Hershey Felder Tickets

The best performance-based storytelling/documentary/drama/comedy/musical entertainment/Q&A (and much more) is back for a brief time @Balboa Theater. Starting way back when he was performing at the Old Globe (Chopin), Hershey has never skipped a beat (even during COVID!). His performances are always wonderfully entertaining - and you learn SO much about the character topic that at the end, it's such a whirlwind trip that you and your companions are busy leaving the theater and discussing the life and times (for this instance, Rachmaninoff) of the person just portrayed so well moments before. Shout out to the Balboa Theater staff - haven't been there in a while - but the welcome friendliness is just as I remember from years back. BTW - get the single pour of wine; I couldn't finish the double during the show - it was tremendously generous. And... I'm still dropping hints into the wife's ears of trips to Florence! :-)

We love everything that Hershey Felder does, from his writing, to the acting and the expression of his musical talents. What a talent he is! We make sure to see every production and we've never been disappointed. It would have helped to be able to download the program ahead of time instead of having to scan a QR code at the concert hall; very difficult to read on a phone. So we never got to read any of the program notes.

All I can say is if you've never been to one of Hershey Felder's performances, you'll be forever hooked once you do. He is absolutely a musical genius and is a master at transforming himself into whichever composer he portrays. He is able to draw in his audience like no one I've ever seen and I will always attend any of his productions, no matter whom he is showcasing. He is that good.

This production was about Rachmaninoff and the Tsar and their relationship throughout the years. For the first time, Hershey has another actor in the live show (to portray the Tsar, of course). Mr. Felder plays the music of Rachmaninoff as he tells this story and his performances are exquisite!

A wonderful evening of music and history, the acting - stellar, the sets and lighting, absolutely beautiful. Rachmaninoff would be proud!

I've been to almost every Hershey Felder show; he is an amazing pianist, singer, and actor. A virtuoso in every regard, and I am always awestruck watching him. I liked this show a lot, although I thought there was too much talking endnote enough music in the first one-third or so. Learning the backstory of Rachmaninoff's life and more about Russian history was fascinating, and the use of photographs and movies to bring the story to life was well done.

I had not seen any works of Hershey Felder before and I was totally amazed that a 2-person show could be that captivating. 2 hours with no intermissions and Mr Felder acted as R., sang, played the piano marvelously, and convinced me that I was really watching R and hearing his thoughts, joys, and regrets. While I understand Mr Felder has previously done 1-man shows, I think having another actor participating on stage deepened the emotional intensity.

Hershey Felder is a force of nature. I have seen most, if not all, of his shows and each one is a gem. He is a must see, especially if you are into composers’ lives.

Beautiful music. Interesting story and dialog. Overall very entertaining. Even Q and A at the end. Highly recommended.

I am an admittedly biased fan of both Felder and Rachmaninoff, so I was keenly anticipating this event. I already knew most of the Rachmaninoff story, and I had also seen Felder's earlier movie on the subject, but it is always special to see and hear him in live performance. Felder's trademark audience Q&A at the end is always a delight, and the rousing performance of Rachmaninoff's own piano version of our national anthem was a moving and very fitting encore.