Laguna Playhouse Adds 2 Week Run Of BEETHOVEN, AS I KNEW HIM 5/11-23

The Laguna Playhouse is pleased to announce that due to popular demand, it has added an exclusive two week engagement of the critically acclaimed first movement of Hershey Felder's "Composer Sonata," Beethoven, As I Knew Him. This tour-de-force production, written and performed by Felder and directed by Joel Zwick, will be presented at The Laguna Playhouse May 11 - 23.

Hershey Felder's Beethoven, As I Knew Him is a dramatization of a little known true story as told in 1870 (forty-three years after Beethoven's passing) by the person who spent a good part of the maestro's last two years by his side. With a narrative spanning several generations, Hershey Felder combines his acting, piano and musical analytical skills to bring to life the character of Ludwig van Beethoven as he existed through the eyes of one who knew him well.

Featuring some of Beethoven's most famous works, including Moonlight Sonata, Pathetique Sonata, selections from Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 5 and 9, the Grosse Fugue, as well as a movement of Beethoven's great Emperor Concerto, Beethoven, As I Knew Him is a journey through time that will bring audiences closer to the genius of maestro Ludwig van Beethoven himself.

Chris Jones of Chicago Tribune calls Beethoven, As I Knew Him "Heartfelt, intelligent, insightful and moving. The joint was rapt. RAPT." Heidi Weiss of the Chicago Sun Times says the production is "Remarkable. Prodigious. Hypnotic. A chamber piece of exquisite beauty."

Tickets to Hershey Felder's Beethoven, As I Knew Him are $40 to $70. For more information, call (949) 497-2787 or visit www.LagunaPlayhouse.com.

Hershey Felder: Broadway, London's West End: George Gershwin Alone (Helen Hayes Theatre, Duchess Theatre). Regional and international appearances include Beethoven As I Knew Him: Cleveland Play House, Arizona Theatre Company, Geffen Playhouse, The Old Globe Theatre, Drury Lane Water Tower. Monsieur Chopin: Chicago's Royal George Theatre, The Geffen Playhouse, Arizona Theatre Company, American Repertory Theatre, Hartford Stage, Ravinia Festival, The Old Globe, Cleveland Play House; Command Performance for the Polish Ambassador to the United States, Polish Embassy, Washington; Uijeongbu Theatre Festival, South Korea. George Gershwin Alone: 2004-2005 Chicago; 1999-2008 at Ford's Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Hartford Stage, The Geffen Playhouse (2007 Los Angeles Ovation Awards, Best Musical and Best Actor), The Old Globe, Arizona Theatre Company, Prince Music Theatre, Cleveland Play House, The Gilmore Festival, Ravinia, Uijeongbu, and others. Compositions include Aliyah, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra; Fairytale, a musical; Les Anges de Paris, Suite for Violin and Piano; Song Settings, poetry by Vachel Lindsay; Saltimbanques for Piano and Orchestra; Etudes Thematiques for Piano. Recordings include Love Songs of the Yiddish Theatre, Back from Broadway, George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin, and Beethoven, As I Knew Him. Worldwide live broadcast, George Gershwin Alone, July 2005. Current projects include a Negaunee Foundation Chicago composition commission, and a new musical, Nine Hours on Tenth: The Unknown Story of President Lincoln's Last Day. Mr. Felder has been a Scholar in Residence atHarvard University's Department of Music and is married to Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada.

Joel Zwick: Directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time, produced by Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Gary Goetzman. Recent films include Fat Albert(with Bill Cosby), and Elvis Has Left the Building, starring John Corbett and Kim Basinger. Mr. Zwick directed the Broadway production of George Gershwin Alone at the Helen Hayes Theatre, as well as all other productions. Mr. Zwick began his theatrical career at La Mama E.T.C., as director of the La Mama Plexus. He has directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Broadway touring companies. Currently, Mr. Zwick is recognized as one of Hollywood's most prolific director of episodic television, having the direction of 525 episodes to his credit. These include having directed 21 pilots, which have gone on to become regular series. Television shows include: Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Bosom Buddies, Webster, Perfect Strangers, Full House, Step By Step, Family Matters, It's a Living, Bros. Wayans, Joanie Loves Chachi, Jamie Foxx, Kirk, Parent 'Hood, Angie, On Our Own, Two Of A Kind, Love Boat, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, etc. Previous New York productions have included Dance With Me (Tony nomination), Shenandoah (Broadway national tour), Oklahoma (national tour) and Cold Storage (American Place Theater). He acted in the original New York production of MacBird. He directed Esther (Promenade Theater, NY), Merry-Go-Round (Chicago and Las Vegas), Last Chance Saloon and Woycek (West End, London). Mr. Zwick has taught drama at Yale University, Brooklyn College, Queens College, Wheaton College, and the University of Southern California. He is a graduate (B.A., M.A.) of Brooklyn College.

Performance Dates

May 11 - 23, 2010

Tuesday - Saturday at 8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.
Thursday Matinees at 2 p.m.

Ticket Prices
$40 to $70

(Dates and times subject to change)

FOR INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
CALL: 949.497.ARTS (2787) - GROUP SALES: 949.497.2787 ext. 229
VISIT: www.LagunaPlayhouse.com
MOULTON THEATRE: 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California

Parking Information
Laguna Beach is a popular destination year round. On weekends, holidays and during the summer months we strongly encourage theatre patrons who are driving to the theatre to allow plenty of extra time for parking. Paid parking is located across the street in a municipal parking lot; metered parking is available throughout the city. For a nominal fee, patrons may opt to park at the ACT V parking lot, located a mile from the theatre up Laguna Canyon Road, with a free trolley service that runs from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau at (949) 497-9229.

Need more Costa Mesa Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...