Tevye's Daughters: No Laughing Matter - by Jan Lisa Huttner
The Crawley sisters of Downton Abbey? The Bennet sisters of Pride & Prejudice? The daughters born to Zelophehad? Why mention any of these women in the same breath as the beloved characters in the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof? Conventional wisdom has it that Fiddler on the Roof is about Tevye, a beleaguered patriarch persecuted by his neighbors and “desperately clinging to Tradition.” But in this surprising eBook, Jan Lisa Huttner turns the reader’s focus away from Tevye and onto his daughters. What is tradition? Who makes the matches? Should people who want to marry each other be allowed to make that choice? These questions are just as important now as they were fifty years ago—in 1964—when Fiddler on the Roof made its original debut on the Broadway stage. Other recent books have discussed the stories of Sholem Aleichem and the canvases of Marc Chagall, the two undisputed sources of Fiddler on the Roof. But for Huttner, the creators of Fiddler on the Roof were also participants in a Great Conversation about women’s rights conducted over a span of two thousand years from the original compilation of the Hebrew Bible right up to the present day. Huttner examines the “synergies” that made Fiddler on the Roof such a phenomenal—and unexpected—success back in 1964. These synergies not only help account for Fiddler on the Roof’s extraordinary longevity, but also explain why stage performances of Fiddler on the Roof continue to be so resonant today. Huttner writes in a lively style but her intent is deeply serious. When we skip over, trivialize, or otherwise ignore the female characters in Fiddler on the Roof, we not only denigrate half of the world’s population, we also fail to appreciate the full power of a great work of art.
South Street Seaport Museum's monthly book club will continue in February. Seaport Museum staff and special guests will stir up lively discussions informed by our shared love of literature, history, and preservation.
Red Lyric Productions will release the original Off-Broadway/NY Fringe Cast Album of Urban Momfare. The musical had a run at the 2014 New York International Fringe Festival, where it received a Best Musical Award.
Precious Days Records has released the debut recording of Gretchen Cryer and Gracie Hyland’s new musical HOUSE ON FIRE in streaming and digital formats. Learn more about the album and the upcoming concert presentation.
The world premiere recording of Lisa Bielawa’s song cycle Centuries in the Hours will be released on a new album from mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm titled Watching glass, I hear you.
Gretchen Cryer recently wrote a new musical with her granddaughter, Gracie Hyland, titled House on Fire. We have your exclusive first listen to a song from the show. Listen to “Early Teenage Crisis” here!
Broadway-lovers know that the legendary Palace Theatre has gone through quite a transformation over the last several years. What happened at the Palace before now? Watch in this video as Lane chats with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge about the venue's incredible history
After a sold out run at the 2024 Twin Cities Horror Festival, the script for the camp horror comedy Let's Summon a Demon at Debbie's written by Brandon Monokian has been published by 1319 Press. Learn more!
The new album Reefer Madness: New Los Angeles Cast Recording, featuring the full cast from its critically acclaimed 25th Anniversary Los Angeles revival, is available on CD today. Learn more.
Rachel Potter, known for her roles on Broadway as well as her appearance on The X Factor, has revealed the full list of featured artists for her upcoming album, Stages.
An event featuring OVER THE SHOULDER: A Freelancer's Guide to Telling Stories and Editing Films by Mark Solomon, will be presented at The Drama Bookshop. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
The Drama Book Shop in association with Jay Michaels Global Communications will present 'How To Sing Without Thinking' with Gabriel Weiner, a talkback, signing, and live podcast recording. Learn more!
Ari Axelrod's A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway – is available on CD and digital formats now. Learn more about the album and about Axelrod's upcoming performances.
The Drama Book Shop will present, in association with Jay Michaels Global Communications, 'JJ's Audition Adventure' - A talkback, signing, and live podcast recording with Javier Vazquez Jr and Denise Santos. Learn how to attend.
Valev Laube, the celebrated Estonian-American musician, composer, and multimedia producer, has finally released his highly anticipated debut album, Liminal. Now available across all major streaming platforms.
Schmigadoon! creator Cinco Paul has announced that he has co-written a new alphabet book based on the musical series. Written alongside Ray Kampf (who also created the illustrations), the book is described as 'a sophisticated whimsical and colorful alphabet book.'
Grammy Award winning Broadway, West End and opera artist Zachary James is set to drop a live album, recorded at the legendary Crazy Coqs in London, on New Year’s Eve 2024. Learn more!
Fans can prepare for the official Wicked digital and Blu-ray release with the extensive special feature listing which includes documentaries, deleted scenes, commentaries, and more. Take a look at the full list below!
Hadestown: Live from London – the original London cast album for Tony and Grammy Award-winning “Best Musical” Hadestown – has been released as a limited-edition deluxe gatefold “pop-up” vinyl. Learn more!
A delightful, rhythmic adventure is tapping its way into the hearts of little readers everywhere with the release of Tippy Toes and Tappy Heels by Amanda Pietsch. Learn more about the book!
BroadwayWorld is excited to debut the exclusive track 'Mama Ma' from the world premiere recording of the National Theatre production of Phaedra. Listen to it now.
A Kickstarter campaign has launched to raise money for the upcoming star-studded concept album of the new musical, The Fitzgeralds of St. Paul. Learn more about the album and see how to contribute!
Lending her voice to the audiobook is none other than Stephanie J. Block, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Cher in The Cher Show. BroadwayWorld is very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book- Chapter 2, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Listen here!
On Friday, February 28, 2025, New York-based German composer Reiko Füting will release his fifth portrait album, distantViolinSound, on New Focus Recordings.
The York Theatre Company will release an original cast recording for its World Premiere production of Welcome to the Big Dipper, a new musical comedy based on a true event. Learn more!
The Ucky Mucky Duck by Kayla Michiels, illustrated by Leesa Link, is now available to entertain and enchant children with a playful story of curiosity, mischief, and learning to listen.
Spirit of Wagner Award recipient Georgia Shreve has unveiled her holiday album, Spirit of Christmas. Featuring original compositions, timeless classics, and an all-star cast of performers, this collection promises to become an enduring part of the holiday music tradition.
Prepare to embark on a journey that spans galaxies and centuries in The Haunted Trail, the latest novel by John Lukegord. Learn more about the book here!
Milan Records has released QUEER (ORIGINAL SCORE) featuring music by two-time Academy Award® winners TRENT REZNOR and ATTICUS ROSS for director Luca Guadagnino’s new film. Listen to it now.
The full Chris, Mrs. - A New Holiday Musical studio album has been released. Featuring 16 original songs from Canadian husband-and-wife creative team Matthew Stodolak and Katie Kerr, Chris, Mrs. marries traditional holiday themes with a contemporary musical theatre sound. Listen to it here!