Neil Berg, Composer, Lyricist and Producer: Talks at GS Session Highlights

Neil Berg's Background and Entry into Theater

• Berg began piano lessons at age 10 only after a teacher bribed him with a puppy; prior to this, he had discontinued lessons due to a strict instructor who punished wrong notes.
• Berg originally enrolled in college to play baseball and planned to inherit a law practice or real estate business (his mother was a broker).
• He was a literature major with a minor in theater, viewing writing as "the art of BS" while pursuing non-artistic career paths.
• Berg wrote his first university-produced musical without intending to pursue music professionally but experienced an emotional breakthrough, crying backstage for 20 minutes upon completion.
• His parents initially disapproved of his decision to abandon law school and real estate to write musical theater.

Philosophy on Career Choices and Industry Realities

• Berg advises aspiring artists that one should only choose theater over other professions (e.g., medicine or law) if they feel they have "no choice" in the matter.
• He defines the artist's life as an all-encompassing journey involving research, reading, and constant observation of off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions.
• Networking is described as critical; Berg advises professionals to attend shows and network with peers rather than passively consuming media like television.
• The development process involves a series of readings to test material, with an estimated 100 potential new shows undergoing readings in New York at any given time.
• Successful production requires the functional alignment of approximately 50 collaborators, where a single breakdown in the "marriage" of talents can collapse the entire project.
• Casting and creative roles require precise matching; Berg emphasizes that theater concepts often remain undefined until actors actually read lines and sing songs.

Development of "The 12" (Rock Musical about the Apostles)

• Berg's current project, a rock musical titled "The 12," opened in Denver in the spring and won the 2015 Henry Award for best play or musical.
• The show's creation began with an idea about the apostles but failed initially because the chemistry between Berg and his first assigned writer was absent; the writer felt the energy was missing despite no specific error being committed.
• Berg spent time developing ideas independently before seeking a new collaborator, eventually connecting with Robert Schenken, a Pulitzer, Emmy, and Tony Prize winner.
• The partnership required Berg to discard existing musical compositions, including some he considered his best work, to align with Schenken's book and storytelling vision.
• Berg and Schenken traveled between New York and Seattle to ensure their creative collaboration and egos were aligned for the long-term partnership.
• The creative process involved a strict hierarchy where the "book" (dialogue and story structure) often dictates musical placement, challenging the public perception that the music is the primary driver of a musical.

Structural Mechanics of Musical Storytelling

• Berg outlines a specific structural formula for successful musicals: the opening song typically establishes a central theme, while the second or third song functions as an "I want" song.
• The "I want" song serves to reveal the lead character's desires, subconsciously compelling the audience to root for the protagonist within the first ten minutes of the performance.
• Internal readings with actors are conducted to test how the music and book interact before a full production is mounted.

Forward-Looking Statement

• Berg declined to disclose details regarding his next project, stating he intends to leave the "canvas blank" with many possibilities available.