Chris Lemmon News

On the heels of successful runs at the Royal George in Chicago, and at Laguna Playhouse and The Broad in Southern California, JACK LEMMON RETURNS makes its way to California's Central Coast for a limited engagement March 11 through March 29 at Ventura's Rubicon Theatre. This enchanting play-with-music is both a revealing portrait of legendary actor Jack Lemmon (Mister Roberts, Some Like it Hot, Days of Wine and Roses, The Odd Couple), and an in-depth, personal look at his relationship with his only son, actor and musician Chris Lemmon (Duets, That's Life, Lena's Holiday, etc.). The production is adapted and directed by impresario Hershey Felder, whose gifts for melding music and story have been celebrated through productions of George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein and The Pianist of Willesden Lane.

?From Citizen Kane, considered by some to be the greatest film of all time, to classic films starring Richard Dreyfuss (who will be on hand) to films about food and food waste and from Sophie Tucker to Dean Kamen

"Music was his dream but acting was his passion." That's how Chris Lemmon describes his famous father Jack in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, the 90-minute play with songs that has settled into the intimate black box theater (The Edye) at the Broad Stage. The show is a tribute to the man who meant the world to him, and offers not only a look into their personal relationship as father and son, but also takes the audience behind the scenes with the kind of Hollywood stories you read about but never get to hear firsthand.

Having broken Geffen Playhouse season production box office records, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin will return to the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse for two weeks only (August 4-16, 2015) following its other pre-booked engagements.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the Orange County premiere of HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN, written and performed by Hershey Felder and directed by Trevor Hay.

Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin is now on-stage in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse. The director is Trevor Hay, who collaborated with the performer and playwright on An American Story, Abe Lincoln's Piano, Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt and The Pianist of Willesden Lane.

Los Angeles favorite Hershey Felder returns to the Geffen Playhouse in Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. The production is directed by Trevor Hay, who has collaborated with the performer and creator on An American Story, Abe Lincoln's Piano, Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt and The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Previews for Irving Berlin began on November 11, the press opening will be tonight, November 19 and the production is currently scheduled to close on December 21, 2014.

Los Angeles favorite Hershey Felder returns to the Geffen Playhouse in Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. The production is directed by Trevor Hay, who has collaborated with the performer and creator on An American Story, Abe Lincoln's Piano, Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt and The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Previews for Irving Berlin begin tonight, November 11, the press opening will be on November 19 and the production is currently scheduled to close on December 21, 2014.

Los Angeles favorite Hershey Felder returns to the Geffen Playhouse in Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. The production is directed by Trevor Hay, who has collaborated with the performer and creator on An American Story, Abe Lincoln's Piano, Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt and The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Previews for Irving Berlin begin on November 11, the press opening will be on November 19 and the production is currently scheduled to close on December 21, 2014.

The story and music of the great composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein comes to life on stage whenThe Town Hall 2014 Summer Season: Broadway Preludes presents Maestro Bernstein, a new play with music written and performed by award-winning actor and musician Hershey Felder (Broadway's GeorgeGershwin Alone). Directed by Joel Zwick, Maestro Bernstein plays one night only, tonight, July 17 at 8PM at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street.)

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Seussical' splashes, 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' 'Clemente' and 'Hansel & Gretel' bow, 'Hank Williams' returns, 'Charlie Brown' takes a hike, plus 'Reefer Madness' at Mayne, Bill Larkin at Davenport's and showtunes at Ravinia. Plus:'Titanic' arrives as 'The Last Ship' sails!

59E59 Theaters will launch the new 5A Season with the New York premiere of THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE, adapted and directed by Hershey Felder, based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane: Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival (Grand Central Publishing, 2003) by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. Produced by Geffen Playhouse in association with Eighty-Eight Entertainment and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE begins performances tonight, July 11 for a limited engagement through Sunday, August 24.

The story and music of the great composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein comes to life on stage whenThe Town Hall 2014 Summer Season: Broadway Preludes presents Maestro Bernstein, a new play with music written and performed by award-winning actor and musician Hershey Felder (Broadway's GeorgeGershwin Alone). Directed by Joel Zwick, Maestro Bernstein plays one night only, Thursday, July 17 at 8PMat The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street.)

The Laguna Playhouse in association with Hershey Felder, Samantha F. Voxakis and Susan & Moses Libitzky will present Hershey Felder's newest production, the West Coast premiere of Chris Lemmon starring as his father Jack Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, a play with music about a world famous dad and his son, written and directed by audience favorite Hershey Felder. JACK LEMMON RETURNS will perform for two weeks only, with a press opening scheduled for tonight, June 12, and run through Sunday, June 22 at the Laguna Playhouse, Moulton Theatre, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd. in Laguna Beach.

Due to popular demand, the World Premiere of Chris Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, will be extended from June 25 through July 20 at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. After a brief hiatus starting June 8, the production that has been called 'A very classy solo tribute!' (Chicago Tribune); 'An honest, loving 'living memoir'!' (Chicago Sun-Times); and "An affectionate and all-together absorbing tribute!" (TimeOut Chicago) will return to Chicago for this strictly limited engagement.

The Laguna Playhouse in association with Hershey Felder, Samantha F. Voxakis and Susan & Moses Libitzky will present Hershey Felder's newest production, the West Coast premiere of Chris Lemmon starring as his father Jack Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, a play with music about a world famous dad and his son, written and directed by audience favorite Hershey Felder. JACK LEMMON RETURNS will perform for two weeks only beginning Wednesday, June 11 (with a press opening scheduled for Thursday, June 12) and run through Sunday, June 22 at the Laguna Playhouse, Moulton Theatre, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd. in Laguna Beach.

59E59 Theaters will launch the new 5A Season with the New York premiere of THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE, adapted and directed by Hershey Felder, based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane: Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival (Grand Central Publishing, 2003) by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. Produced by Geffen Playhouse in association with Eighty-Eight Entertainment and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE begins performances on Friday, July 11 for a limited engagement through Sunday, August 24. Opening Night is Tuesday, July 22 at 7 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7 PM; Friday at 8 PM; Saturday at 2 PM & 8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM & 7 PM. Single tickets, which go one sale to 59E59 Members on May 19 and to the general public on May 27, are $70 ($49 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.59e59.org.

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder presents the World Premiere of Chris Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, a new play with music. The production opened last night, Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. The production is written and directed by Hershey Felder and based on the true story of the legendary Jack Lemmon (Mister Roberts, Some Like it Hot, Days of Wine and Roses, The Odd Couple) and his relationship with his son, actor and musician Chris Lemmon (Duet, That's Life, Lena's Holiday, etc.).

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein and last season's smash hit Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane) will present the World Premiere of Chris Lemmon in Jack Lemmon Returns, a new play with music. The production opens on Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. The production is written and directed by Hershey Felder and based on the true story of the legendary Jack Lemmon (Mister Roberts, Some Like it Hot, Days of Wine and Roses, The Odd Couple) and his relationship with his son, actor and musician Chris Lemmon (Duet, That's Life, Lena's Holiday, etc.). Scroll down for some photos from the production!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Welcome to the '60s, with 'How To Succeed,' 'Motown,' 'Cabaret' and 'Hair,' plus tributes to Jack Lemmon and the Carpenters, the upcoming 'Jersey Boys' film, 'Option Up!,' that one-night 'Parade' concert and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Tony Award Viewing Party!