The New Berlin Village Voices performers performed many songs at the Cultural Centers Cabaret show. The Village Voices include:  Front Row: Isabel Mendoza, Micaelina Velardi; Second row: Monty Stein, Danielle Crozier, Sheri Christian, Andreia Keller (Cultural Center Director); Third row: Meredith Baio, Jeff Keller, Tony Canuel, and Don Brown. Missing from the picture is musical accompanist, George Anderson. (Submitted photo)

NEW BERLIN – The Cultural Center presented The Broadway Cabaret show starring The Village Voices last weekend.

The Village Voices is a group of eight vocalists that live in or are connected to New Berlin and who have been working with Jeff and Andreia Keller; both accomplished talents in the music and arts.

The two-night show sold out almost immediately but due to quick thinking, an afternoon dress rehearsal for the public was added. 

The show included songs from a variety of musicals such as Funny Girl, Showboat, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Les Miserable, and more. 

Center Organizer Andreia Keller said, “The theme was “Broadway” with a variety of songs and scenes from different Broadway shows. My husband Jeff sang his trademark Music of the Night while wearing his original mask from his Phantom of the Opera performances on Broadway.”

Jeff also produced and directed the show which was the third performance for the New Berlin Cultural center; still in its first year.

Andreia explained the shows are always performed at The Cultural Center which is located in the Episcopal Church. This was their third show in the Cabaret series and performers are growing to different levels since the first show (The Xmas Concert).

“It’s all in an effort to fill an artistic void within the New Berlin community and all of the singers clearly could be auditioning for Broadway,” she said.

Village of New Berlin Mayor Peter Lennon said he believes that the Keller’s boundless energy, god-given talent, creativity, and their obvious love for their new hometown have produced more than a facility and more than a program.

“They have kindled a new and very positive light that now shines brightly in the New Berlin Community,” said Lennon.

Area resident Beverly Lenz Fagan said, “What a great show and so many beautiful voices and talent. I felt like I was at a Broadway show in NYC. Lucky for us it was right here in New Berlin. Truly Amazing.”

The mini theater inside the Cultural Center was dazzling with set designs, lighting, and residents packed in for evening entertainment. Amongst the crowd were the Golden family, Chobani, and Mayor Peter Lennon and his wife Elaine.

“This village is absolutely amazing,” said Andreia. “It's a beautiful storybook village; but in a lot of ways, people don't see that. That's what we want to show them.”

Andreia and Jeff Keller spear headed the idea for the Cultural Center. They moved from New Jersey to New Berlin in recent years during COVID and brought their artistic talent with them. 

  Andreia Keller ran a dance studio in New Jersey as professional dancer and artist. She was born in Brazil and at the age of 6 and began training in all forms of dance. 

Her accomplishments range from creating award-winning choreography to producing one of the most well-known dance festivals in Brazil. Along her journey, she discovered painting and has been in several galleries in the USA, Brazil and in the Orlando Museum of Art in Florida. She is proud to call New Berlin her home and has now added artisanal bread making to her list of achievements.

Singer, Actor Jeff Keller was one of the original cast members of “ Phantom of the Opera” and the first American to play The Phantom on Broadway. Amongst his Broadway accomplishments, he also performed with the Princeton Symphony, Arkansas Symphony and Albany Symphony. His vocal skills are now being shared and taught to the community.

The Cultural Center was created with the objective of embracing the community by sharing and teaching many aspects of art, craft, dancing and through the use of classes, events, festivals and workshops.

To learn more about the Cultural Center visit their facebook at  CulturalCenter@St.Andrew's for further information.