Bucks County Playhouse Presents World Premiere of "Hirschfeld's Broadway"

NEW HOPE, PA — “Hirschfeld’s Broadway,” a new multi-media presentation illustrating and celebrating some of the most loved moments in American theater as drawn by Al Hirschfeld, is coming to the Bucks County Playhouse for one show only on Sept. 28.

Hosted by the Al Hirschfeld Foundation’s Creative Director, David Leopold, the world-premiere presentation will feature backstage stories of Hirschfeld’s interactions with theater
legends, nine decades of Hirschfeld’s iconic artwork and searches for the hidden “Nina”s within. The one-night-only event beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20. To purchase tickets, visit BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or call 215-862-2121.

“Hirschfeld’s Broadway” takes audiences from a rehearsal of "On the Town" to the third row, on the aisle, of the opening of "Hairspray."

Leopold will reveal firsthand fascinating accounts of Hirschfeld’s encounters with the biggest names in the business. Patrons will encounter some of the most influential productions of the last 60 years, such as Hello Dolly!, Fiddler on the Roof, Funny Girl, Cabaret, Annie, Sweeney Todd, Cats, Les Misérables, Fences, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, and Rent, through the eyes and pen of The Line King.

Leopold will tell the remarkable stories of what Hirschfeld witnessed at Barbra Streisand’s audition for her first Broadway show, to the vivid description of all of Broadway coming out for the dedication of the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. He will also show and tell how NINA entered
Hirschfeld’s pictures, and how this fun game has been used in war and peace.

Following the show, The Al Hirschfeld Foundation and the Playhouse will offer a public gallery of Hirschfeld’s artwork, with hand signed limited edition prints available for sale at Playhouse Deck, the venue’s onsite restaurant and bar. Proceeds from the sale will be split between the two nonprofits.

Al Hirschfeld has been virtually synonymous with American Theatre since his first theatrical drawing was published in December 1926. For the next eight decades, he was an indispensable part of the theater experience in America.

Hirschfeld’s art is so iconic it has been called “the logo of the American Theatre.”

Hirschfeld’s relationship to Bucks County Playhouse dates to 1939, when he was present to document the opening night at the New Hope venue. Hirschfeld’s drawing of the event
appeared on the front page of the New York Times theater section on Sunday, July 9, 1939. Leopold will tell the tale of how that drawing almost cost Hirschfeld his career.