|
Cultural
Arts
www.lagunajournal.com
Lydia E.
Ringwald is the
Laguna Journal's
Cultural Arts Columnist and photo-journalist, as well as a Southern
California based artist.
It
Played in LA at the Geffen – Now Hershey
Felder's 'George Gershwin Alone’ Comes to Laguna
Playhouse
By Lydia E.
Ringwald
It was
impossible to get tickets to ‘George Gershwin
Alone’ when it played at the Geffen Playhouse in
Los Angeles last year. I tried, but the house
was full night after night of the run.
But lucky for us, the production is now here in
Orange County, with performances at the Laguna
Playhouse January 12 – February 21.
In a one-man show, Hershey Felder traces the
creative career of 20th century music icon
George Gershwin, through some of his most famous
compositions, from haunting individual songs
like ‘Embraceable You,’ to complete musicals the
magnitude of ‘Porgy and Bess’ to orchestrated
musical compositions, ‘Rhapsody in Blue.’ These
were the sounds set the tone and style of an
Era.
An elegant Steinway grand on stage with muted
sepia photos of Gershwin in the background,
lighting in a sensitive chiaroscuro of a
chromatic color, transitioning from rich maroon
into luminous blues into saturations of purple,
then going up the scale toward gold, create the
ambiance that evokes the Gershwin legacy.
Joel Zwick directs Hershey Felder’s unique Book
about Gershwin’s life and Song. Zwick, best know
as director for the romantic movie comedy, ‘ My
Big Fat Greek Wedding,’ who also directed on
Broadway, Off Broadway, and on television, with
over 525 episodic television shows to his
credit, contributes celebrity talent to this
star show.
In his intimately researched script, Hershey
Felder captures the highlights of Gershwin’s
life and song and condensing the character of
Gershwin within his own stage persona. Hershey’s
striking, dramatic appearance, with hairstyle
and face replicating the era, create such a
strong illusion of Gershwin that at moments,
when deeply immersed in the song and story, one
can ‘feel’ Gershwin’s presence.
The role of Gershwin requires Felder’s multiple
talents, as an actor and singer but most
demanding, as a pianist. Felder’s finale
includes his rendition of Gershwin’s the
extremely complicated jazz piano composition
‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ a powerful composition that
induces unequivocal applause and standing
ovation at the end.
At the
opening night performance, Hershey accepted the
applause with a bow, but then returned to the
stage to end the evening on a lighter note,
inviting the audience to a sing along with as he
played and sang the most famous Gershwin
favorites, ‘ Summertime’ and ‘Embraceable You.’
Although transported into the depth of memory by
Felder’s performance, as a reviewer, I do have
one request - Linger a little longer when
performing ‘Rhapsody’ even to elongate the beat
and stretch the tempo…so that we can savor the
sound and reminisce for a moment more.
Felder has performed on prestigious stages in
the United States and internationally with his
Book and Song not only of jazz giant George
Gershwin but also in his one-man productions
‘Beethoven as I Knew Him,’ and ‘Monsieur
Chopin.’
Felder’s sensitive renditions of classical and
jazz music placed in the dramatic context of his
recreation on stage musical persona invite
audiences into the era of the artist, the tempo
and temperament of the time.
The unique productions add an extra element -
the experience of very famous musical
compositions set within the context of the
composer’s life. The delightfully entertaining
and educationally edifying productions immerse
us in the rich cultural texture of the past, the
foundation and fundament of civilization that
nurtures us now.
Contributing charm and pizzazz to the Gershwin
Opening Night event was the appearance of
Scandinavian star Torill and a crew of
filmmakers from a Norwegian TV series
celebrating Hollywood.
On Monday, February 15, the Laguna Playhouse
Board of Trustees invite theater and music
aficionados to an intimate evening of music with
Hershey Felder hosted at the Shady Canyon home
of Heather and Paul Singarella. The $100 event
includes elegant hors d’oeuvres by Nirvana
Grille and a performance around the piano with
Hershey Felder.
