Hershey Felder is both young and experienced in his performance field.
It's not often those two words get used in the same sentence.
(He's around my age, so in my definition, especially for someone with his accomplishments, he's young.)
Felder and his piano are known to Chicago audiences for his 70 record-breaking weeks in 2003 at Chicago's Royal George Theatre performing his popular "George Gershwin Alone" and then later, the world premiere of "Monsieur Chopin," in addition to his annual appearances at the Ravinia Festival.
This week, he's returning to Chicago, which he so often calls "his favorite city in America with the best audiences in the world."
"Chicago is a city that wants people to succeed," said Felder, speaking with me by telephone Monday.
"It's not just a press pitch. I love Chicago."
Married to Avril Phaedra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, the former Prime Minister of Canada, today the couple spend much of their time at their home in Paris.
Felder's own Eighty-Eight Entertainment, Samantha F. Voxakis and Lee Kaufman are presenting this return to the Windy City for an extended run through the holidays at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St. Performances of his "Beethoven, As I Knew Him," which opens Wednesday and plays through Dec. 20. His "George Gershwin Alone," written and performed by Felder and directed by Joel Zwick, plays Dec. 23 through Dec. 30.
These performances lead up to two special New Year's Eve presentations of "The Great American Song Book Sing-A-Long," which will be filmed right here in Chicago before a live audience for future television broadcast and world-wide release.
"Beethoven, As I Knew Him," is a dramatization of a little known true story as told in 1870, 43 years after Beethoven's passing, by the person who spent a good part of the maestro's last two years by his side.
With a narrative spanning several generations, Felder combines his acting, piano and musical analytical skills to bring to life the character of Ludwig van Beethoven as he existed through the eyes of one who knew him well.
Featuring some of the composer's most famous works, including The Moonlight Sonata, The Pathetique Sonata, selections from Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 5 and 9, the Grosse Fugue, as well as a movement of Beethoven's great Emperor Concerto, "Beethoven, As I Knew Him" is a journey through time to bring audiences closer to the legendary Beethoven.
"As Beethoven, people are surprised that I don't use any make-up," he told me.
"Since I have dark hair, I do have to lighten my hair, but otherwise, the older effect is created through my acting and approach to the role, in addition to the music."
As for Felding's second show, which starts next month, the award winning work about the legendary American composer, "George Gershwin Alone," incorporates the Gershwins' 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.
According to show reviews, 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."
Tickets for "Beethoven, As I Knew Him" and "George Gershwin Alone" are currently on sale and range from $55 to $60. Tickets for the New Year's Eve presentation of "The Great American Song Book Sing-A-Long" are $100 for the 7 p.m. performance and $150 for the 10 p.m. show.
For show times and dates, visit eightyeightentertainment.com.
Tickets are available at Drury Lane Water Tower Place Box Office or charge-by-phone at (312) 642-2000.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.
Today's Celebrity Birthdays
Actor Russell Johnson ("Gilligan's Island") is 85. Actor Albert Hall ("Ally McBeal," "Beloved") is 72. Country singer Donna Fargo is 68. Lyricist Tim Rice is 65. Actress Alaina Reed Hall ("227") is 63. Singer-guitarist Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake and Palmer is 62. Actress-dancer Ann Reinking is 60. Actor Jack Scalia is 59. Actor-comedian Sinbad is 53. Actress Mackenzie Phillips ("One Day At A Time") is 50. Comedian Tommy Davidson ("In Living Color") is 46. Actor Michael Jai White is 45. Country singer Chris Cagle and comedian Tracy Morgan ("30 Rock") are 41. Actress Ellen Pompeo ("Grey's Anatomy") is 40. Rapper Warren G is 39. Singer-guitarist Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World is 34. Actress Brittany Murphy ("8 Mile," "Girl, Interrupted") is 32. Rapper Eve is 31. Bassist Chris Joannou of Silverchair is 30. Actress Heather Matarazzo is 27. Country singer Miranda Lambert is 26. Actor Josh Peck ("Drake and Josh") is 23.
