Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC) will present pianist/actor/playwright/producer Hershey Felder for a limited engagement of “Rachmaninoff and the Tsar,” a new musical, Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, April 20 at the New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara.
Known worldwide for his solo composer plays, for the first time, Felder appears opposite another actor, British-Italian Jonathan Silvestri, in the role of Tsar Nicholas II.
“Rachmaninoff and the Tsar” is the fourth production of ETC’s 2024-25 season.
Having safely left Russia during the 1917 revolution, legendary pianist-composer Sergei Rachmaninoff made his home in the U.S. In 1942, at the age of 68, he applied for American citizenship and bought a home in Beverly Hills, but his soul never left Russia.
Six months later, a terminal illness brought forth the memory of an encounter with Russia’s last Tsar, Nicholas II, and the tsar’s daughter, the Grand Duchess Anastasia. The memory would haunt him until the end.
Featuring Rachmaninoff’s most beautiful music including the Second Piano Concerto, the Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, Preludes, and Symphonic Selections, “Rachmaninoff and the Tsar” had its world premiere at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
“I have had the privilege of knowing and presenting Hershey Felder for over a decade, and I am thrilled to welcome him to Ensemble Theatre Company with ‘Rachmaninoff and the Tsar,’”said Scott DeVine ETC’s executive artistic director.
“Hershey’s unparalleled ability to merge music, history and storytelling makes this production a truly special experience for our audiences,” DeVine said. “This new work delves into the fascinating intersection of art and power, showcasing Rachmaninoff’s genius against the backdrop of history.”
Since the 1998 premiere of his internationally lauded play with music “George Gershwin Alone” Felder has appeared on stages throughout the U.S. and abroad, giving more than 6,000 performances on stages in original works that include George Gershwin Alone, Beethoven, Maestro Bernstein, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, as well at appearances of Our Great Tchaikovsky, A Paris Love Story – Debussy.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Added performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8; 3 p.m. Saturday, April 12; 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 16; and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19.
Ticket prices range from $25-$94. All patrons 35 and under are always $35. Student tickets are $25. Prices subject to change.