Singer and actress Jan Gelberman was a five year old in Queens, New York when she made the decision to be an entertainer when she grew up. Her youthful epiphany came as she watched Roy Rogers and Dale Evans on TV with her grandmother. Considering her inspiration, the entertainment community is lucky Jan didn’t choose to become a cowgirl instead. The only public performing experience Jan had by the time she was old enough to pursue her dream independently was her recitation of Emma Lazarus’ famous poem “The New Colossus” in front of her third grade class. On that heady day, encouraged by her teacher Mrs. Herzlich, Jan felt confident she’d made the right decision three years earlier. But the dreams and whims and innocence of childhood took a backseat to cold, hard reality in New York City in the decade after WWII ended. Life was tough on families and Jan’s mother and father both worked to make ends meet. Jan, rather than risk discouragement or appear frivolous, kept her intentions secret and formulated her plan. After graduating from John Bowne High School, Jan went to work as a secretary for American International Pictures. With an income of her own, she was eager to begin her professional studies, and with no contacts in the business Jan turned to the Yellow Pages to find her very first voice teacher, Jerry Bragin.
   Within a few years of beginning voice studies with Mr. Bragin and acting studies at HB Studios, Jan was auditioning regularly. Her first big break came when she was cast as the Wicked Witch of the West in a National Tour of The Wizard Of Oz. When the tour ended, Jan resumed auditioning for work in theater, television, film, and commercials. She networked, worked as an executive secretary, “waited for the phone to ring” and studied. Studying was what led Jan to her chance meeting with Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman one day in a synagogue where she was attending an acting class. When Jan ran into the Rabbi it was pretty much love at first sight, despite a great difference in their ages. Jan was attracted to the man’s gentle, soulful demeanor, and after a friendship turned into a courtship, the two were married on September 22, 1976.
   Shortly after she married, Jan began to study with Ellie Ellsworth, who taught acting for singers. Jan credits Ellsworth with the second turning point in her life after Joseph Gelberman. “Ellie,” says Jan, “quite simply stripped me bare.” After her studies with Ellsworth, Jan felt unstoppable, and she began working continually.
   Both Jan and her husband came to their marriage with non-traditional beliefs. Jan, despite a great love of children, was very content with her personal decision to choose career over motherhood, and she knew a husband of hers would have to be content with that, too. Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman is known for pioneering work in the interfaith movement, and he holds status as a Master-teacher in the tradition of Neo-Hasidic mysticism and Kabbalah. In a scenario that probably deviates from what most people believe marriage to a famous rabbi would entail, Jan and her husband both pursue their professional best and live in support of each other’s dreams. For Jan, pursuing her professional best has landed her roles in dozens of films such as The Brave One, The Nanny Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada and Music And Lyrics, and TV Shows Law and Order, Rescue Me and The Sopranos. On stage, Jan has played classic roles such as Arkadina in The Seagull, Hecuba in The Trojan Women and Gertrude in Hamlet, as well as musical characters Sonia Walsk in They’re Playing Our Song and Gittel Mosca in SeeSaw, among many, many more.
   When Jan Gelberman reflects today on her resolute and naive beginning, it’s delightful to discover she is a bit surprised to be living her dream in the great city of New York. With dozens of New York and Regional Theater credits, National Tours and film and television roles on her resume, Jan stays busy in a capricious business. Add to that her successful marriage to an unusual Rabbi, and it’s clear Jan Gelberman has created a life that’s slightly charmed and very blessed. Small wonder the name of her new CD (her third) is WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE (Original Cast Records-2007). Recorded in New Jersey with her musical director Keith Hermann (Cats, Godspell, Romance, Romance), WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE is a unique collection of tunes interpreted by Jan Gelberman with taste and style. The recording also introduces her niece, Hope Mirlis. Ms. Mirlis, who received a B.A. in theater from Emory College in Atlanta, is currently in a Masters program at UC Davis. She solos on two of the CD’s 10 tracks (“Desperado” and “I Wanna Be Loved By You”) and also joins her aunt Jan in a duet on “Lookin’ For Love.” WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE follows 2000’s COUNT ON ME and 2002’s WITH LOVE TO SHARE, all of which are Gelberman/Hermann collaborations. Jan’s song selections are guided by Hermann, who Jan considers one of her most important musical mentors (and turning point number three in her life). In fact, Hermann’s compositions “Another Life,” from Onward Victoria, and “The Night It Had To End” from Romance, Romance are included on COUNT ON ME, and “Words She Didn’t Say” from Romance, Romance is included on WITH LOVE TO SHARE. “Keith Hermann has fulfilled my musical dreams,” says Jan. “He was the first accompanist I worked with who truly took an interest in what I wanted, and he has helped me bring those dreams to life.” Who could ask for anything more, indeed!
   When choosing music Jan is always attracted first to melody, then to lyrics and in general. She includes music across the emotional spectrum: uplifting lyrics find a home next to torch and swing in Jan’s elegant repertoire. On 2002’s WITH LOVE TO SHARE, Jan turned to writing to make some sense of the events of 9/11/2001, and the result is the title song, a Gelberman/Hermann collaboration. “With Love To Share” is an uplifting, positive statement about the basic goodness of people. Jan’s decision to record the song with a children’s choir brings that message to life.
   Jan Gelberman’s intention for the future is to continue uncovering the truth in all areas of acting and singing. She is currently studying at the Singer’s Forum, and looking forward to bringing beautifully written words and music to the public fore at every opportunity.