Acclaimed HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN Comes to Berkeley Rep

The story and music of America's Composer come to life on stage when Berkeley Repertory Theatre stages a special presentation of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, a play-with-music written and performed by award-winning actor and musician Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Hershey Felder as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro). Directed by Trevor Hay, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin will play Tuesday, April 4 - Sunday, April 30, 2017. Subscribers to

Berkeley Rep's 2016-17 season can purchase individual tickets starting Thursday, August 25 online at berkeleyrep.org or by phone, 510 647-2949. Tickets will be available to the general public at a date later to be announced.

Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, which has previously played to rave reviews and broken box office records at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse, Chicago's Royal George Theatre, the La Jolla Playhouse, Boston's Majestic Theatre, and New York's Town Hall, will also have future engagements planned throughout the United States. David C. Nichols of The Los Angeles Times wrote "that indefatigable purveyor of composers, Hershey Felder, applies his singular blend of musical biography, character study and piano virtuosity toward the iconic songwriter. The empathy, showmanship and craft on tap may just be the best match of historical figure and performing artist yet." Chris Jones, writing inThe Chicago Tribune, raved, "Felder is the impresario whose relationship with audiences is long-standing, intimate and mutually adoring.

Internationally acclaimed virtuoso pianist Hershey Felder wowEd Berkeley Rep audiences in recent seasons with his soaring portraits of composers like Bernstein, Chopin, and Gershwin. Now he's back with the inspiring story of "America's Composer" in a tour-de-force performance. From Czarist Russia to New York's Lower East Side, Irving Berlin's story epitomizes the American Dream. Featuring the composer's most popular and enduring songs, including "Blue Skies," "God Bless America," "Puttin' on the Ritz," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "White Christmas," and more, Felder's signature creation of character and musical performance will make this evening with Irving Berlin an unforgettable journey.

Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin features scenic design by Felder and Hay, lighting design by Richard Norwood, projection design by Christopher Ash and Lawrence Siefert, and sound design/production management by Erik Carstensen. The show is produced by Eva Price, Samantha F. Voxakis, and Karen Racanelli.