I attended a performance of Rachmaninoff And The Tsar at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica starring Pianist/actor/playwright/producer, Hershey Felder and for the first time, a second actor Italian Jonathan Silvestri. The show runs through August 25, 2024. CLICK HERE for more info about the show. See below for my reivew.
Eli and Edythe Broad Stage Hershey Felder
Hershey Felder; photo by Stefano Decarli; courtesy of HFP LIVE
Hershey Felder gives a masterful, powerful and commanding performance as Sergei Rachmaninoff. This virtuoso plays piano with joy, passionate emotion and complete abandonment while taking us on a musical journey. Rachmaninoff’s world famous C# minor Prelude to his second piano concerto, his symphonies and Paganini Variations are featured.
I’ve had the extreme pleasure of seeing Felder over the years in many of his solo productions. He has portrayed several composers including Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy and George Gershwin to name a few. And he’s brilliant in all of them. Rachmaninoff and the Tsar, the new musical play, at the Broad Stage is no exception. Moreover, this play is a bit of a departure for Felder. As I mentioned earlier, he plays opposite another artist, Roman–Italian Jonathan Silvestri, in the role of Nicholas II. This was a rare treat.
Rachmaninoff And The Tsar
When the play begins, we find Sergio Rachmaninoff alone in his garden. It is 1942 and he’s living in his home in Beverly Hills, California. At 68, he has a terminal illness that has brought forth a memory that keeps haunting him. It is of an encounter with the Tsar, Nicholas II, and the Tsar’s daughter, the Grand Duchess Anastasia.
Jonathan Silvestri (left), Hershey Felder; photo by Stefano Decarli; photo courtesy of HFP LIVE
Wonderfully directed by Trevor Hay, with book by Felder, Rachmaninoff and the Tsar is compelling and fascinating. Rachmaninoff was forced to leave his country of Russia during the 1917 revolution. He made his home far from Russia, but his soul never left.
With elegant scenic design by Felder, and stunning film projections by Stefano Decarli, everything works together seamlessly. We feel and understand Rachmaninoff’s beautiful memories of his wife and family. We witness the horror and sadness from projections of actual footage of Russian soldiers marching during the revolution. Lighting by Erik S. Barry and sound and production by Erik Carstensen add meaningful elements to the story. Costumes by Marysol Gabriel and hair by Tom Watson are integral in transporting us back in time.
Another incredible musical masterpiece by Hershey Felder!
RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR runs through August 25, 2024, with performances at 7:30pm. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and at 2pm. and 7:30pm. on Saturday and Sunday. The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage is located at 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. For information and reservations, call 213-544-0477 or visit https://broadstage.org
