Photos by HTG Productions Playing George Gershwin,
Hershey Felder performs one of the famous
composer’s first hits, which was featured in the theatrical
production, "Swanee."
By Barbara McGuire
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
In 1919, George Gershwin, was a little known rehearsal pianist
who knew he enjoyed music, but wasn’t sure if he could ever
make a living from it.
Today, Gershwin, a world-renowned composer, is the focus of a
one-man show, “George Gershwin Alone,” on stage at the
Tiffany Theater.
Written by Hershey Felder, who also plays the lead role, and
directed by Joel Zwick, the piece has Gershwin reliving the
greatest moments in his life. The play follows the composer from
the time he first heard music at age 10, to his first hit song,
“A Rhapsody in Blue,” which managed to impress the
world as well as the critical press.
A master pianist who began performing on the concert stage at
11-years-old, Felder amazes audiences through his brilliant
portrayal of Gershwin, and stuns them with his ability to play the
piano and sing beautifully.
Felder actually memorized at least five of Gershwin’s
works, ranging from Gershwin’s first break with a song from
“Swanee,” to his biggest flop, an entire score for the
production of “Porgy and Bess.”
This production of “George Gershwin Alone,” marks
the fourth time the play’s run has been extended in the
theater.
The play was recently nominated for an Ovation Award for
Writing, and will make stops in West Palm Beach and Coral Springs,
Florida, before moving on to Broadway in the spring of 2001.
 Felder’s musical gifts help him transform
completely into his role as Gershwin.
The production deserves all the praise and success it has
garnered. The tale is rich and full of funny moments. Though it
seems as if one could attribute the production’s success
solely to the fact that Gershwin’s life seems to truly have
an been an interesting adventure, without such a remarkable
performance on Felder’s part, the show would not have such
personality.
Felder is truly the star of the evening, shining in his finale
performance of “A Rhapsody In Blue,” a song many
audience members may recognize from “Fantasia
2000.”
The play, however, does not come to a happy ending. During the
show the audience learns how the constant headaches, that Gershwin
believed were the result of having been kicked in the head by a
horse as a child, are actually the result of a large, inoperable
tumor. As a result of his illness, Gershwin dies in Hollywood on
July 11, 1937 without ever truly receiving the recognition he that
he deserved.
“George Gershwin Alone” is the first production ever
made about the composer’s life and struggles, so that in a
sense he is at last receiving the recognition that he always
deserved.
With a simple set, consisting mainly of a grand piano,
“George Gershwin Alone” manages to impress the audience
through a moving and engaging, fictionalized story line. The
audience laughs, sighs and cries right along with Felder, through
the small, personal details, such as how Gershwin’s father
was always changing the words of Gershwin’s songs due to his
thick Russian accent.
An especially interesting aspect of the set is the three
portraits that adorn the walls. Gershwin was more than just a
superb and unique composer; he was also an accomplished painter.
These portraits, featuring his mother, Rose Bruskin Gershwin, his
maternal grandfather, and himself, are actually original works by
Gershwin.
Gershwin’s amazing, yet little known, life is summed up in
a quote from the play’s program, an epitaph he wrote for
himself as a publicity stunt for “Vanity Fair”
magazine.
“Here lies the body of George Gershwin, American Composer.
Composer? American?”
THEATER: “George Gershwin Alone” is now playing on
its final extension through Dec. 17 at the Tiffany Theater, 8532
Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Performances are Tuesday through
Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ticket prices
range from $35.00 to $42.50, and can be purchased by calling (310)
289-2999. More information is also available at www.georgegershwinalone.com.