Hershey Felder News

It’s a summer “homecoming” for Goodman Theatre audiences! On July 30, Chicago’s theater since 1925 will resume live, in-person performances following a 16-month COVID-19 pandemic period of darkened stages.

Broadway might be dark, but that doesn't mean that theatre isn't happening everywhere! Below, check out where you can get your daily fix of Broadway this weekend, May 15-16, 2021.

Have you heard the one about Rachmaninoff and Anastasia? Well, Hershey Felder has quite a tale to tell you! On Sunday, May 16th, acclaimed pianist/performer Felder will portray the iconic Russian composer in Nicholas, Anna & Sergei, his latest world premiere livestream from Florence, Italy. Nicholas, Anna & Sergei explores the little-known story of a strange meeting of Russian piano virtuoso Rachmaninoff and Anna Anderson, a woman who claimed to be Princess Anastasia, the sole surviving member of the Romanov Dynasty. Set in the Beverly Hills house in which Rachmaninoff died in 1943, Nicholas, Anna & Sergei is a mesmerizing memory play imbued with the composer's most-beloved music. Presented by Hershey Felder Presents Live from Florence in conjunction with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, the show was written by Felder and directed by Felder and Italian film artist Stefano DeCarli. It promises Felder's uniquely entertaining blend of live performance, filmed elements, sumptuous visuals, gorgeous music, compelling drama and fascinating cultural history, all leavened with bits of wry humor. The production will also include guest stars such as world-famed soprano and actor Ekaterina Siurina as Natalia Alexandrovna Rachmaninoff, Klezmerata Fiorentina violinist Igor Polesitsky as Dr. Golitzin, and theatre and film actor J. Anthony Crane (who played the title role in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's Cyrano) as Tsar Nicholas II. Helen Farrell will play Anna Anderson. Nicholas, Anna & Sergei will stream live at 5pm PDT, on Sunday, May 16, 2021 (with streaming on-demand access through May 23). To purchase tickets or find more information, visit TheatreWorks.org. Ticket sales directly benefit TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. BroadwayWorld spoke with Felder last week from his home in Florence while he was in the whirlwind of creating this world premiere. We talked about the craziness of producing these incredibly complicated multimedia livestreams during Covid times, how Rachmaninoff's music and story resonates so deeply for him, and his plans for a whole new season of offerings. Felder is always a delight to talk to - instantly engaging, funny, warm and knowledgeable - and any conversation with him is apt to go off on a number of unanticipated tangents. For example, who knew that Rachmaninoff was tickled pink by Mickey Mouse playing his Prelude in C #? Felder's use of language is also uniquely musical. But then, what else would you expect from a Canadian who grew up speaking English, Yiddish and French, and is now creating his latest work in Italy surrounded by a team of Russians?

Rubicon Theatre and Hershey Felder Presents today announced details related to the World Premiere streamed film NICHOLAS, ANNA & SERGEI, a memory play with music penned by Hershey Felder and starring Felder as the famous Russian composer and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff, featuring J. Anthony Crane, Ekaterina Siurina, and Igor Poleitsky. 

San Diego Repertory Theatre and Hershey Felder Presents – Live from Florence announced today the world premiere livestream of Hershey Felder as Sergei Rachmaninoff in Nicholas, Anna & Sergei, a new streaming film written by and starring virtuoso pianist/performer Hershey Felder.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has announced Hershey Felder as Sergei Rachmaninoff in ANNA & SERGEI – Live from Florence, a world premiere live streamed musical event benefiting The Wallis

San Diego Repertory Theatre is announced today the lineup for the 28th Annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, presenting another fantastic year of Jewish music, theatre and art.

