Photo Flash: Pasadena Playhouse's GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) presents a one-night-only live broadcast of the 10th anniversary presentation of George Gershwin ALONE, created by and starring Hershey Felder. This special event will be broadcast live on 98.7 WFMT in Chicago and syndicated globally by the WFMT Radio Network at 7:00 pm PDT on Monday, May 2, 2011. The local Los Angeles area broadcast will be carried on KMZT (K-Mozart) 1260 AM.

"I am very excited to be able to bring this work to life one final time under these wonderful circumstances." Hershey Felder commented, regarding the WFMT broadcast, "to be able to broadcast this music so beloved by the world audience, the way George Gershwin did first on the WJZ network and later on CBS in his legendary radio appearances in the 1930's, will hopefully add a very exciting dimension by taking us back to the way music and theatre were broadcast when Gershwin himself was alive."

WFMT Radio Network is the leading producer and distributor of classical music radio programming in the U.S. for more than 30 years, and is one of world's most well-regarded sources for fine arts radio programming. The Network broadcasts the world's leading symphony orchestras, (The New York Philharmonic, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Los Angeles Philharmonic and others) along with the nation's leading opera companies, chamber music ensembles and special music programs.

"The WFMT Radio Network is pleased once again to work with Hershey Felder on George Gershwin ALONE," said Steve Robinson, General Manager of WFMT and the WFMT Radio Network. "I have seen this show many, many times, in Cambridge, Chicago and Los Angeles, and each time I come away with a fresh appreciation of Hershey's unique talents and abilities. His shows draw in new audiences to classical music, and listeners throughout the country have responded with enthusiasm to his work. We're eager to bring this 10th anniversary broadcast to a global audience," he added.

"I am thrilled that this broadcast will expose Hershey's wonderful show and Gershwin's musical genius to a wider audience." said Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. "I know that listeners will appreciate this opportunity to learn more about George Gershwin's life, his art and the creation of his incredible body of music."

George Gershwin ALONE is written and performed by Hershey Felder and directed by Joel Zwick. Scenic design is by Yael Pardess with lighting design by Michael T. Gilliam and assistant lighting design by Margaret Hartmann. Broadway production sound design by Jon Gottlieb, and costume design is by Ermengildo Zegna. Production Stage Manager is GiGi Garcia with Production Manager/Technical Director Matt Marsden.

George Gershwin ALONE, Hershey Felder's first theatrical work (followed by Monsieur Chopin; Beethoven, As I Knew Him; MAESTRO, The Art of Leonard Bernstein and the recently released An American Story for actor and orchestra with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), is a play with music about the legendary American composer, George Gershwin. The show incorporates the Gershwin's best-known songs, from "The Man I Love" and "Someone to Watch Over Me," through passages and songs from An American in Paris and Porgy and Bess, to a complete performance of "Rhapsody in Blue." The first popular composer to use jazz as the foremost musical element in the serious concert hall, Gershwin absorbed the musical styles, rhythms and sophistication of the American spirit and created a musical language that made its mark on both classical and popular music throughout the world. Actor, playwright and Steinway concert artist Hershey Felder brings to life the spirit and talent of the legendary composer and pianist, leading audiences through the fascinating rhythms of Gershwin's legendary songbook, while telling the tale of his tragically short life. This critically and popularly acclaimed work has enjoyed more than 2,750 worldwide performances from California to South Korea and was developed at Los Angeles' Tiffany Theatre in 2000. It has also been performed at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse in 2007-2008 (Ovation Award-winner for Best Musical and Best Actor in A Musical.)

Critical praise for George Gershwin ALONE include: "In an act of uncanny evocation that more often than not appears to verge on full-fledged channeling, the quadruple-threat performer Hershey Felder - a Canadian-bred actor, singer, pianist and writer, and all of the first order - has brought the quintessential American composer back to life." (Chicago Sun-Times); "Felder effectively conveys the emotional roots and resonance of Gershwin's music." (USA Today); and "George Gershwin Alone makes a great case for his subject as the American Mozart" (NY Times).

Tickets for the May 2 broadcast of George Gershwin ALONE are available for $55.00 - $75.00 with Premium Seating offered at $100.00 through The Pasadena Playhouse box office, online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org or by phone at 626-356-7529 .

In addition to the George Gershwin ALONE engagement, The Pasadena Playhouse will present one performance of Hershey Felder's Great American Songbook Sing-Along on Monday, May 9, 2011. Audiences will join Hershey Felder for a tour through an entire century of American music. Beginning with Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and the Gershwins through Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, featuring selections from The Sound of Music, Showboat, Fiddler on the Roof and more. Ticket prices are $39.00 - $59.00 with Premium Seating available for $100.00 and may be purchased through The Pasadena Playhouse box office, phone lines or online.

Photo Credit: Mark Garvin

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