Theater News

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

The short but bright career of 1960s songwriter Bert Berns is translated to the stage.

Songwriter Bert Berns, who composed the hit single "Piece of My Heart'' after which the new off-Broadway musical is titled.
Songwriter Bert Berns composed the hit single "Piece of My Heart'', which shares its title with the new off-Broadway musical about Berns' life.

Piece of My Heart, a new musical about the life and career of legendary songwriter Bert Berns, will open off-Broadway this summer. Performances are set to begin at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center on June 25 in advance of a July 21 opening.

Bert Berns, who died of a heart attack at the age of 38, became one of the most successful songwriters of the 1960s during his short career, making 51 pop chart singles in just seven years. Some of his greatest hits include "Twist and Shout," "Tell Him," "I Want Candy," "Hang On Sloopy," "Cry, Baby," and the title song, "Piece of My Heart," made famous by Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring Janis Joplin.

Piece of My Heart has a book by Daniel Goldfarb and features direction and choreography by Denis Jones. The creative team also includes Alexander Dodge (scenic design), David Woolard (costume design), Ben Stanton (lighting design), Carl Casella (sound design), Garry Sherman (music supervision and orchestrations), and Lon Hoyt (music direction).

For more information about Piece of My Heart, click here.

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