George Gershwin Alone
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Felder
Photo by Mark Garvin
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By Melinda Schupmann
Hershey Felder is a one-man publicist for important composers. His George Gershwin Alone, previously seen at the Tiffany, revisited some of Gershwin's greatest hits and classical works. For those over 40, it was nostalgic. For younger audiences, it turned the spotlight on one of America's true musical treasures.
Returning again, this time to the Geffen, Felder provides two hours of terrific energy as he begins his 'autobiographical' role as Gershwin. He begins with Gershwin's early youth, explaining that he was playing ball one day when he was ten and heard the music of a violin. He pursued the source and that began his fascination with music. He quickly jumps to Tin Pan Alley as he churns out the hits that make him extremely popular.
His first success was with "Swanee," quickly grabbed by Al Jolson when he heard it for the first time. Following that, he and brother Ira began the inspired collaboration that produced their impressive catalog of songs.
Felder looks a bit like Gershwin, so it's easy to be transported to the early 1900s as he talks through the songs that became hits at their inception. "Fascinating Rhythm," "The Man I Love," "I Got Rhythm"--all important standards.
Along with his biographical text, Felder delivers the music as it might have sounded when Gershwin played it himself. His aim is to entertain, but he is also a teacher. He demonstrates how unique Gershwin's musical forms were. He produces sections of pieces explaining how typical songwriting occurs and how he made subtle changes that made the work more interesting.
Though it is easy to understand why Felder can't play full versions of the large numbers of songs that Gershwin wrote, it is still disappointing to miss some of them in their entirety. He does, however, conclude the main performance with "Rhapsody in Blue," certainly one of his finest works. Felder also includes some of the negative reviews leveled at him by critics, principally about Porgy and Bess. Hearing this criticism today, it seems more than uninformed, pointing a finger at the prejudices of the early years of the 30s and 40s.
Director Joel Zwick enhances the production by moving Felder away from the piano and into other settings. Videography by DUCKRABBIT creates photographs of Gershwin, his family, and others who figured into his career. Michael T. Gilliam's lights also add images of a New York skyline, among others, that enhance the setting beyond a simple stage. Original sound by Jon Gottlieb punches up the fine music. In all, the program is beautifully articulated.
At the conclusion of the official end to the biography, Felder begins a sing-along, created to allow audience members to sing to some of Gershwin's greats. At this performance, as the singing progressed, he heard the voice of a fine soprano seated near mid-orchestra. Assuring the audience that she was not a plant and they had not met before, he instructed her to stand up and sing. It was a lucky moment for us all, for she had a beautiful voice and knew most of the lyrics of Gershwin's songs. Her name is Penelope Yates, and she is a theater major at USC. It will be surprising if she is not heard from soon, as her well trained voice was near magic when accompanied by Felder.
This is a music-lovers delight. Though critics have not always been favorable to Felder, the audience knows what it likes, and he gets word-of-mouth raves.
Following all of this Gershwin material, Felder removes his wig worn for Gershwin and shows his long hair, grown to help him create a portrait of Chopin, which will be his next show. He plays a Chopin piece to entice everyone to return. It will be performing it at the Geffen in August.
The evening is delightful, and the intermissionless two hours fly by. Judging by audience reaction, he probably could have gone on for another hour. It is a show for those who love to learn and be entertained in the process. It is highly recommended.
George Gershwin Alone, performed at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte, Los Angeles (Westwood.) Tues.- Thurs. at 7:30; Fri. at 8; Sat. at 4:00 and 8:30; Sun. at 2 & 7. Contact Geffen online at www.GeffenPlayhouse.com. Also Ticketmaster at 213/365-3500. $35-69. Closes July 22, 2007.
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