Molina was good, but not great. Jackman (and I don't just say this because I have a massive crush on the man) gave the most charismatic performance I've ever seen on a stage. Tevye is such a well-written part, it should be a force of nature. Peter Allen is a poorly written part that Jackman transformed into a tour de force through sheer force of talent. He deserved that Tony, and the only person who came close to him for me was John Tartaglia.
I thought all the nominees this year were amazing in their own way but nothing that stood out. I do agree with you on Hugh - because that show was so bad - but it didn't do it for me. I would have loved to see Euan Morton win.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."-Charlie Manson
Do you atleast have the soundtrack? I saw the show 15 times, and have never loved something that much. And you can find some amazing videos of the show- I know I have.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."-Charlie Manson
Let me just add my own personal feelings of horror. In a world where producers would be stupid enough to cast Harvey Fierstein as Tevye in the Broadway production of "Fiddler on the Roof," how can there be hope for the rest of us?
Timmer: It just goes to show you that you can't believe everything you hear. I saw Mandy in concert recently and he is in fine form. His voice is still wonderful. Not a problem. As for someone's comment about him prettying up the score, he will change songs to fit his own style in concert but within the context of a show he does the score the way the score should be done, so I don't think there will be any playing around with it. His voice is significantly different than Molina's so if they DO cast Patinkin, he will of course be singing it with HIS voice...
Folks, whatever your opinions may be about Harvey, I can tell you that the creative team behind the show is NOT going to let ANYONE come in and destroy "the spirit" or "the meaning" of the show. If indeed Harvey does take the role, they will work to find "His Tevye" and still maintain the integrity of the show.
"High time we made a stand and shook up the views of the common man" - Tears for Fears
At first I did a major doubletake...but while the singing would be interesting, I think they are on the right traack with recasting. Harvey is capable of bringin incredible warmth to his roles and the shows in general, and this Fiddler production DESPERATELY needed that warmth, when I saw it earlier this year.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Rob Bartlett as Tevye! He's commanding, got a big voice and as proven in LSOH can be VERY Jewish!
Rosencrantz: "Be happy - if you're not even HAPPY what's so good about surviving? We'll be all right. I suppose we just go on."
- from Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
wow- theres more negative reaction to this than there was about my joke post on stamos replacing him...who'da thunk it
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
I think it'll be good. I've been percolating on it for awhile, and I think it'll force the creative team to make some interesting decisions that will bring a new taste to the show.
I don't have any fear that he will destroy "the spirit" of the show. If anything, it probably will add to the spirit.
Let me say that he cannot sing, but his voice was perfect for Edna. From what I've heard, he has a great personality and wonderful stage presence. However, I don't see him as Tevye.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
Harvey would at least bring the jewishness back to the role...I think Harvey would channel Zero Mostel....
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
Will Harvey Fierstein Be the Next Tevye in Broadway's Fiddler on the Roof?
By Kenneth Jones 09 Nov 2004
Harvey Fierstein
Harvey Fierstein has been in discussions with the producers of Fiddler on the Roof to possibly take over the role of Tevye in the Tony Award-nominated revival of the show, sources in the theatre community told Playbill On-Line.
A spokesman for the show said Nov. 8 that "no casting information is available at this time" and that director David Leveaux would be in town this week to make a decision about the recasting of the lead role, which Alfred Molina vacates in early January 2005, when his contract ends.
Tevye is the Russian-Jewish dairyman whose three eldest daughters are married to varied suitors. Each union challenges the long-held and cherished traditions of the community, in early-20th century rural Russia.
The role (based on a character created by Sholom Aleichem) was created in the musical in 1964 by Zero Mostel. Famous Tevyes have included Topol (who played the role on London, on Broadway and in the film), Jason Alexander (in excerpts from Fiddler within Jerome Robbins' Broadway), Herschel Bernardi, Theodore Bikel, Luther Adler, Paul Lipson, Harry Goz and others. Mostel won a Tony Award for playing the exasperated and hopeful patriarch who has a total of five daughters.
Molina was also Tony-nommed for his performance in this latest revival. Fierstein, 50, is no stranger to Tonys, having won the prize for Best Actor (Play) and Best Play for his three-act Torch Song Trilogy, for Best Book of a Musical for the libretto of La Cage aux Folles and for Best Actor (Musical) starring in the drag role of Edna Turnblad in the smash musical Hairspray.
His voice is harsh as gravel, and his association with gay roles and gay causes is strong, but Fierstein is said to want a crack at what is considered one of the greatest "traditional" roles in American musical theatre. If he steps into the shtetl, he'll sing such classics as "Sunrise, Sunset," "Tradition" and "If I Were a Rich Man."
In MCC Theatre's Miscast concert in April 2002, Fierstein and Kristin Chenoweth sang the Fiddler duet, "Do You Love Me?," with Fierstein singing the role of Golde and Chenoweth singing Tevye.
Performances of Fiddler on the Roof continue at the Minskoff Theatre.
