LINCOLN: AN AMERICAN STORY: 74% – BITTERSWEET

Hershey Felder in "Lincoln: An American Story" at the Pasadena Playhouse. Credit: Craig Schwartz.

SWEET
In this his Lincoln – An American Story, Hershey Felder the actor, guided by Joel Zwick’s generously even direction, plays with great sensitivity, showing a seldom seen compassionate side of his artistic temperament.
Don Grigware – Grigware Blogspot

SWEET
Despite its stylistic excesses, the substance of “Lincoln” resonates. In a time of national crisis, Charles Leale had the right stuff. His competent, concrete patriotism — a far cry from today’s hollow political rhetoric –- moves and inspires.
Charlotte Stoudt – LA Times

BITTERSWEET
Like our distressed homeland, this event is filled with promise, but it is hoped that Felder and Zwick do some serious retooling before Lincoln – An American Story plays in repertory with the other Felder creations. Until then, this is theater of the Felder, by the Felder, and for the Felder.
Tony Frankel – Stage and Cinema

BITTER
Mr. Felder is a remarkable man, but either this needs serious reworking or there is a need for an about-face back to the kind of subjects who fit his more usual format.
Frances Baum Nicholson – Stage Struck Review

BITTERSWEET
Though Leale’s perspective on Lincoln’s assassination is often compelling, the show strains for direction and inspiration. We need to see more of Leale’s desperation and emptiness, how those bleak feelings affected his life and career, and how they were mirrored by American society. Until then, the show is best regarded as an offbeat historical take that’s evolving and growing as it goes.
Eric Marchese – Backstage

SWEET
Felder is directed by Joel Zwick who directed Felder’s other shows, but perhaps another set of eyes and ears would really help polish this show which in its current form is still good and emotionally moving.
Jana Monji – LA Examiner

SWEET
Stirring and at times spellbinding.
Candyce Columbus – LA Examiner

SWEET
This play of history is itself a work of history, and a blending of old with new, and a tribute to lives lost in 1865 and perhaps a message for today of tolerance and hope for tomorrow.
Laura Tull – LA Examiner

SWEET
Felder has once again created a gem in his telling of story of the Lincoln assassination as witnessed by a young doctor who was there during the whole event until the moment Lincoln died.
Robert Machray – Blog Critics

SWEET
If you enjoy some intellect with your story telling, if historical drama is a favorite, then Felder’s shows can’t be missed.
Mark Share – EyeSpyLA

BITTER
Until now, I had been enjoying Felder’s work about composers. But Lincoln is an unwelcome stretch for him. He has abandoned the keyboard and instead employs a 45-piece symphony orchestra, which plays his music. And…he sings.
Don Shirley – LA Stage Watch

SWEET
That’s not to say Felder is completely alone onstage. The background symphony removes any sense of isolation and imbues the performance with a grandiosity that, when paired with Felder’s gravitas, gives this lone performer a sense of mythos.
Michael Chasin – Daily Trojan

SWEET
Riding a wave of increased interest in our 16th president, Hershey Felder has written, composed and arranged, and is enacting, “Lincoln — An American Story.”
Bob Verini – Variety

LINCOLN: AN AMERICAN STORY
Pasadena Playhouse
39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena
8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; Ends April 7, 2012
Tickets: $54-$100; (626) 356-7529
Running time: 75 minutes