HIRSCHFELD'S BROADWAY Comes to George Street Playhouse This Month
Hirschfeld's Broadway will take place in the Arthur Laurents Theater, between the matinee and evening performances of My Lord, What a Night.
George Street Playhouse will host Hirschfeld's Broadway a special benefit event taking place Saturday May 16 at 5pm at George Street Playhouse (11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901). Hirschfeld's Broadway will take place in the Arthur Laurents Theater, between the matinee and evening performances of My Lord, What a Night.
Join George Street Playhouse for Hirschfeld's Broadway, a dynamic 60-minute multimedia experience celebrating some of the most beloved moments in American theater - brought to life through the legendary illustrations of Al Hirschfeld.
Hosted by David Leopold, Creative Director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation, this exclusive presentation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Hirschfeld's interactions with theater icons, showcases nine decades of his iconic artwork, and invites audiences to discover the hidden “Ninas” woven into his drawings.
Following the presentation, enjoy a special pop-up gallery in the Arthur Laurents Theater lobby featuring hand-signed, limited-edition Hirschfeld prints available for purchase. All net proceeds benefit George Street Playhouse.
Admission is free, with a $10 minimum suggested donation. Tickets are available at www.georgestreetplayhouse.org or by calling 732-258-7556.
Al Hirschfeld's drawings stand as one of the most innovative efforts in establishing the visual language of modern art through caricature in the 20th century. A self-described “characterist,” his signature work, defined by a linear calligraphic style, appeared in virtually every major publication of the last nine decades (including a 75-year relationship with The New York Times) as well as numerous book and record covers and 15 postage stamps.
Hirschfeld said his contribution was to take the character, created by the playwright and portrayed by the actor, and reinvent it for the reader. Playwright Terrence McNally wrote: "No one 'writes' more accurately of the performing arts than Al Hirschfeld. He accomplishes on a blank page with his pen and ink in a few strokes what many of us need a lifetime of words to say."
He is represented in many public collections, including the Metropolitan, the Whitney, the National Portrait Gallery, and Harvard's Theater Collection. Hirschfeld authored several books including Manhattan Oases and Show Business is No Business in addition to 10 collections of his work. He was declared a Living Landmark by the New York City Landmarks Commission in 1996 and a Living Legend by the Library of Congress in 2000.
Just before his death in January 2003, he learned he was to be awarded the Medal of Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts and inducted into the Academy of Arts and Letters. The winner of two Tony Awards, he was to be given the ultimate Broadway accolade on what would have been his 100th birthday in June 2003. The Martin Beck Theater was renamed the Al Hirschfeld Theater.
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