Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin comes to The Public
In its Pittsburgh premiere, this joyous blend of bio-play, beloved songs, and piano virtuosity arrives just in time for the holidays.
The story and songs of America’s Composer come to life onstage in Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, a play with music written and performed by acclaimed actor/pianist Hershey Felder. This Pittsburgh premiere runs for 13 performances, December 19 – 30, 2018 at the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s home in the heart of Downtown’s Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org.
As Irving Berlin, Mr. Felder takes the audience from Czarist Russia to New York’s Tin Pan Alley and beyond. He also channels Mr. Berlin’s wife of 60 years, Ellin; Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld; and Ethel Merman, the star of Berlin’s Broadway musical, Annie Get Your Gun.
Mr. Berlin’s music provided America with the soundtrack of a century. Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin features some of the composer’s most popular and enduring songs and the stories behind their creation. Included are “White Christmas,” the stirring “God Bless America,” “Puttin on the Ritz,” “Blue Skies,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Easter Parade,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” and many more of Irving Berlin’s cherished hits. The audience can look forward to joining him on some numbers!
“The greatest songwriter that ever lived.” – George Gershwin
“The empathy, showmanship and craft on tap may just be the best match of historical figure and performing artist yet.” – The Los Angeles Times
“Absolutely dazzling.” – Huffington Post
About Hershey Felder
In addition to Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, Mr. Felder’s unique shows include George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin, Our Great Tchaikovsky, Maestro Bernstein, and many more. He has performed them at theaters across America and internationally. He has also worked for Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation, interviewing Holocaust survivors to collect their oral histories on film, and was one of four interviewers to attend the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in Poland.
Performance Schedule
Wed. Dec. 19, Thurs. Dec. 20 & Fri. Dec. 21 at 7 pm
Sat. Dec. 22 at 2 & 7 pm. Sun. Dec. 23 at 2 pm
Wed. Dec. 26, Thurs. Dec. 27 & Fri. Dec. 28 at 7 pm
Sat. Dec. 29 & Sun. Dec. 30 at 2 and 7 pm
Tickets to Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin goes on sale to 2018-19 season subscribers on Tuesday, April 24. The on-sale date for the general public is Wednesday, August 1.
Discounts for groups of 10+ are available by contacting Casey Helm at 412.316.8200 ext. 704 or chelm@ppt.org.
For tickets call 412.316.1600, buy online, or visit the O’Reilly Theater Box Office.