Five Questions With Hershey Felder

Guests at this year’s 60th season Gala, which is Oct. 14 at SCR and the Westin South Coast Plaza, will get a sneak peek at one of the 60th season’s performers—Hershey Felder. That performance begins at 6 p.m. on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

The actor/playwright/pianist will take Gala patrons through 100 years of music with his Great American Songbook Sing-Along, incorporating the music of Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and George and Ira Gershwin.

Felder returns to SCR Jan. 18-28 for a limited special engagement of a completely different work—Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone.

We had the opportunity to catch up with Felder, who discussed how the Great American Songbook Sing-Along came about and what special moments await Gala patrons, among other topics.

What makes this performance different than George Gershwin Alone?

Hershey Felder: “The Gershwin Alone performance is the story of the great American composer George Gershwin, through his own compositions, and the true events of his life. The story follows a theatrical arc whereby at the end of the story, the only individual in the room (theatre) who doesn’t know what happens to his life’s work is George Gershwin himself. Why that is, is a very moving tale, and entirely different tale than the story of an audience that is reflected through a selection of the songs that are part of the American ether.”

What went into creating Great American Songbook Sing-Along? How did you come up with the idea and how did you select the songs?

HF: “A wonderfully nutty story. I was performing the Gershwin production on Broadway at the Helen Hayes. Suddenly in the second part of the show, I began playing the famous opening rotating chords and harmonies to “Summertime.” Before I could play the theme or open my mouth to sing, a lady in the balcony in full voice, opened her mouth and began to sing. I was stunned. Who does that? People who can’t contain themselves. I wondered if given the opportunity would audience members sing? I created an encore where together, we attended a “Gershwin party,” the way he would have had one back in. the ’20s and ’30s in New York. Sure enough, everyone sang. Then I wondered—what if I did the same with beloved American songs that are not just Gershwin? Not only did everyone sing, but the whole thing became a “thing.” Young singers would come to be heard, people who had been singing came to be heard. Choruses came to sing along. The general public came to sing and laugh. And I played the happy accompanist telling funny stories while making music together with the crowd. It was and still is a real coming together of folks.”

Take us through the Sing-Along. What can guests expect?

HF: “To sing. And laugh, and maybe, if the moment is right, shed a tear. But essentially, to be engaged with who we are as a group, no matter our differences, we all share one thing in common. The need to find common ground. When a group sings together—no matter their individual feelings about anything, it leaves us all with a whole lot of hope for the future.”

How does Great American Songbook Sing-Along appeal to a variety of ages?

HF: “Covering so much—almost three quarters of a century of music—allows for everyone to find something they like. The most fun discoveries are when young people discover that songs (or covers of songs) that they thought were of “now” were actually sung by their grandparents. At one of these, we had five generations, from 6-years-old to 87-years-old. A magic evening.”

What are your thoughts about performing at SCR’s 60^th season Gala? What makes this special to you?

HF: “Way cool. SCR has been one of the places I have wanted to appear for the longest time. I’d like to say my appearance is decades in the making. I’ve known and performed for audiences to the North and to the South. Which means I’m coming to the center of it all, finally—SCR. And for the 60th anniversary. It’s an honor to be one very tiny part of such an incredible milestone.”

Following Felder’s Gala performance, dinner will be served at the Westin, followed by dancing and entertainment, including an afterparty on the Westin roof featuring a DJ, drinks and light bites.

Don’t miss your opportunity to sing along with Felder as you support the world-class theatre and award-winning educational programs SCR provides. Get your tickets now for what promises to be a memorable night of celebration.