Rachmaninoff and the Tsar at Writers Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Of the two men portrayed in this play, Rachmaninoff certainly comes across as the more sympathetic. Though born into an aristocratic family, he has imbibed ideas of meritocracy from his adopted country; he believes nobility comes from what's in the soul, rather than an accident of birth. Nicholas, on the other hand, is an imperial relic who repeatedly proclaims his divine right to power, making him a difficult character to relate to. Still, I suspect that any parents in the audience will be moved by Silvestri's speeches about fatherly love and grief, while emigrees - and anyone who feels disconnected from their home - will be touched by Rachmaninoff's emotional journey."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...Not all the narrative strands mesh well, but the presence of Nicholas gives Felder’s Rachmaninoff a foil and a symbol of what he loved and hated about his homeland. But the composer found love for his adopted country of the United States as well, even doing his own arrangement of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Felder plays it at the end. Hearing it right after the president of the United States literally rolled out the red carpet for another Russian autocrat left me with my own sense of displacement and unease."

Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended

"...Hershey Felder, a masterful performer known for his solo acts that vividly bring to life the legacies of iconic composers such as George Gershwin, Frederic Chopin, and Leonard Bernstein, now graces the stage at Writers Theatre with his latest work, "Rachmaninoff and the Tsar." This captivating performance delves into the remarkable life of Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff, widely celebrated as one of the greatest pianists and composers of the early 20th century. In "Rachmaninoff and the Tsar," Felder skillfully intertwines storytelling with music, embodying Rachmaninoff's genius through both narrative and piano, allowing audiences a glimpse into the life of the Russian composer, pianist, and conductor."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...Hershey Felder is back in the Chicago area, and those who know his work, know they are in for a treat at Writers Theatre in Glencoe. Felder, who is probably one of the most creative artists I have ever had the pleasure to watch on stage ( as well as do a duet with) brings more to the theater than a performance. He brings theater, history and emotion to every show he produces or creates or in which he just appears. Many of you may have been lucky enough to see his "Gershwin", his "Bernstein", his "Chopin" or his "Berlin"- Felder takes on the persona of these composers in his shows and one truly feels that they are watching the actual person tell his story (as it happened)."

WTTW - Highly Recommended

"...Not only does Felder evoke the musical brilliance of Rachmaninoff (who lived from 1873 to 1943) as he performs a slew of his works for piano, but he also captures the nature of the composer's life - his politics and personality. Rachmaninoff fled the Russian Revolution of 1917, came to the U.S. and lived primarily in New York and Beverly Hills, where for years he only performed the music he had written earlier in Russia rather than drawing on what in some ways seemed to be the music of a very different world for him."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...There is so much information to be unpacked in this 100-minute one-act that the theatergoer might initially feel a bit overwhelmed. But while Mr. Felder teaches his audience a great deal about both of these historical figures, there's no test over the material. So just sit back, relax and let this entertaining tale about home and family enchant you. Be fascinated by the artistry of this brilliant Russian musical genius. Be astonished by Rachmaninoff's strained relationship with the deposed Romanov ruler. Then languish in all the magical musical selections that weave throughout the story."

Buzz Center Stage - Recommended

"...Ordinarily performing solo, for “Rachmaninoff and the Tsar,” Felder has for the first time incorporated into the script a second character—Tsar Nicholas II (Jonathan Silvestri), the last Romanoff to rule Russia, until the Bolshevik revolution forced him to abdicate in 1917. Rachmaninoff fled Russia for New York City. This allows for a more robust script, with two characters playing against each other, and sharing the burden of exposition, which can be a downside for story-telling plays. Many other characters are incorporated in silent films shown periodically as a backdrop to what’s on stage."

Third Coast Review - Recommended

"...Opposites may or may not attract but they can certainly produce lively theater. After years of creating solo portraits of famous composers-Gershwin, Chopin, Debussy among them-Hershey Felder pairs Sergei Rachmaninoff with Tsar Nicholas II. In Rachmaninoff and the Tsar, Felder applies his signature mix of music, biography, wit and pedagogy to the Russian composer while Jonathan Silvestri plays the unfortunate last Romanov to rule the empire."

Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended

"...Directed by Trevor Hay, with the music of Sergei V. Rachmaninoff and a book by Hershey Felder "Rachmaninoff and the Tsar" offers an extraordinary glimpse into the life of an extraordinary composer."

PicksInSix - Highly Recommended

"...There really are few people in the theatre like the renaissance man Hershey Felder. Concert-level pianist. Producer in charge of his own fate. Actor with, in this case, a surprisingly high-quality Russian dialect, when many actors shy away from such things. Writer of a meticulously researched story and script. He has a strong influence on behind-the-scenes activity as well-scenic, projections, even a question-and-answer exchange with his audience AFTER ninety-plus minutes of a challenging performance that would intimidate others. And now, at Writers Theatre in Glencoe through September 21, Mr. Felder offers his latest in his series of solo narratives that concentrate on the great composers, "Rachmaninoff and the Tsar.""

MaraTapp.org - Highly Recommended

"...There are lovely lines – “I hoped to, once again, put nature on a cloud of sound.” – and music played so well that it caused my clarinetist friends who accompanied me to wonder if those not in the musical world could appreciate the expertise of Felder’s musicianship and his ability to jump from that to playing – pun intended – Rachmaninoff. It’s worth noting that although both involve performance, the skills required for playing music and acting differ, which always makes Felder’s accomplishments even more impressive."

Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended

"...Step into the gilded halls of Russian history and the haunting beauty of classical music with Hershey Felder's latest triumph, "Rachmaninoff and the Tsar," now being performed at the exquisite Writers Theatre in Glencoe. Known for his uncanny ability to embody musical legends, Felder once again dazzles audiences with a performance that is intellectually rich and emotionally powerful."

NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...For this new show, which premiered in California last year, Felder is joined on stage by British actor Jonathan Silvestri as Nicholas, under the direction of Trevor Hay. Instead of a monologue, there’s a dialogue between the brilliant musician and the proud but famously obtuse Tsar. Rachmaninoff complains to Nicholas about how his actions led to the Russian Revolution, which caused Rachmaninoff to flee his home and lose the sources of his inspiration. He also tells the story of how he brought to America a woman falsely believed to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia."