Yiddish FIDDLER ON THE ROOF's September 3rd Performance to Honor Theodore Bikel

National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF) will launch its Fall extension of the critically-acclaimed Yiddish language production of Fiddler on the Roof, playing at the Museum of Jewish Heritage (MJH) at Edmond J. Safra Plaza, 36 Battery Place, by dedicating its Monday, September 3rd 7pm performance to the memory of its longtime friend and collaborator Theodore Bikel. Presented with English and Russian supertitles, the production will run until October 25th.

A champion of the Yiddish language and Jewish culture, Bikel starred in Fiddler on the Roof over 2,200 times, holding the record for having played the role of Tevye more than any actor in the show's history. His work lives on though his wife Aimee Ginsburg Bikel who oversees the Theodore Bikel Legacy Project, a foundation that perpetuates the ideas and passions that were wellsprings of Theodore Bikel's work. Bikel's last public appearance was at NYTF's 2015 KulturfestNYC, the 1stInternational Festival of Jewish Performing Arts, where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Bikel was a firm believer in investing in the next generation as means of passing on cultural identity.

To echo Bikel's notion, subject to availability, NYTF will be allotting a limited number of $40 tickets for individuals 40 years of age or younger for Fiddler's Fall extension. Using code 40Fiddler, those tickets can be ordered over the phone, online, or at the Box Office and must be claimed by presenting a government issued photo ID*.

"Theo's connections to the role of Tevye, to the Yiddish language, and to the NYTF were very deep", says Aimee Ginsburg Bikel, "and this production, ofFiddler on the Roof in the original language of Sholom Aleichem, author of the original works on 'Tevye the Dairyman', would have moved him greatly. The last film he made, "Theodore Bikel: In the Shoes of Sholom Aleichem explored these themes. We are thrilled that the NYTF is dedicating this performance to Theo, and that this production has found such a wide and enthralled audience."

"Theo was a dear friend of the NYTF Folksbiene, and we will never forget his contributions to Yiddish music," said NYTF Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek.

The Monday, September 3rd special performance will have introductory remarks by Fiddler on the Roof's Pulitzer Prize winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who will pay tribute to Bikel, his legacy, and inaugurate the show's extension. Friends of Bikel, including music luminary Peter Yarrow and community leader Rabbi Amichai Lau Lavie, as well as Aimee Ginsburg Bikel, will attend. The evening will conclude with a post-show champagne toast where the audience can meet and mingle with the Fiddler team.

"Outside of the world of performance, Theo was a brilliant human rights advocate, proponent of celebrating heritage and diversity, and union leader," said NYTF CEO Chris Massimine, "it is fitting that on Labor Day we commemorate our extension by honoring his commitment to ushering a divided world closer together."

The Yiddish language Fiddler on the Roof is based on the Tevye the Dairyman vignettes by Sholem Aleichem and is translated by Shraga Friedman. Tony Award winning Fiddler lyricist Sheldon Harnick and producer/director Harold Prince have been consulting with NYTF on the production.

In addition to Grey, the creative team features choreography and musical staging by Stas Kmiec, music direction by NYTF Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek, casting byJamibeth Margolis, C.S.A., and an all-star design team of Tony Award winners and nominees including set design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, wig and hair design by Tom Watson, and props design by Addison Heeren.

The next installment in NYTF and MJH's Fiddler Talks series will take place this Wednesday, August 29th at 6:30pm. Entitled The Tradition of Fiddler on the Roof, this interactive panel discussion will be moderated by Fiddler's choreographer Sta? Kmie? and feature the original Broadway Fiddler's Tzeitl and Motl, Joanna Merlin and Austin Pendleton, as well as the film's Tzeitl, Rosalind Harris, and the original Broadway Fiddler's Sasha, Robert Aberdeen. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased atwww.mjhnyc.org.

The Yiddish language Fiddler on the Roof plays Off Broadway at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, Edmond J. Safra Plaza, 36 Battery Place, through October 25th. Tickets start at $75 and can be purchased by calling (866) 811-4111 or visiting www.nytf.org. *40 under 40 tickets are limited to 2 tickets per patron. Both parties must present I.D. at will-call. Subject to availability. Normal service charges apply to orders. Discount not applicable for any special events. All sales are final - no refunds or exchanges. Not valid in combination with any other offers or to any previous orders. Offer may be revoked or modified at any time without notice.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

 

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