BBW Review: HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN, Audiences Will Be Loving You, Always

You are never truly alone, not when you are in the company of a song, the great American songbook composer and lyricist reminds the opening night's audience of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin at the Temple of Music and Art in downtown Tucson. It is a statement that rings true throughout the evening as patrons find themselves coming together to hum and sing along to Berlin's classics when invited -- and spontaneously, as well.

Leading this history enriched performance with such strong stage presence, Hershey Felder (Irving Berlin/Playwright) returns to the Arizona Theatre Company in this one-man play, having previously performed with the ATC in George Gershwin Alone and Monsieur Chopin during the 2007-2008 season;, and Beethoven As I Knew Him in 2008-2009. Felder brings the wonderful story and enduring music of America's Composer to life vibrantly, embodying the American dream of a hard-working man, who was so capable of loving deeply, whether it be his family, his work, or his country.

Not only does he do justice to Berlin's life, but Felder also takes audiences on an incredible voyage as a young boy leaving Czarist Russia to New York's Lower East Side and beyond. Through his brilliant acting, the audience witnesses Berlin's radiant transformation into a captivating performer, pianist, and storyteller. Aiding in this transformation is the work of lighting designer and projection designer, Richard Norwood and Andrew Wilder, respectfully; the mixture of both mediums allows the various emotions expressed in Felder's words to be felt with more gusto, as audience members see more into the joys and sorrow of Berlin's life.

It is an enjoyable evening of theatre sure to cause good ol' reminiscing as Felder plays and sings through classic Berlin songs, such as "God Bless America," "Always," and "White Christmas" -- and as you leave, you can help but continue to hum along to your favorite Berlin tune, wishing that there had been just a bit more of this intermission-less two hour show. Perhaps it will give you an incentive to return to the theatre for another around, as Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin runs until October 4th at the Temple of Music and Art in Tucson (perhaps, even, to the special sing-along performance on Saturday, October 1st at 1pm).

This production is made possibly and sponsored by BFC BeachFleischman. Tickets start at $23 and can be purchased at the box office, via telephone at (520) 622-2823, or online at www.arizonatheatre.org. The Pay What You Can performance is September 22nd at 7:30pm with tickets available for a suggested donation of $10 (purchased in cash at the box office one hour prior to curtain; two tickets max per person). Discounted rates are available at all performances to seniors and active military members. Students can purchase $10 tickets at all performances and half-price rush tickets are available for balcony seats one hour prior to curtain.

Following the production of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin will be the Arizona premiere of Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced (Oct 17th - Nov 7th); Stephen Schwartz's new musical, Snapshots (Nov 29th - Dec 19th); August Wilson's Fences (Jan 16th 2016 - Feb 2nd); the recent off Broadway hit, Sex With Men (Feb 11th - 21st); John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men (March 5th - 26th); and the 2015-2016 will come to a close with Scott Carter's new play: the Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord (April 9th - 30th).

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