as 1960s songwriter-producer Bert Berns in Piece of My Heart at the Pershing Square Signature Center.

The ‘Heart’ of Off-Broadway

8/15/14 — Backstage.com

The Brill Building is taking over the musical stage! Already represented on Broadway by the Tony-winning “Beautiful” (Carole King) and “Jersey Boys” (the Four Seasons), the iconic songwriters’ building has now given birth to Off-Broadway’s “Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story.”

EXCLUSIVE: Classicalite Q&A with Zak Resnick, Star of ‘Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story’

8/12/14 — Classicalite.com

Zak Resnick stars as R&B songwriter and producer Bert Berns, the “forgotten man” of the classic R&B era, in the new musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, directed by Denis Jones and now extended through September 14 at the off-Broadway Pershing Square Signature Center.

Where to find the most eligible bachelors in NYC

8/10/14 — New York Post

As any old lady on the Upper West Side will tell you, “There’s a lid for every pot.” But get together with any group of single New York women, and they’ll ask: “Where are these men — er, lids — of which you speak?”

Photo Flash: Perez Hilton Visits Cast of PIECE OF MY HEART

8/6/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Pop culture icon Perez Hilton just stopped by the show and BroadwayWorld brings you photos from backstage!

For Bert Berns’ Children, A Labor Of Love

8/5/14 — The Jewish Week

They never knew their father, but the children of songwriter Bert Berns have spent the better part of a decade trying to rescue him from oblivion.

Bert Berns Musical PIECE OF MY HEART Extends Off-Broadway Through 9/14

8/4/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Merged Work Productions and Jack Thomas announced today that Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, the crowd-pleasing new musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, will extend its current run two extra weeks, and play its final performance on Sunday, September 14.

Off-Broadway’s Piece of My Heart Extends at the Pershing Square Signature Center

8/4/14 — TheaterMania.com

The off-Broadway production of Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story has extended its run at The Pershing Square Signature Center through Sunday, September 14.

Piece of My Heart, Starring Zak Resnick, Leslie Kritzer & Teal Wicks, Extends Off-Broadway

8/4/14 — Broadway.com

Come on and take it…for a little bit longer! Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story has extended its off-Broadway run at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

‘Piece Of My Heart’ Brings Bert Berns’ Little-Known Story To The Stage

8/3/14 — WCBS

A new off-Broadway musical is based on the short life of a songwriter and music producer from the Bronx.

Photos! Bette Midler Visits Her Former Harlette Linda Hart & the Cast of Piece of My Heart

7/30/14 — Broadway.com

Bette Midler took a field trip to the Pershing Square Signature Center to catch Piece of My Heart and visit a dear friend—Linda Hart, who appeared in Midler’s trio of backup singers, the Harlettes, in the ‘70s and ’80s.

Piece of My Heart Star Teal Wicks Takes on Six Questions About the Swinging ‘60s

7/30/14 — BroadwayBox.com

Teal Wicks (Wicked, Jekyll & Hyde) is heating up the stage this summer in the ’60s musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story. The killer beltress hops in the BroadwayBox time machine for six questions about the 1960s.

In Performance: de’Adre Aziza of ‘Piece of My Heart’

7/29/14 — The New York Times

In this week’s video, the actress de’Adre Aziza sings “Are You Lonely For Me” from “Piece of My Heart,” a new jukebox musical about the life of the songwriter Bert Berns, whose hits include “I Want Candy,” “Twist and Shout” and “Hang On Sloopy.”

Party Like a Rock Legend with the Cast of Piece of My Heart on Opening Night

7/22/14 — Broadway.com

BWW TV: PIECE OF MY HEART Company Celebrates Bert Berns on Opening Night!

7/22/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, a new musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, produced by Merged Work Productions (lead producers) and Jack Thomas (Executive Producer), opened last night, July 21, 2014, at the The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

Photo Coverage: Zak Resnick, Teal Wicks, Leslie Kritzer & PIECE OF MY HEART Cast Celebrate Opening Night!

7/22/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, a new musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, produced by Merged Work Productions (lead producers) and Jack Thomas (Executive Producer), opened last night, July 21, 2014, at the The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

BWW Interview: Zak Resnick Talks the Thrills of Sharing Bert Berns’ Story in PIECE OF MY HEART!

7/21/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

As previews were wrapping up last week, Zak Resnick chatted with BroadwayWorld about the impending opening of Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, what it’s like playing such a complex character, and much more.

Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, Starring Zak Resnick, Leslie Kritzer & Teal Wicks, Opens Off-Broadway

7/21/14 — Broadway.com

Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story celebrates its official opening night on July 21 at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center. The off-Broadway bio-musical, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones, stars Zak Resnick as the titular songwriter.

This Week’s Picks! Light the Torch with Patti LuPone, Feel the ’60s Beat & Lose Yourself at Lear

7/20/14 — Broadway.com

If you’ve seen Jersey Boys and Beautiful so often you’re combing your hair in a pompadour and making daily trips to the Brill Building, it’s time to check out Piece of My Heart.

Musical ‘Piece of My Heart’ Examines Bert Berns’ Songwriting Career

7/18/14 — The Wall Street Journal

The man who wrote the songs “Twist and Shout,” “Piece of My Heart,” and “I Want Candy” isn’t in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, or in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but he does have a new musical, a new book, and an upcoming documentary all coming out within the next year.

Many-Hit Wonder, Out of Obscurity: Bert Berns, Songwriter and Producer, Remembered

7/16/14 — The New York Times

Even in his mid-1960s heyday, Bert Berns was barely known beyond the obsessives who studied songwriters’ and producers’ credits on 45 r.p.m. records and LP album jackets. But now, Bert Berns is having a moment. On Monday, a new musical named for another of his well-known songs, “Piece of My Heart,” opens Off Broadway at the Pershing Square Signature Center.

Piece of My Heart: Quick Questions With Leslie Kritzer and Teal Wicks

7/17/14 — The Huffington Post

Both leading ladies participate in a recurring feature where the author asks actors random, often silly, questions taken directly from the subject matter or text of the show.

BWW TV: Watch Highlights of Zak Resnick & More in PIECE OF MY HEART!

7/15/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, a new musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, is currently in previews at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center, with an official opening night set for July 21, 2014.

Something to Twist & Shout About

7/1/14 — Playbill Magazine

What Rolling Stone called “one of the great untold stories of rock and roll” is finally being told.

Five Burning Questions with Piece of My Heart Star Zak Resnick

7/9/14 — BroadwayBox.com

Zak Resnick is giving a breakout performance that just can’t be missed in the new off-Broadway musical Piece of My Heart. The young Mamma Mia! vet brings major star quality and killer vocals to the central role of Bert Berns, the man behind some of the biggest hit songs of the 1960s.

Piece of My Heart: Show Photos

7/3/14 — Broadway.com

A biographical musical about the life of ’60s songwriter Bert Berns.

Photo Flash: First Look at Zak Resnick, Teal Wicks & More in PIECE OF MY HEART!

7/3/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, a new musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, is currently in previews at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center, with an official opening night set for July 21, 2014. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action!

Piece of My Heart Brings the Bert Berns Story to the Stage, Now in Previews Off-Broadway

6/25/14 — Broadway.com

Come on and take it! Tickets are now available for Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, which begins performances on June 25.

Um, Can We Talk About Zak Resnick & The Smoking Hot Cast of Piece Of My Heart?

6/19/14 — BroadwayBox.com

The new musical Piece of My Heart is about to begin performances off-Broadway, and we are just dead on the floor after looking at these gorgeous promo shots by Jenny Anderson.

Photo Coverage: First Look at the Company of PIECE OF MY HEART: THE BERT BERNS STORY

6/18/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, an upcoming new musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, begins previews at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center on June 25, 2014, with an official opening night set for July 21, 2014.

Bert Berns: the man behind 51 pop hits

6/17/14 — The Telegraph

Twist and Shout, Under the Boardwalk, Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, Piece of My Heart, Brown Eyed Girl and Hang on Sloopy. They are seminal pop hits and all involved, either as songwriter, producer or arranger, a man called Bert Berns. But how many people know about Berns, who was behind 51 hits in just seven years from 1961. That is poised to change with a new musical, Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, which opens in previews on June 25 and will be running Off-Broadway from July 21 at The Pershing Square Signature Centre, New York.

Hot Stuff

6/16/14 — Newsday

The little-known biography of the ’60s composer who wrote more than 50 pop hits in 17 years, has been made into a new musical at Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 W. 42nd St.

On the Town

6/15/14 — Black Tie Magazine

A press preview of the new Off-Broadway musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story was held at The Rehearsal Studio of the Pershing Square Signature Center.

First Look at ‘Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story’ (Exclusive)

6/13/14 — The Hollywood Reporter

The songwriter and record producer’s children, Brett and Cassie Berns, are mounting a jukebox bio-musical on their late father’s life, hoping it will add to his legacy.

