Hershey Felder Returns to the Old Globe in July

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the return of actor, playwright and Steinway concert artist Hershey Felder in a trio of his critically-acclaimed solo shows. Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone delighted San Diego audiences in 2006 and 2008 and due to popular demand will be revived for 13 performances from July 1 - 10. Felder will lead audiences on a musical journey through a century of American music in Hershey Felder in Concert: The Great American Songbook Sing-Along from July 11 - 17. The latest addition to Felder's ambitious "Composers Sonata," Hershey Felder in Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein, will receive its Globe debut from July 22 - Aug. 28. Previews run July 22 - July 28. Opening night is July 29. Both George Gershwin Alone and Maestro are directed by Joel Zwick. All three events will run in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Single tickets range from $39 - $90 and may be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office.

Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein marks Felder and Zwick's fourth collaboration at The Old Globe. Globe audiences have previously enjoyed George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin and Beethoven, As I Knew Him - all part of Felder's "Composers Sonata" in which the lives of legendary composers are celebrated through narrative and song. The complete Hershey Felder schedule is as follows:

· Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone (July 1 - 10, 2011).

Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone incorporates 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. 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.

· Hershey Felder in Concert: The Great American Songbook Sing-Along (July 11 - 17, 2011).

Hershey Felder in Concert: The Great American Songbook Sing-Along features an entire century of American music from such masters as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. Hershey Felder leads the party from the piano on a journey through a century of America's greatest music.

· Hershey Felder in Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein (July 22 - Aug. 28, 2011). Previews run July 22 - July 28. Opening night is July 29.

Hershey Felder in Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein is a new work from the creators of George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin and Beethoven, As I Knew Him. With a story spanning the entire 20th century, Leonard Bernstein, one of America's greatest musicians, broke through every artistic ceiling possible to become the world's musical ambassador. Conductor, composer, pianist, author, teacher, librettist, television star... for Leonard Bernstein, boundaries simply did not exist.

The creative team for George Gershwin Alone includes Yael Pardess (Scenic Design), Michael T. Gilliam (Lighting Design) and GiGi Garcia and Nate Genung (Stage Managers). The creative team for The Great American Songbook Sing-Along includes Margaret Hartmann (Lighting Director), Matt Marsden (Production Manager/Technical Direction) and Nate Genung (Stage Manager). The creative team for Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein includes François-Pierre Couture (Scenic and Lighting Design), Erik Carstensen (Sound Design), Andrew Wilder (Projection Design) and GiGi Garcia and Nate Genung (Stage Managers).

Playwright and performer Hershey Felder has appeared on Broadway and London's West End in George Gershwin Alone. His regional and international appearances of the "Composers Sonata" 1999-2011 - George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven, As I Knew Him and Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein - include The Old Globe, Arizona Theatre Company, Geffen Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Ford's Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Pasadena Playhouse, American Repertory Theater, Hartford Stage, Ravinia Festival, Chicago's Royal George Theatre, Prince Music Theatre (Philadelphia), The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, Uijeongbu Theatre Festival (South Korea) and many others. He also performed Monsieur Chopin for the Polish Ambassador to the United States. Felder is a winner of the 2007 Los Angeles Ovation Awards for Best Musical and Best Actor for George Gershwin Alone. His compositions include Aliyah, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Fairytale, Les Anges de Paris, Suite for Violin and Piano, Song Settings, Saltimbanques for Piano and Orchestra, Etudes Thematiques for Piano and An American Story for actor and orchestra. His recordings include Love Songs of the Yiddish Theatre, Back from Broadway, George Gershwin Alone and Monsieur Chopin for the WFMT Radio Network Recordings label and Beethoven, As I Knew Him and An American Story for the Eighty-Eight Entertainment label. George Gershwin Alone received worldwide live broadcasts on July 2005 and May 2011. Felder's current projects include a new musical, An American Story, which had its world premiere in Los Angeles in November 2009. It was recorded with the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra, comprised of members of the Chicago Symphony and Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestras and conducted by Alan Heatherington. Felder has been a Scholar in Residence at Harvard University's Department of Music.

