In his inimitable artistic style, actor and concert pianist HERSHEY FELDER brings the life and music of Ludwig von Beethoven to audiences in a new production based on an original story by Dr. Gerhard von Breuning, featuring some of Beethoven’s greatest compositions from his keyboard works such as the “Emperor Concerto” to the 5th and 9th Symphonies, his keyboard sonatas, and chamber music. It’s a fascinating and true account leading up to the suffering Beethoven endured during the final stages of his hard luck life, being totally deaf while still composing masterful works of musical beauty and grace he would never be able to hear.
When you enter the Bram Goldsmith Theater at The Wallis, Felder’s scenic design welcomes you into a Viennese graveyard complete with several large headstones and a giant obelisk with “Beethoven” inscribed on it at the center behind the Steinway grand piano where Felder will soon take his rightful place. As he has done with so many of his other musical tribute productions, Felder’s ability to keep a story flowing through his incredible impersonations and skill as both a composer, singer and pianist artfully enhanced with media projections designed by Christopher Ash, often causing the headstones to disappear into part of the background scenery. Like me, the audience was enthralled from start to finish – just as you will be!
Joel Zwick, who has collaborated with Felder on George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin and Maestro Bernstein, is recognized as one of Hollywood’s most prolific directors of episodic television and has directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and for Broadway touring companies. Meghan Maiya provided historical and biographical research to insure this extraordinary one-man musical play brings the composer to life as it dramatizes the true story of a Viennese doctor who spent his boyhood by the Maestro’s side as the son of Beethoven’s best friend, with Felder playing all of the characters mentioned in the stories as well as the great composer while seated at the piano sharing his musical magnificence. How he manages to coordinate such intricate elements of mind, body and spirit are a wonder to behold!
Felder attributes the show’s success to the tremendous popularity of who he considers the world’s greatest composer. I certainly learned more about Beethoven’s life that I ever knew before, starting with the severe beatings he received as a child when his alcoholic father punished him during practice sessions and then locked him in the basement for days while off on his latest drunken escapades. Although the reason for Beethoven’s total deafness by age 31 has never been confirmed, Felder shared during his audience Q&A session after the performance that he believes these beatings were most likely the source of the problem that caused the great composer to often contemplate suicide rather than live a life in total silence.
“Beethoven is a prime example of the capacity of man to overcome personal tragedy and commit to leaving the world a better, richer place,” says Paul Crewes, The Wallis’ Artistic Director. “Hershey Felder’s return to The Wallis is, as always, a treat for us as well as for our appreciative audiences, who will experience the humanity of the man behind the music and the humanity in the music itself.”
If you have never experienced the authenticity with which Hershey Felder brings the lives of the world’s greatest composers to life, I encourage you to order your tickets for HERSHEY FELDER: BEETHOVEN as it will be another two years before the talented pianist and entertainer again graces a local stage. Performances continue through the closing 2 p.m. matinee on Aug. 19. Single ticket prices range from $35 to $105. For tickets and more information, visit TheWallis.org/Beethoven, call 310-746-4000, or stop by in person at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Services located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd in Beverly Hills.