Commencing Friday, April 16 running through Sunday, April 18, Tippet Rise on Tour will premiere ten short films featuring eclectic musical performances, readings of poetry, and live discussions with some of the musicians.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will offer viewers the World Premiere livestream of Hershey Felder as Sergei Rachmaninoff in ANNA & SERGEI, a new work by and starring virtuoso pianist/performer Hershey Felder.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will offer viewers the World Premiere livestream of Hershey Felder as Sergei Rachmaninoff in ANNA & SERGEI, a new work by and starring virtuoso pianist/performer Hershey Felder.

Hershey Felder Presents – Live from Florence has announced the world premiere livestream of Hershey Felder as Sergei Rachmaninoff in Anna & Sergei, a new streaming film written by and starring virtuoso pianist/performer Hershey Felder.  

San Diego Repertory Theatre announced today the retirement of Managing Director Larry Alldredge. Having successfully led the downtown theatre through multiple construction projects and strong financial years, Alldredge will soon step down after thirteen years at the helm.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in partnership with Hershey Felder Presents Live From Florence offers streaming access for Hershey Felder as Sergei Rachmaninoff in ANNA & SERGEI.

BWW Interview: Hershey Felder of HERSHEY FELDER AS PUCCINI at Florence, Italy

Virtuoso pianist, actor and writer Hershey Felder certainly knows how to handle any curveballs life throws him. Stuck in Florence, Italy (poor guy!) for the duration of Covid, he is using his Tuscan surroundings to enrich his new show about native son Giacomo Puccini. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and Opera San José are coming together to offer viewers the world premiere livestream of Hershey Felder, PUCCINI, a new work by and starring Felder, along with guest stars from the opera world - baritone Nathan Gunn, sopranos Gianna Corbisiero and Ekaterina Siurina, and tenor Charles Castronovo. Presented by Hershey Felder Presents Live from Florence, Hershey Felder, PUCCINI tells the story of a young musician captivated by the world of opera, particularly by Puccini’s eternally popular works La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly. Sumptuously filmed and performed on location in Lucca, Italy in the very home where Giacomo Puccini was born, Hershey Felder, PUCCINI combines theatre, music and film to create a uniquely moving experience for audiences. The show will be streamed live at 5pm PST on Sunday, March 14, 2021 (with streaming on-demand access through March 21). To buy tickets or find more information, visit TheatreWorks.org or Operasj.org. Ticket sales directly benefit the arts organization through which they are purchased. BroadwayWorld spoke with Felder earlier this week from his home in Florence while he was in the midst of making final tweaks to the show. He is super fascinating and just plain fun to talk to. His knowledge of, and love for, the arts runs so deep that that I always come away from any conversation with him having learned something, having been entertained and having been moved. Much like the experience of seeing one of his shows, in fact. Underscoring everything is his irrepressible sense of humor and musical way with words.

Hershey Felder, PUCCINI is the story of a young musician in love with the world of opera, and in particular with Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly.  When, through a series of unusual circumstances, the young musician meets the musical master himself, secrets are revealed that send the young musician soaring. PUCCINI features music that is beloved and known throughout the world, from “Nessun Dorma,” to “O Mio Babbino Caro” and more.

Opera San Jose and TheatreWorks partner for Hershey Felder's Puccini, live from Florence. The performance takes place on Sunday, March 14th, 2021 at 5pm Pacific / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern, and includes extended viewing access of the recording through Sunday, March 21st.

The Ensemble Theatre Company will present the live premiere of Hershey Felder’s “Puccini,” which will stream at 5 p.m. on March 14.

San Diego Repertory Theatre and Hershey Felder Presents announced today the details of Hershey Felder, PUCCINI live from Florence, the story of a young musician who meets his musical hero. This world premiere presentation will be streamed live on Sunday, March 14 at 5 PM PDT, and will also be available as a recording until 11:59PM PDT on March 21.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announces Hershey Felder, PUCCINI, a world premiere live streamed musical event produced by HERSHEY FELDER PRESENTS – LIVE FROM FLORENCE and benefiting The Wallis, on Sunday, March 14, 2021, 5 pm Pacific, and available for on-demand streaming through Sunday, March 21.