Director Joel Zwick directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time, produced by Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Gary Goetzman. His recent films include Fat Albert (with Bill Cosby) and Elvis Has Left the Building starring John Corbett and Kim Basinger. Zwick directed the Broadway production of George Gershwin Alone at the Helen Hayes Theatre as well as all other productions of the show. Zwick began his theatrical career at La Mama E.T.C. as director of the La Mama Plexus. He has directed on Broadway, Off Broadway and Broadway touring companies. Currently, Zwick is recognized as one of Hollywood's most prolific directors of episodic television, having the direction of more than 525 episodes to his credit. These include having directed 21 pilots that have gone on to become regular series. His television credits include "Laverne & Shirley," "Mork & Mindy," "Bosom Buddies," "Webster," "Perfect Strangers," "Full House," "Step by Step," "Family Matters," "It's a Living," "The Wayans Bros.," "Joanie Loves Chachi," "The Jamie Foxx Show," "Kirk," "The Parent 'Hood," "Angie," "On Our Own," "Two of a Kind," "Love Boat: The Next Wave," "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" and others. His previous New York productions have included Dance with Me (Tony Award nomination), Shenandoah (Broadway National Tour), Oklahoma (National Tour) and Cold Storage (American Place Theater). He acted in the original New York production of MacBird. He also directed Esther (Promenade Theater), Merry-Go-Round (Chicago and Las Vegas) and Last Chance Saloon and Woycek (West End). Zwick has taught drama at Yale University, Brooklyn College, Queens College, Wheaton College and the University of Southern California. He is currently in pre-production on Sleepless in Seattle - the Musical and Serrano. He recently directed Jamaica Farewell for Falcon Theatre and is busy directing television shows for It's a Laugh Productions.

TICKETS to George Gershwin Alone, The Great American Songbook Sing-Along and Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Performances for George Gershwin Alone begin on July 1 and continue through July 10. Ticket prices range from $66 to $90. Performances for The Great American Songbook Sing-Along begin on July 11 and continue through July 17. Ticket prices range from $39 to $90. Performances for Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein begin on July 22 and continue through Aug. 28. Ticket prices range from $39 to $90. Performances times: Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The Monday, July 11 performance of The Great American Songbook Sing-Along will begin at 7:00 p.m. and no Thursday evening performance on July 14. There is also a Wednesday matinee of Maestro on Aug. 17 at 2:00 p.m. and no Saturday matinee performance on Aug. 20. Discounts are available for full-time students, patrons 29 years of age and under, seniors and groups of 10 or more.

Associated events taking place during the run of Maestro include:

INSIGHTS SEMINAR
Monday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. FREE
Insight Seminars are informal presentations of ideas and insights to enhance the theater-going experience. The seminars feature a panel selected from the artistic company of each production and take place in the theater where the production is performed. Reception, 6:30 p.m. Seminar, 7:00 p.m. Admission is free and reservations are not required.

POST-SHOW FORUMS
Tuesdays, Aug. 2 and 9 and Wednesday, Aug. 3. FREE
Discuss the play with members of the Maestro cast and crew at post-show discussions led by the Globe's creative staff after the performances.

OUT AT THE GLOBE: Thursday, Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. $20
An evening for gay and lesbian theater lovers and the whole LGBT community, Out at the Globe includes a hosted wine and martini bar, appetizers and door prizes. $20 per person. RSVP at (619) 23-GLOBE. (Tickets to the performance are sold separately.)

THANK GLOBE IT'S FRIDAY: Fridays, Aug. 5 and 12 at 6:30 p.m. $20
Kick off the weekend with the Globe's Friday pre-show bash. TGIF includes a hosted wine and martini bar, appetizers and desserts. $20 per person. RSVP at (619) 23-GLOBE. (Tickets to the performance are sold separately.)

LOCATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Valet parking is also available ($10). For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.

CALENDAR: August: Osage County (5/7-6/12), Life of Riley (4/30-6/5), Much Ado About Nothing (5/29-9/24), The Tempest (6/5-9/25), Amadeus (6/12-9/22), Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone (7/1-7/10), Hershey Felder in Concert: The Great American Songbook Sing-Along (7/11-7/17), Hershey Felder in Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein (7/22-8/28).

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country's leading professional regional theaters and has stood as San Diego's flagship arts institution for 75 years. Under the direction of Executive Producer Louis G. Spisto, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, which are both part of The Old Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theater's education and community programs. Numerous world premieres such as The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, A Catered Affair and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theaters across the country.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.