The musical story about the life of one of the most famous and revered composers in history is coming to The Pasadena Playhouse.
“Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin” is playing at The Playhouse from July 21 to Aug. 7 and features music from “America’s Composer.”
“I hope to create an entire life for the character on stage when I’m there for a little over two hours,” creator and performer Hershey Felder said, referring to his one-man musical play that will include Berlin’s most famous songs, such as “White Christmas,” “God Bless America” and “Always.”
Felder wrote the play because of the many requests he’s received to create a theatrical piece on Berlin’s life.
“It has been a request from both theater-goers and theater owners that I do this,” he said.
Felder said “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin” is inspired by previous work that he’s done. He said he focused on classical composers in the past, such as George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein. Trevor Hay, who has worked with Felder on numerous other projects, will direct “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin.”
Berlin was born Israel Baline on May 11, 1888 in Tyumen, Russia. His family was forced to flee Russia to New York City in the 1890s because of the area’s persecution of Jewish people. He decided to change his name to Irving Berlin after he took a liking to the moniker when it was spelled incorrectly as “I. Berlin” on sheet music when he was a lyricist.
Berlin composed more than 1,500 songs and scores throughout his career. Films that contain his music include “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” “Top Hat,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “Easter Parade.” Berlin penned the best-selling song in history, “White Christmas,” for the 1942 film, “Holiday Inn.” He won an Academy Award for that tune. Berlin was nominated for eight other Academy Awards over the course of his career.
He also made notable contributions to Broadway with “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Call Me Madam” and “Mr. President.”
Berlin died at the age of 101 in New York City on Sept. 22, 1989.
Famous composer Jerome Kern once said, “Irving Berlin has no place in American music—he is American music.”
Felder’s portrayal of Berlin won’t be Felder’s first appearance at The Playhouse.
“Hershey has appeared in various guises several times on the stage of The Playhouse,” said Sheldon Epps, artistic director of The Pasadena Playhouse. “The success of those previous engagements has made for consistent requests for his return to our venue. I am pleased to welcome him back to our stage, this time recreating the persona and the work of one of America’s greatest and most popular songwriters.”
“The Pasadena Playhouse is a national treasure and historic theatre with lovely acoustics,” Felder said. “Being in that space and sharing the music and story of America’s greatest songwriter – with a very special audience – will be a way to go back in time to the Hollywood and New York of a very magical time.”
He continued, “I always love to perform for Pasadena audiences. It’s a great group of theater-minded individuals. It will be nice to be back.”
Eva Price, Samantha F. Voxakis and Karen Racanelli are producing “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin.”
Felder’s previous productions include “George Gershwin Alone,” “Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt,” “Abe Lincoln’s Piano” and “The Pianist of Willesden Lane.” On a personal note, Felder is married to Kim Campbell, who was the first female Prime Minister of Canada.
The performance schedule for “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin” will be Wednesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $22 to $102 and can be purchased online at PasadenaPlayhouse.org, by calling 626-356-7529 or visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office. Hours of the box office are Tuesday through Sunday from 1-6 p.m. during non-performance dates and Wednesday through Saturday from 1-8 p.m. and Sunday from 1-7 p.m. on performance dates. Tickets for the final week of performances will be on sale at a later date.
