Win a free copy of the book Tradition by Barbara Eisenberg, subtitled The Highly Improbable, Ultimately Triumphant Broadway-to-Hollywood Story of Fiddler on the Roof, the World’s Most Beloved Musical.
Published for the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof’s opening night on Broadway, Tradition! weaves together behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes about the Fiddler film and musical, thoughts on its cultural importance and tales of its resonance. Theater journalist Barbara Isenberg interviewed the men and women who created the original production, the film and significant revivals to produce what Library Journal calls “an obligatory purchase for every musical theater collection.”
To enter the contest, please answer one of the following questions:
What is your favorite book about the theater, and why?
or
What was your favorite moment of performing in or watching Fiddler on the Roof – and why?
1. Please put your answer in the comments at the bottom of this blog post, because the winner will be chosen through Random.org based on the order of your reply, not its content.
But you must answer the question, complete with explanation, or your entry will not be approved for submission.
2. Please include in your answer your Twitter name and follow my Twitter feed at @NewYorkTheater so that I can send you a direct message. (If you don’t have a Twitter name, create one. It’s free.)
3. This contest ends Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014 at midnight Eastern Time, and I will make the drawing no later than noon the next day. You must respond to my direct message on Twitter within 24 hours or I will choose another winner.
(4. All submissions have to be approved, so you won’t necessarily see your entry right away: Please be patient, and don’t submit more than once.)
My most significant “Fiddler on the Roof” moment came two summers ago when I was sitting in the audience at the Barrington Stage Company in Massachusetts as their production of “Fiddler” was starting. I had not seen a production of the show for at least 25 years (I had skipped the Alfred Molina/Harvey Fierstein revival) and as the music washed over me, I realized how many great songs were in this show–songs that in some ways I had taken for granted–and that this show indeed was one of the great treasures of the American musical stage. I felt this same way again this summer as I watched the Goodspeed production of “Fiddler” and I hope I have the similar goose-bumpy type of experience at future productions. @Queerbec
My fave theatre book would probably be Ken Mandelbaum’s ‘Not Since Carrie’, because Broadway flops are always fascinating affairs with so many juicy stories involved!! 🙂
@ladystardust25
THE SEASON: A CANDID LOOK AT BROADWAY by William Goldman, because despite all its dishiness and ostensible pessimism, it is so vigorous, passionate, insightful and hopeful that it’s one of the primary triggers that sent me hurtling into my own career in the theatre.
Ghost Light by Frank Rich, because it passionately describes how a love for musical theater is born out of both a need to escape into something beautiful and a desire to relate to characters in a range of emotional states. Personal and lovely. @katieanyc
“The Abominable Showman” because we can all learn how to be a creative genius/monster from the actions of David Merrick! @blackoutpete
My favorite book about theatre is, by far, Act One by Moss Hart. I picked up the book after I saw the show at Lincoln Center, and I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about Moss, or the show really, before I went in. I left the theatre feeling inspired and rejuvenated with my love for theatre. I read the book in two days and felt even stronger feelings upon finishing it. It’s incredible hope vivid his stories are, especially from his childhood. And the book often feels like a novel, not a memoir, because the dialogue is so rich. Easily one of my favorite books about theatre for sure.
My favorite book has GOT to be “The Empty Space” by Peter Brook. This book showed me more of what theatre can, could, and should be than any class I ever took in college. He takes theories and movements that I was familiar with and turned them into something I had never imagined, allowing me to grow as a director and artist.
My favorite part is when singing If I Were A Rich Man, it’s acknowledged in the song that all the money in the world won’t change a thing @Lavesq.
I’ve done over 1,200 hundred performances of Fiddler playing various roles, all over the country on tour and regionally. My favorite part of the show is Tradition. It doesn’t matter who I’m playing, Tradition is always thrilling. Entering the stage as a community of actors, villagers, Jews, Anatevkans, etc., to introduce these beautiful characters and to tell this incredible story, with the remarkable choreography created by Jerome Robbins is utter perfection. I feel very blessed to have been a part of this story being told so many times.
I really loved “Original Story” by Arthur Laurents because it was incredibly honest about himself and the theatre folks he worked with over the years. Laurents was able to create a richly detailed tapestry of a story while not glossing over the moments that were challenging.
My favorite part of “Fiddler” is “Sunrise, Sunset.” I was young when I first saw the show and then that song became too much, since it was in every wedding and Bar/Bat mitzvah for years.
Now as a parent, watching that song being performed always brings tears to my eyes.
I have seen Fiddler many times both on Broadway and off. My favorite was with my 9 year old daughter with Alfred Molina and how transforming it was for her. The laughter and sadness and hopefulness was displayed on her face, she was singing the songs for months afterwards.