Review of The Old Globe - "Beethoven As I Knew Him"

The Old Globe Theatre of San Diego continues to offer subscribers and patrons a series of first rate, eclectic productions. Case in point, the world premiere of the current Hershey Felder production "Beethoven, As I Knew Him" now on the main stage.

It's a skillful and studied one-man performance by a master pianist and portraitist who enriches the Beethoven legend, both musically and anecdotally. (Felder also performs as Frederic Chopin and George Gershwin at The Old Globe this June in a series he's entitled The Composer Sonata.)

As Dr. Gerhard von Bruening, one of the characters Felder portrays says, "Mozart was the voice of God, and if that's true, then Beethoven must be the fingers of God." As the irascible genius Beethoven, Felder displays his considerable talent as a concert pianist with sensitive and assured technical renditions of the Pathetique Sonata and the Piano Sonata 14, better known as the Moonlight Sonata.

What makes the performance all the more satisfying is Felder's ability as actor to deliver lines while playing some of the world's best loved classical music. It's a special gift he displays with feeling and relish. It's a 90 minute dazzling tour de force of glorious music and inspired theatre.

As unique a talent as Hershey Felder is - he wrote the text for the show - he doesn't do it all by himself. Without the keen and creative eye of director Joel Zwick ( a seasoned stage, movie and TV director), scenic designer Francois-Pierre Couture, and production designers Andrew Wilder and Christopher Ash, I doubt the culmulative effect of this production would have the impact it does.

We are visually treated to a stage production that makes the most of the performing disciplines: a piano concert, singing, stage acting techniques, along with a multi-media presentation - brilliantly blended with nuanced graphic overlays - and a lighting plot that makes the entire evening a visual and auditory delight.

The night I attended a special treat was in store for the audience. Following the conclusion of the performance, Felder announced from the stage that he would be most happy to entertain questions from the audience. "Please ask whatever you want and I'll try to answer all of your questions. Anything. About Beethoven, the script, anything. It's my pleasure."

With that invitation the questions from the audience flowed to the stage. For the next 30 minutes with grace, charm, and humor - the tools of the consumate professional - he shared his passion for music, the arts, and the need for communication between performer and audience. For those who feel the chasm between performer and audience is often too wide, on this night, they experienced a rare evening of closeness and candor. It's hard to converse with a movie screen or have interesting and insightful discourse with a performer in the midst of 50,000 rock concert fans. But in the world of live theatre everything is possible. That's the beauty and uniqueness of live theatre.

When Hershey Felder performs his "Monsieur Chopin" homage to the great Polish composer from June 11 thru June 22; seats at The Old Globe will be hard to get. Following on the heels of Chopin, Felder's tribute to American music comes in the form "George Gershwin Alone" which he presents June 25 thru June 29; for a limited one week engagement. Over the last ten years, Felder has performed his Gershwin show more than 2300 times all over the world.

Tickets to see his Gershwin tribute also will be very hard to come by. But if you attend you will learn things about Chopin and Gershwin from Hershey Felder you never knew before; I guarantee it! Don't miss either of these shows. You won't be disapointed. Contact The Old Globe box office at http://www.theoldglobe.com/.