HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN Extends Into May at Royal George Theatre

With its continuing success both nationwide and here in Chicago, the smash hit Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin is extending its return to the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St. Chicago, until Sunday, May 22, 2016. The Chicago presentation will immediately be followed by a special One-Night-Only New York Presentation at The Town Hall on June 6, 2016, broadcast internationally by the WFMT Radio Network with the entire Berlin family in attendance.

Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin has previously played to rave reviews and broken box office records at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse, Chicago's Royal George Theatre, the La Jolla Playhouse and Boston's Majestic Theatre among others. Future engagements are planned throughout the United States and abroad. David C. Nichols of The Los Angeles Times wrote "that indefatigable purveyor of composers, Hershey Felder, applies his singular blend of musical biography, character study and piano virtuosity toward the iconic songwriter. The empathy, showmanship and craft on tap may just be the best match of historical figure and performing artist yet." Chris Jones writing in The Chicago Tribune raved "Felder is the impresario whose relationship with audiences is long-standing, intimate and mutually adoring. Felder does his good guy proud."

Jerome Kern famously said, "Irving Berlin has no place in American music-he is American music." George Gershwin called him "the greatest songwriter that has ever lived." Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin brings the man behind the iconic music to life in an evening reflecting his remarkable journey from child immigrant to America's most beloved and prolific songwriter. From Tin Pan Alley to Carnegie Hall, from The Great White Way to The Silver Screen, and from the pop charts to the steps of the nation's capital, Berlin's music provided America with the soundtrack of a century. Berlin's catalogue includes over 1,500 songs, 18 Broadway shows, 16 feature films, 232 top 10 hits and 10 #1 hits. The songs have been performed by a diverse list of artists including: Fred Astaire, Aretha Franklin, Ethel Merman, Willie Nelson, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Luciano Pavarotti, Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Barbra Streisand, Billie Holiday, Marilyn Monroe, and Lady Gaga. The evening features some of the composer's most popular and enduring songs including "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Always," "Blue Skies," "God Bless America," "Puttin' on the Ritz," "There's No Business Like Show Business," and "White Christmas."

"I am thrilled to return to Chicago," says Felder- "to perform the role of IRVING BERLIN on the same stage and in the city I call my theatrical home. To be able to create the character of Irving Berlin- America's most beloved composer, in a time when there is so much in question about the future of this magnificent country is an honor. The life and art of Irving Berlin is a musical story that reminds us all of this incredible country, and the remarkable people who built it."

Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin features a scenic design by Felder, lighting design by Richard Norwood, projection design by Christopher Ash and Lawrence Siefert, and sound design/production management by Erik Carstensen. The show is produced by Eva Price, Samantha F. Voxakis and Karen Racanelli.

Photos Courtesy of Eighty-Eight Entertainment

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