BWW TV: Exclusive Sneak Peek of New Musical PIECE OF MY HEART

6/15/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

New musical shines spotlight on forgotten composer Bert Berns

6/12/14 — Reuters

Hits such as “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Twist and Shout” and “Hang on Sloopy” made Bert Berns one of his era’s most successful songwriters and producers before he died in 1968, yet few people outside the music industry ever knew about him. That could change with a new musical, “Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story” which begins previews on June 25 and opens Off-Broadway on July 21.

Photo Coverage: Meet the Cast of PIECE OF MY HEART: THE BERT BERNS STORY

6/12/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Casts of ON THE TOWN, GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY & More Set for BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK; Full 2014 Schedule Announced!

6/11/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Today, 106.7 LITE FM announced the return of its much-anticipated, annual lunchtime theatre summer series, ‘106.7 LITE FM’s Broadway in Bryant Park.’ The 2014 program will present the best of Broadway, FREE to the public, on six consecutive Thursdays beginning July 10 at 12:30 p.m. on the Bryant Park Stage.

Obscure Producer’s Clear Impact On ‘The Dirty Business’ Of R&B

5/25/14 — NPR

Many of the hit-making songwriters of the 1960s are remembered by name: Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Lennon-McCartney, Holland-Dozier-Holland. But the man who wrote (or co-wrote) classics like “Twist and Shout,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Hang on Sloopy,” “I Want Candy” and “Here Comes the Night” remains unknown to all but the most ardent music fans.

The Beat of Berns

5/14/14 — Bronx Free Press

Burt Berns loved music, probably more than anything else. Berns is the subject of a new biography, an Off-Broadway musical and a forthcoming documentary.

Full Casting Announced for Off-Broadway’s Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story

5/13/14 — TheaterMania.com

Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, an upcoming musical based on the life of the legendary songwriter, has announced its full cast.

Zak Resnick, Leslie Kritzer, de’Adre Aziza, Teal Wicks and More to Star in PIECE OF MY HEART; Full Cast Announced, Rehearsals Begin Today!

5/13/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

The full cast has been announced for Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, an upcoming new musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns.

New biography, musical explores unknown hitmaker Bert Berns

5/3/14 — CBS This Morning

You may not know his name, but you sure know his songs. After years in the shadows, Berns is now the subject of a new book, an upcoming Broadway musical, and a documentary film.

Zak Resnick, Linda Hart, Leslie Kritzer & More to Star in Signature’s Bert Berns Musical PIECE OF MY HEART

4/28/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

Producers Merged Work Productions and Jack Thomas announced today the cast of the upcoming new musical, Piece of My Heart, based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns.

Leslie Kritzer, Teal Wicks, Zak Resnick & More Set For Piece of My Heart Off-Broadway

4/28/14 — Broadway.com

Stage favorites Leslie Kritzer (Legally blonde, Hairspray), Teal Wicks (Wicked) and Zak Resnick (Mamma Mia!) will appear in the previously announced Piece of My Heart, a new biographic musical about the life and songs of songwriter Bert Berns.

Let Paul McCartney Introduce You To Bert Berns, The Best Songwriter You’ve Never Heard Of

3/18/14 — Time Magazine

Meet the little-known songwriter behind “Twist & Shout,” “Brown-Eyed Girl” and many more hits.

New Musical PIECE OF MY HEART, Featuring Music of Bert Berns, to Open at Signature Center this Summer

3/13/14 — BroadwayWorld.com

A new musical based on the life and songs of legendary songwriter Bert Berns will open Off Broadway this summer, Merged Work Productions (lead producers) and Jack Thomas (Executive Producer) announced today.

Bert Berns Musical Piece of My Heart to Open Off-Broadway This Summer

3/13/14 — TheaterMania.com

Piece of My Heart, a new musical about the life and career of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, will open off-Broadway this summer.

Piece of My Heart, a Musical about Hit maker Bert Berns, Set for Off-Broadway

3/13/14 — Broadway.com

The New York stage can’t get enough stories about songwriters (think Beautiful, Motown, and Jersey Boys), and now there’s a new one on its way.

Hitmaker’s Tunes Lead to Jukebox Musical

3/13/14 — The New York Times

A new jukebox musical about the 1960s-era songwriter and record producer Bert Berns, featuring hits including “Twist and Shout,” “I Want Candy” and “Hang On, Sloopy,” will begin a commercial Off Broadway run at Signature Center on June 25 and open on July 21, the producers announced on Thursday.