Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...On Tuesday night, the evidence clearly suggested that "Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin" will be delivering a great deal of pleasure to the good people of Chicagoland in the coming weeks, especially those of an age that allows some recollection of at least a chunk of Berlin's multi-decade career. You'd now have to be at least 100 years old to have much recall of the year when "What'll I Do?" first rose to the top of the charts, but Berlin was around long enough to provide a smoochable soundtrack for at least three distinct generations and to offer fodder for singers from Fred Astaire to Aretha Franklin."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Directed by Trevor Hay, with whom Felder co-designed the set - with artful assistance from lighting designer Richard Norwood, and projection design by Andrew Wilder/Lawrence Siefert that includes some irresistible bits of archival film featuring Al Jolson, Fred Astaire, Merman and more ) - the show flows seamlessly between narrative and musical illustration."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Not that Felder doesn't put a good face on his subject. Berlin's seemingly boundless will to ingratiate is spun here as patriotic populism, his career-long musical ignorance as an endearing naivete. The worst you can say about this Berlin is that he's got a cornball singing style. Still, there's a best you can say, too: Listening to the songs more or less chronologically made me realize how well Berlin absorbed and assimilated lessons from truly talented peers. Going from "Alexander's Ragtime Band" to "Blue Skies" is no mean feat."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Having just read Lawrence Bergreen's biography on Mr. Berlin: As Thousands Cheer (taken from his 1933 revue of the same name) I was extremely anxious to find out how Hershey Felder would interpret this great man and his work all within 90-miniutes; Hershey Felder is a totally unique performer who looks as though he is actually channeling whatever composer he is presenting. A superb musician and pianist Mr. Felder is one of the most accomplished actors in the world and thousands have cheered! From the first opening moments when he plays an old and a young self and invites the Christmas carolers into his home, Hershey Felder takes his audience on a magic carpet ride at once joyous and heart-breaking and patriotic and reminiscent of better times."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...I have seen and enjoyed the skilled craftsmanship of Hershey Felder in his past shows but I must say that with Irving Berlin, Felder is at the top of his theatrical game! This is his finest one person show, don't miss it. Hershey Felder is a treasure!"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...When one sees the name Hershey Felder attached to a production, one knows that they are in for an evening of entertainment and education. He is a man of great detail and when he either produces, directs or writes/produces and directs a production, we can count on perfection! Many of us were first introduced to this special talent back when he brought his "George Gershwin Alone" to town. This was the treasure that first introduced Chicago theater audiences to his brilliance of bringing a composer to life, and then some. Since that time, he has also done the same with "Monsieur Chopin", "Beethoven, As I Knew Him", "Maestro Bernstein" and one that I have not witnessed "Franz Liszt in Musik", each allowing us to learn about the men and their music as well as their lives."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Felder's book is carefully researched, with interesting and sometimes startling nuggets of information popping up. He recounts the inoffensive origins of what later became scurrilous terms for Irish, Italian, and Jewish Americans. The projection designs by Andrew Wilder and Lawrence Seifert are neatly synchronized with Felder's script, giving the production visual variety. Throughout it all, Felder lays into his role with a will. It's physically demanding but Felder's energy never flags as he belts out Berlin's lyrics and pounds away at the piano."
