Hershey Felder

Beethoven, a new play by Hershey Felder, will have its world premiere at Chicago’s Royal George Theatre. Performances begin on February 9, 2007.  Hershey Felder is currently appearing at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in a critically and popularly acclaimed run of the two previous movements of his “Composer Sonata,” George Gershwin Alone, and Monsieur Chopin.  Both productions enjoyed successful long-run engagements at Chicago’s Royal George Theatre for a total of seventy weeks, from September 2004 through January 2006.

Created by the same team that brought George Gershwin Alone and Monsieur Chopin to life, Beethoven features some of the master’s most enduring and beloved works.  The action of the play centers on a little known story about the composer and his legacy.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was born in Bonn, Germany, and he died in Vienna, Austria.  Considered in his day and by history as the greatest composer to have ever lived, Ludwig van Beethoven had the capacity to capture every aspect of humanity in his revered and famous creations.  From the Symphonies to the Piano Concerti, to Sonatas and early chamber music, through such avant-garde works as the Grosse Fugue, and the final quartets, the music of Ludwig van Beethoven stands as a pillar of what human beings can accomplish when faced with great adversity in that Beethoven’s finest creations were composed when he was completely deaf.

Beethoven is the first “movement” of a trilogy entitled “The Composer Sonata.”  The second movement, Monsieur Chopin, continues to play after making its premiere in Chicago, in August of 2005, and the finale, George Gershwin Alone, has been playing worldwide since February, 2000.

A sonata is traditionally comprised of three movements.  The first movement is generally in “sonata form.”  It is a highly structured work that begins with several thematic statements, which are then followed by a “working out” section, followed by a return of the themes, then further development, and finally a rounding out – a coda.  First movements are dramatic, architectural, deeply thoughtful and emotional.  This is Beethoven.

The second movement of a sonata is usually a “Romanza” of sorts - a lush expression of soul. This is Monsieur Chopin.

Finally – the last movement of the traditional sonata, is generally dance-like, extroverted and joyous, though still in some way thematically related to the previous two movements.  This is George Gershwin Alone – the themes of which are suggested in both of its predecessors.

Beethoven is written by Hershey Felder and directed by Joel Zwick, director of George Gerswhin Alone and Monsieur Chopin.  Mr. Zwick whose film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding has become a world-wide record breaking phenomenon, has recently released Elvis Has Left the Building starring Kim Basinger and John Corbett, and he is currently in pre-production on several new film projects.  Mr. Zwick has directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and for Broadway touring companies, and is recognized as one of Hollywood’s most prolific directors with more than 500 television episodes to his credit.  Dr. Jeffrey Kallberg, leading musicologist and Chairman of the Department of Music at the University of Pennsylvania, will again act as production consultant.

Hershey Felder has appeared in stage roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway and regionally.  His credits include George Gershwin Alone, 2500 performances from Los Angeles to London’s West End including Broadway; Monsieur Chopin, in Chicago, Boston, Hartford Stage, The Old Globe, San Diego; as well as Stempenyu, A Fiddler on the Roof, Gigi, Waiting for Godot, Macbeth, Sotoba Komache, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, Shlemiel I, Lies My Father Told Me, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Importance of Being Earnest and The King and I.  A Visiting Scholar in Residence at Harvard University’s Department of Music, Felder’s works have been performed internationally.  As a Steinway concert artist, he has appeared in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Israel and Europe.  In addition he is a playwright and composer.

Beethoven begins performances at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street on Tuesday, February 9th, 2007.  The performance schedule is as follows:  Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m., Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m., Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. &  8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for Beethoven cost $45 and are on-sale now at the Royal George Theatre Box Office, 1641 North Halsted Street, (312) 988-9000. Tickets may also be obtained by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 902-1500, and at all Ticketmaster ticket centers or online at ticketmaster.com.