THE KATE FOCUSES A SPOTLIGHT ON AL HIRSCHFELD AND HIS THEATER ART

Al Hirschfeld lived an artist’s life of almost a century long, an American caricaturist known for his sketches of Broadway stars and celebrities. To be drawn by Hirschfeld was a sure sign you had made it to the top of your career. He loved drawing, first in political cartoons and later of show business stars. In order not to distract or embarrass his subjects, he would keep a small pad and pencil in his pocket and sketch without the benefit of seeing what he drew. He used a genuine crow quill with black ink when he returned to his studio to complete his work. Hirschfeld was considered to be one of the most important artists in his genre, influencing a tremendous number of cartoonists and illustrators.

You have the unique opportunity to experience the man, small in stature but large in personality, a cross between Santa Claus and Moses, with a flowing white beard. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook will present Hirschfeld's Broadway, a Multi-Media Presentation on Wednesday, October 29 at 7 p.m.

Hirschfeld plied his craft for eight decades and his drawings were so identifiable they are called “the logo of the AmericanTheatre.” David Leopold, Creative Director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation, will share insights and anecdotes on such productions and personalities from Fiddler on the Roof, Barbra Streisand’s audition for her first Broadway show, Hello Dolly!, My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast and Hairspray and many more. He wasn’t called The Line King for nothing.

For tickets ($28), call The Kate, 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook at 860-510-0473 or online at thekate.org/event/hirschfelds-broadway/ The presentation will be followed by an exclusive pop-up gallery of hand signed limited edition prints from the artist's personal collection that are highly collectible. Half of every sale will benefit The Kate.

An extra treat will be learning how Al Hirschfeld hid the name of his daughter Nina in his fascinating work, in a hairdo or a sleeve, and the number of Ninas to the right of his signature. He called them his “harmless insanity.” It began as a gag for his friends but the world discovered them and were furious when he stopped. So he continued, because it was easier to insert them again than to answer all the mail demanding they return.