“Felder’s rapturous, emotionally charged playing of more than a dozen pieces by Chopin is the show’s most glorious element…Music was Chopin’s solace. And when Felder sits down to play the composer springs to life in a way that says more about the soul of this quintessential Romantic than any words can convey.”
—Chicago Sun-Times
Hershey Felder as ‘Monsieur Chopin,’ the one-man show that was a hit in L.A. theaters, will be playing in Berkeley during July and August. Opening night is Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 7:00 pm. The Music of Fryderyk Chopin features book by Hershey Felder and direction by Joel Zwick, and is a co-production with Eighty-Eight Entertainment. Running time: 1 hr 45 min, no intermission
In his passionate portrayal of the “Poet of the Piano,” Hershey reveals the beloved and romantic composer’s secrets about his creations—and the secrets he carried to his grave—against a gorgeous, lush score of more than a dozen compositions. Come back with Hershey to meet the mysterious ‘Monsieur Chopin.’ “[Felder] carries a rapt audience along on a wave of true, powerful, and wordless passion,” declares the Boston Globe.
Hershey Felder performed George Gershwin Alone on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre and on the West End at Duchess Theatre. His Composers Sonata (1999–2014)—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—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. He received Los Angeles Ovation Awards for Best Musical and Best Actor for George Gershwin Alone in 2007, and live broadcasts of the production have been aired worldwide. 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, Mr. Felder premiered Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane at the Geffen Playhouse in April 2012 and recently premiered Chris Lemmon in Jack Lemmon Returns. Mr. 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.
Attend opening night of “Monsieur Chopin” on July 27 at 7 pm, and save 20% off regular-priced tickets (50% if you’re under 30!) on the performance. Just use the code CHOPIN online or by calling the box office at 510 647-2949 (Tues – Sun, noon – 7). Link to the promo code: http://tickets.berkeleyrep.org/Default.aspx?promo=CHOPIN
July 25 – August 3, 2014
Hershey Felder’s Monsieur Chopin
Berkeley Repertory Theater
2025 Addison St, Berkeley, CA 94704
Courtyard reception immediately following the performance
Info and tickets: www.berkeleyrep.org
[Source: press release]