Theater Talk: A Cultural History of Fiddler on the Roof

"A Cultural History of Fiddler on The Roof." This month marks the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on The Roof. To celebrate the classic musical, we welcome critic/dramaturg Alisa Solomon (of Columbia University’s Journalism School) to discuss her new book Wonder of Wonders: A Cultural History of Fiddler on the Roof. In it, she traces how the story of Tevye, the dairyman, the beloved character created by Yiddish writer Sholem Aleichem, was transformed into a blockbuster musical, which achieved astonishing popularity, not only for Jews, but for audiences around the world.
Taped: 06-09-14
Theater Talk is a series devoted to the world of the stage. It began on New York television in 1993 and is co-hosted by Michael Riedel (Broadway columnist for the New York Post) and series producer Susan Haskins.
The program is one of the few independent productions on PBS and now airs weekly on Thirteen/WNET in New York and WGBH in Boston. Now, CUNY TV offers New York City viewers additional opportunities to catch each week's show. (Of course, Theater Talk is no stranger to CUNY TV, since the show is taped here each week before its first airing on Thirteen/WNET.)
The series is produced by Theater Talk Productions, a not-for-profit corporation and is funded by contributions from private foundations and individuals, as well as The New York State Council on the Arts.
Watch more Theater Talk at www.tv.cuny.edu/show/theatertalk

[@jeffreykare]

Norman Jewison didn't cast Zero Mostel in the film because he felt that the Broadway production was 'too American'.

[@susanf8461]

I loathe the movie. Its slow, lumbering and boring. Topal plays Tevye as if he needs prozac to treat his depression. Jewison, despite his name, was not Jewish. What did he know from authentic Yiddishkeit. I saw Hershel Bernardi when I was a kid in Fiddler and he was terrific. I saw Harvey Fierstein in the most recent revival dubbed Episcopalian on the Roof while Alfred Molina was in it. Harvey was excellent as Tevye. The revival next year is supposed to have Danny Burstin in it. I hope so. He is an excellent performer. I have seen him many times, the last time in a revival of Follies. I love theater talk, Michael Reidel and wish it was one hour and not just a half hour. Love the bitch fest review shows of the pre season and pre Tony award with Michel Musto and Jesse Green. This episode in particular is interesting as the guest is brilliant and erudite.