The upcoming New Year’s Eve gala show at the Wick Theater in Boca Raton is highly unusual for both the gala’s performer, actor/singer Erich Bergen, as well as the audience.
Bergen, born and raised in New York City, will be celebrating his 37th birthday at the gala, a fundraiser for the Wick Theater, performing the songs of the singers and songwriters he and his parents remember, such as Frank Sinatra, Peter Allen, Michael Jackson, Barry Manilow, George Michael as well as the more contemporary Harry Styles, among others.
“I always loved to sing, even when I was five years old, pretending to be performing in a concert hall when I was living at home. Singing on my birthday at a glamorous venue like the Wick Theater is especially poignant because I remember, for so many years, how difficult it was to afford to celebrate my birthday with a big party, given that my birthday always fell on New Year’s Eve,” said Bergen.
Bergen has achieved success both with his ability to sing and act, portraying the role of singer/songwriter Bob Gaudio (who wrote many of the hit songs for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, such as “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”) in both the 2014 Clint Eastwood directed film “Jersey Boys” and for over one thousand performances as Gaudio in the Broadway musical Jersey Boys in addition to his role of Billy Flynn this year in the musical Chicago.
Although he played Blake Moran on television as a dramatic role for six years in Madam Secretary (2014-19), Bergen did sing memorable songs, such as “God Only Knows” and “The Way You Look Tonight” in the series.
“I had much success on Broadway, film and television, but I always savor the moments that I can appear in concert and sing to a live audience, as I have done for the past 20 years.”
Bergen has recorded several CDs writing his own songs, being inspired by Gaudio and lyricist Marty Panzer, who wrote the Kenny Rogers song “Through The Years” and the Barry Manilow songs “Even Now” and “This One’s For You.”
“I love combining a great lyric with a melody, the songs that will be remembered by audiences way into the future will be the songs with emotional lyrics that I will be performing at the Wick Theater.”
Bergen has been starring recently in many solo concerts with his band at Café Carlyle in Manhattan. South Florida audiences may fondly recall Bergen last performing in Boca Raton at Lynn University in 2018 in a tribute concert to Jan McArt.
“I performed songs from Hollywood musicals and felt much enthusiasm from the audience.”
The New Year’s Eve gala begins at 7:30 pm in the Wick Theater intimate Museum Club with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner at 8:30 pm.
The four course dinner, curated by Chef William Walden, begins with fresh Maine lobster bisque, chives, Hennessy, crème fraîche and petite salad hivernale, mixed greens, Wick Borsari Vinaigrette plus chef’s accouterments. The second course is Le Sorbet St. Odile Meyer Lemon, Vermouth, Rosemary.
The third course features carved chateaubriand and butter poached lobster, wild mushrooms, asparagus, butternut squash timbale and Irish champs.
The final course has a dessert of dark chocolate mousse Royale Chambord, raspberries, chantilly cream, mint coffee and tea selections.
Bergen performs on the theater stage at 10:30 pm, including a countdown to midnight balloon drop and after show party following the show.
Tickets for the four course dinner and after show party are $375 and $150 for the concert and after show party only at the Wick Theater, 7901 North Federal Hwy in Boca Raton. For more information and tickets, go to thewick.org or call 561-995-2333.