For event information, performance schedule and
tickets, please contact the Laguna Playhouse at
(949) 497-2787 or
www.lagunaplayhouse.com
|
**************************************
WHEN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
VISIT PRIMITIVES AT THE VILLAGE IN LAGUNA BEACH ON THE GOLD
COAST. OVER LOOKING THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
577 S. COAST HWY, LAGUNA
BEACH, CA (949) 376-7632 or go
to:
NATIVE TRIBE-PRIMITIVES LTD
We now have Color Diamonds
*****************
WELCOME TO
SYNERGY
WE PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM
SURROUNDING HOTELS 7 DAYS PER WEEK
(949) 376-7632 (949)
697-5676 Specializing In:
South
Coast Plaza shopping Tours
Laguna Beach shopping Tours
Moon Light Dinner Tours
Shopping Lunch/Dinner Tours
Local Evening Clubbing Tours
Dana Point Harbor Tours
San Juan Mission Tours
Disneyland, Knottsberry farm - Business
use - Parties - Sporting events.
Airport
transfers LAX & John Wayne (Orange County)
Celebrity, Executive and VIP protection
and security services Available. Courier jewelry
and other valuables escorted -Delivery -
Messenger - 24/7.
We also offer fully insured & certified
private chauffeurs serve you at home or
when you travel.
When you prefer Synergy provides clients with
certified and insured chauffeurs who
drive for you in YOUR vehicle.
**************************************
The
Cliff Laguna Beach restaurant!
At Laguna Village
Oceanfront, open-air dining and
cocktails return to the
spectacularly-situated Laguna
Village in Laguna Beach! After a
complete overhaul and updating of
the premises,
The Cliff Laguna
Beach is poised and ready to
greet you with a delightful
selection of California cuisine:
lunch, dinner& shopping.
Where Great People,
Art, Shops and Food all converge
over looking the Gold Coast. Where
at sunset you may be lucky and see
the
Green
Flash.
Laguna Village 577
South Coast Hwy. Laguna Beach, CA
(949)494-1956
**************************************
**************************************
Wineworks
for
Everyone
26342 Oso Pkwy. Suite 103, Mission Viejo, CA, 92691
A retail wine shop, bar and bistro featuring wines from around the world, "new American" cuisine, wine tastings and events. Proprietors are Darren and Jean Coyle, natives of Ireland who have lived in Mission Viejo more than a decade. Darren, a manufacturing company ... more
Javier's Cantina and Grill
45 Fortune Dr., Irvine, CA, 92618
Javier's cozy patio is filled with pristine white banquettes and rustic wooden tables. The entrance is illuminated during the day by sunlight streaming through a window fountain made of amber bottles. The nachos, Callitos Mazatlan and flan are recommended. A margarita is best with this food. (Elizabeth... more
Javier's cozy patio is filled with pristine white banquettes and rustic wooden tables. The entrance is illuminated during the day by sunlight streaming through a window fountain made of amber bottles. The nachos, Callitos Mazatlan and flan are recommended. A margarita is best with this food. (Elizabeth Evans)
Treat Yourself
Like a Goddess
Athena Day Spa
Athena Day Spa enjoys an ocean-side
location on South Coast Highway and
serves the local clietele with
personalized massage and skin care
services in a setting fit for the gods.
Customized therapeutic massage and body
treatments meet your individual needs. A
combination of techniques provide
quality relaxation and relief of
discomfort while you are pampered head
to toe. Specialty massages include Hot
Stone Therapy and the Body Polish. Or
choose the Hydrating Facial, and perhaps
the Signature Renewal and Tetra Peel, a
four layer peel to minimize fine lines,
wrinkles, and minimize pores. Couples
Massage options provide you and your
partner with blissful time together
while experiencing wellness at its best.
Location: 611 S. Coast Hwy., (949)
376-7918,
www.athenadayspa.net
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10a.m. - 6p.m.,
Friday - Saturday, 9a.m. - 7p.m.,
earlier and later times
available by request.
**************************************
 Dr.
Viviane S. Stein
Cosmetic & General Dentistry
31852 S. Coast Hwy., Suite 412
Laguna Beach, CA
949 415.1000
**************************************
WHEN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
VISIT PRIMITIVES AT THE VILLAGE IN LAGUNA BEACH ON THE GOLD
COAST. OVER LOOKING THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
577 S. COAST HWY, LAGUNA
BEACH, CA (949) 376-7632 or go
to:
NATIVE TRIBE-PRIMITIVES LTD
We now have Color Diamonds
*****************
|