BERKELEY REP ADDS FINAL PERFORMANCES OF
MONSIEUR CHOPIN
Virtuoso artist Hershey Felder returns in September for
the farewell presentation of his critically acclaimed solo show
Including one-night-only engagement of The American Songbook Sing-Along: Irving Berlin
August 6, 2014 – Due to an exuberant reception from critics and audiences alike resulting in a sold-out engagement, Berkeley Repertory Theatre is proud to announce that Hershey Felder’s already extended Monsieur Chopin will have one final encore presentation of 10 performances September 16-21, 2014. In the second installment of his Composers Sonata – George Gershwin Alone; Monsieur Chopin; Beethoven, As I Knew Him; Hershey Felder as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro; and Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt in Musik – Felder reveals the beloved and romantic composer’s secrets against a gorgeous lush score of more than a dozen compositions. This fall, don’t miss the last presentation of the critically acclaimed Monsieur Chopin, Felder’s most passionate performance. Then for one night only on Monday, September 22, join us at Berkeley Rep for The American Songbook Sing-Along: Irving Berlin featuring the music of one of America’s most prolific and beloved composers. Audiences will have the chance to be serenaded and sing along with Felder and might even get the chance for a solo number if they catch the star’s attention. Mark your calendar for “a singular display of sheer joy” (Chicago Sun-Times). Tickets for Monsieur Chopin are $29-$87 (subject to change) and $50 for The American Songbook Sing-Along: Irving Berlin. For more information call (510) 647-2949 or visit berkeleyrep.org.
Critics unilaterally agree Hershey Felder’s Monsieur Chopin is enchanting. The San Francisco Examiner writes, “The solo show-concert is in the same league, perhaps even better, than his equally beguiling, similarly formatted presentations on George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein…Felder masterfully mixes history, anecdotes and emotion throughout.” The San Jose Mercury News / Bay Area News Group raves, “…When Felder turns to the piano, Monsieur Chopin is enchanting. As the evening drew to a close, Felder played the composer’s great Polonaise in A-Flat Major, bringing out the work’s Romantic sensitivity and rhythmic drive. In moments like that, genius seemed an apt description.” And the Boston Globe proclaims, “Hershey Felder, the show’s gifted creator and sole performer, clearly feels deeply attuned to the Romantic sensibility, not just the romantic. And, in his finest moments, he carries a rapt audience along on a wave of true, powerful, and wordless passion.”
Hershey Felder (Fryderyk Chopin/Playwright)created and performed George Gershwin Alone, which played at Berkeley Rep, on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre, at West End’s Duchess Theatre, and in a worldwide live broadcast. He most recently performed Hershey Felder as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro at Berkeley Rep. His Composers Sonata – George Gershwin Alone; Monsieur Chopin; Beethoven, As I Knew Him; Hershey Felder as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro; and Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt in Rock Star – has been presented at dozens of theatres across the U.S. and around the world, including a command performance of Monsieur Chopin for the Polish Ambassador to the United States.
His compositions include Aliyah, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra; Fairytale, a musical; 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. As director, he premiered Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane at the Geffen Playhouse in April 2012 and at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in October 2013. The acclaimed production made its off-Broadway debut at 59E59 Theaters this summer. Felder has been a scholar-in-residence at Harvard University’s department of music and is married to Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada.
Joel Zwick(Director)directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Zwick is recognized as one of Hollywood’s most prolific directors of episodic television, having the direction of 525 episodes to his credit. These include having directed 21 pilots which have gone on to become regular series. He directed the Broadway production of George Gershwin Alone as well as all subsequent productions. Previous New York productions have included Dance with Me (Tony nomination), Shenandoah (Broadway national tour), Oklahoma (national tour), and Cold Storage (American Place Theater). He directed Esther (Promenade Theater, NY), Merry-Go-Round (Chicago, Las Vegas), Last Chance Saloon, and Woyzeck (West End, London). Zwick has taught drama at the Yale School of Drama, Brooklyn College, Queens College, Wheaton College, and University of Southern California. A graduate (BA, MA) of Brooklyn College, he is currently directing Shake It Up for the Disney Channel.
The producer of Monsieur Chopin is Eighty-Eight Entertainment. Created in 2001 by Hershey Felder, Eighty-Eight Entertainment is devoted to the creation of new works of musical theatre. Current projects include the new musicals Abe Lincoln’s Piano and Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt in Rock Star. Its recordings include Love Songs of the Yiddish Theatre; Back from Broadway; George Gershwin Alone; Monsieur Chopin; Beethoven, As I Knew Him; and An American Story for Actor and Orchestra.
The creative team includes Yael Pardess (scenic design), Richard Norwood (lighting design), Benjamin Furiga (original sound design), Eric Carstensen (sound co-design), and John Boesche and Andrew Wilder (projection design). Erik Carstensen, and Trevor Hay and serve as stage managers.
ABOUT BERKELEY REP
Berkeley Repertory Theatre has grown from a storefront stage to an international leader in innovative theatre. Known for its core values of imagination and excellence, as well as its educated and adventurous audience, the nonprofit has provided a welcoming home for emerging and established artists since 1968. In four decades, four million people have enjoyed more than 300 shows at Berkeley Rep. These shows have gone on to win five Tony Awards, seven Obie Awards, nine Drama Desk Awards, one Grammy Award, and many other honors. In recognition of its place on the national stage, Berkeley Rep received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 1997. Its bustling facilities – which include the 400-seat Thrust Stage, the 600-seat Roda Theatre, the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, the Osher Studio, and a spacious new campus in West Berkeley – are helping revitalize a renowned city. Learn more atberkeleyrep.org.
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FACT SHEET
MONSIEUR CHOPIN
WHO: The Music of Fryderyk Chopin
Book by Hershey Felder
With Hershey Felder as Chopin
Directed by Joel Zwick
Creative team: Yael Pardess (scenic design), Richard Norwood (lighting design), Benjamin Furiga (original sound design), Eric Carstensen (sound co-design), and John Boesche and Andrew Wilder (projection design). Erik Carstensen, and Trevor Hay and serve as stage managers.
WHAT: Monsieur Chopin
You’ve seen Felder as George Gershwin on the hot streets of 1920s New York. You’ve seen him on the conductor’s podium revealing Maestro Leonard Bernstein’s heart. Now come back with Hershey to Paris in 1848…to a work of love and art and the place where his soul resides, in the depths of Chopin’s music. “[Felder] carries a rapt audience along on a wave of true, powerful, and wordless passion,” declares the Boston Globe.
WHERE: Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison Street @ Shattuck, Berkeley, CA 94704
WHEN: September 16 – September, 21 2014
- Tuesday @ 8:00 PM
- Wednesday @ 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
- Thursday @ 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
- Friday @ 8:00 PM
- Saturday @ 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
- Sunday @ 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Special Event:
The American Songbook Sing-Along: Irving Berlin, Monday September 22 @ 7:00 PM
HOW MUCH: Monsieur Chopin: $29 – $87 (subject to change)
Discounts: • Half-price tickets available for anyone under 30 years of age
• $10 discount for students and seniors one hour before curtain
• Groups of 10 or more, contact (510) 647-2918 or [email protected]
The American Songbook Sing-Along: Irving Berlin: All seats $50. Tix & Info: (510) 647-2949 – berkeleyrep.org
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