Are Not
IT'S NOT
YOUR FAULT!
90s, were able to enjoy their son's suc-
cess. Dolly Haas, his devoted wife of
51 years and mother of Nina, also was
a strong supporter. Until her death in
1994, Dolly remained by his side.
Nina, who has two children and lives
in Texas, remains close with her
father. Today, Hirschfeld is married to
much more than satirize an obvious
physical feature; he comments on
the person behind the public per-
sona. To people in the theater, hav-
ing a caricature by Hirschfeld
means that they have arrived."
Dennis Miller, assistant professor
of graphic design at the University
of Michigan, says Hirschfeld is dis-
cussed in the history of graphic
design courses at U-M because of
his influence on American illustra-
tion. He also is studied in courses
in persuasive media, such as adver-
tising, because of the degree he has
influenced the American idea of
celebrity as an icon.
"His illustrations make people
larger than life," Miller says.
"Hirschfeld has managed to retain a
singular voice throughout his career
— he is impossible to imitate,
although many have tried. In fact,
an original Hirschfeld easily goes
for thousands of dollars."
Although his work is character-
ized as caricature, there isn't any
meanness of spirit in his drawings,
adds Miller. "His work is full of
mischief and wit, but there is no
malice. He can find a way to work
in a field that is inherently mali-
cious, and still be more about wit."
Over the years, Hirschfeld trav-
eled out of town for big opening
nights, and a few times landed in
Detroit at the Fisher Theatre. "He
was here for the opening of Hello
Dolly, with Carol Charming, and
for Fiddler on the Roof, with Zero
Mostel," recalls Joe Nederlander,
one of the Fisher's owners.
"Hirschfeld has an uncanny
sense of capturing the man along
with his part. I met him at Sardi's
and at several opening nights, and
he is an amazing man.
"Everyone in the theater knows
him — he is so high profile. And
it's no wonder — I don't know any-
one else who can do what Al
Hirschfeld does. What a gift he
has."
❑
— Alice Burdick Schweiger
a longtime friend, theater historian
Louise Kerz.
Just as Hirschfeld is finishing
reflecting on his life, the housekeeper
appears at the door. "Your next
appointment is here," she says, trying
not to be intrusive. Hirschfeld glances
over at me and nods that he has to_
wind down the interview. My time
with a legend has flown by.
Al Hirschfeld has recorded the-
atrical history since the 1920s, cap-
turing everyone from Charlie Chap-
lin, Al Jolson and Louis Armstrong
to the latest stars making their
debuts on Broadway. Clearly, he cap-
tures the theater in a way no one else
ever has, and he doesn't plan to stop
drawing anytime soon. In fact, he
says, he plans on translating what he
sees on stage well into the next mil-
lennium. 0
Al Hirschfeld and his 70 years of
theater drawings will be honored
at the following exhibits this
spring and summer:
• The Library of Congress:
"Monstrous Craws and Character
Flaws: Masterpieces of Cartoon
and Caricature," at the Swann
Gallery showing now through July
6. Admission is free. Call (202)
707-2905
* National Portrait Gallery
"Celebrity Caricature in
America," showing now through
August 23. Admission is free.
(Hirschfeld has 6 pieces out of
230 in the exhibition.) Call (202)
357-2866.
• Harvard University Harvard
Theater Collection, "Al
Hirschfeld, A 95th Birthday
Tribute," open to the public April
29 through Sept. 17. Admission is
free, Call (617) 495 2445.
-
In addition, The Line King--
The Al Hirschfeld Story, a 1996
film by Susan Dryfoos that was
nominated for an Academy Award
for Best Documentary Feature,
has recently been released on
video.
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• Threatens the lives of
millions of women,
children and men
every day
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS PLUS
4/24
1998
101