Asolo Rep Announces MAESTRO: The Art of Leonard Bernstein

Asolo Repertory Theatre today announced adding a new title to its season-Hershey Felder in MAESTRO: The Art of Leonard Bernstein, a new work from the creators of George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin and Beethoven, As I Knew Him.

With a story spanning the entire twentieth century, Leonard Bernstein, America's greatest musician, broke through every artistic ceiling possible to become the world's musical ambassador. Conductor, composer, pianist, author, teacher, librettist, television star...for Leonard Bernstein boundaries simply did not exist.

Join us on this fascinating journey as Hershey Felder brings to life the composer of West Side Story, Candide, Mass and more. The show, running from June 8-12, 2011, in the Mertz Theatre, replaces Felder's Beethoven, As I Knew Him originally scheduled during this time.

Please call the box office for more information at 941-351-8000; toll free 800-361-8366, or check online at www.asolorep.org

Hershey Felder (George Gershwin/Leonard Bernstein/Playwright) Broadway, London's West End: George Gershwin Alone (Helen Hayes Theatre, Duchess Theatre). Regional and international appearances of Composers Sonata 1999 - 2011 - George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven, As I Knew Him, and Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein - include Old Globe Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Geffen Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Ford's Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, American Repertory Theatre, Hartford Stage, Ravinia Festival, Chicago's Royal George Theatre, Prince Music Theatre (Philadelphia), The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, Uijeongbu Theatre Festival (South Korea) and many others.

Command Performance of Monsieur Chopin for the Polish Ambassador to the United States, Polish Embassy, Washington.

Winner of 2007 Los Angeles Ovation Awards, Best Musical and Best Actor for George Gershwin Alone. 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; Nine Hours on Tenth: The Unknown Story of Lincoln's Last Day for actor and orchestra. Recordings include Love Songs of the Yiddish Theatre, Back from Broadway, George Gershwin Alone and Monsieur Chopin for the WFMT Radio Network Recordings label, Beethoven, As I Knew Him for the Eighty Eight Entertainment label.

Worldwide live broadcast, George Gershwin Alone, July 2005. Current projects include a new musical, Nine Hours on Tenth:The Unknown Story of President Lincoln's Last Day, which had its world premiere in Los Angeles in November 2009.

It was recorded with the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra, comprised of members of the Chicago Symphony and Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestras and conducted by Alan Heatherington. Mr. Felder has been a Scholar in Residence at Harvard University's Department of Music and is married to Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada.