Michael Allen Harrison and Alan Berg established Harrison-Berg Presents to bring their award winning musical Soul Harmony to a national audience. Soul Harmony is a transformative musical in the traditon of Showboat, South Pacific and La Cage au Folles. Bringing the classic songs of Deborah, Sonny and the Orioles to life for a new generation. With a score of new award winning songs Soul Harmony takes a deep dive into the racism of its time and resonates profoundly with our own with a shattering and healing true story.
- We are asking your help in the casting and production costs as we look forward to our first national premier. We believe Soul Harmony is heading straight for its ultimate goal, to entertain with a story that is life changing for the audience and returns Sonny Til to his rightful place in musical history. Both Deborah Chessler and Sonny Til's families have been at the heart of the creation of Soul Harmony. Sonny's grandson De'Sean Dooley portrays Sonny and has his grandfather's musical power. Monica Rodrigues portrayal of Deborah Chessler has been called 'spot-on' by Deborah's daughter Wendy, and historic R&B radio host, and archivist, Charlie Horner.
- Help to reach a national audience and support our vision to help heal the world. We believe many will find their own story in Soul Harmony. The show entertains on a theatrically extraordinary level, presents important history and communicates directly to people's heart's and the concerns of today.
What We Need & What You Get
Break it down for folks in more detail:
- Our goal is to raise $50,000 in funding for preproduction costs, cast salaries, set and costume design and creation, publishing musical charts and scripts.
- To thank you for helping us create and present Soul Harmony we have created fabulous perks that include great seats for you, giving the gift of students attending Soul Harmony. You can enjoy an evening with our artists in your home or selected setting, receive private recordings from newly opened Sonny Til archives, and the original cast album. Ten Percent of all funds raised will be given to a local West Chester food bank.
- All funds raised will be used for the West Chester production of Soul Harmony.
The Impact
- Soul Harmony not only brings to the stage an extraordinary and largely lost story of American history of the Orioles rise to change modern music, but reveals the game changing partnership between a Jewish woman and five great African-American artists. It challenges racism and anti-semitism, as Deborah and the Orioles did. There is no story like this, and you can give it life and power on the stage. Michael Allen Harrison and Alan Berg have a consistent record of musical successes. Between them they have received 15 musical theater awards. Their three shows have all had a powerful impact bringing hope and joy to thousands and they both truly believe Soul Harmony and it's powerful music will deliver an inspiring message for change.
Risks & Challenges
We are in a process of bringing together our first national production. We have chosen our site carefully and the people at Uptown! Entertainment Alliance in West Chester are very creative and friendly partners. We have developed a 'brain trust' to step forward. Michael Allen Harrison brings extensive experience in major productions, and Alan Berg brings major project management experience. We wrote the show, we believe deeply in it. As does our cast. We need your support to give Soul Harmony a chance to change lives and create an evening that make people understand and believe in the power of theater.
Other Ways You Can Help
We invite everyone to share the message of our show, to go to the Uptown Website and buy tickets now, and to let us know if you know people who would like to go and need a ticket.
With extreme gratitude,
Michael and Alan
