Most of the Tevyes: Zero Mostel, Herschel Bernardi, Harvey Fierstein. Also, Barbara Barrie is rumored to have the best seders in New York. Not that I've been invited. I dunno, I read that somewhere.
I think the real question is, who are the Aryan Broadway Actors.
Stand-by Joined: 4/7/04
Fact is, religion means sh*t all to most people today (hurrah!), and so if people dont want to live by their parents religion, then thats their choice.
Updated On: 10/5/05 at 02:58 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
can i start denouncing communists in this thread?
How about the Jedi Broadway Actors? We know they use their mindtrick to get jobs.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/6/04
Half-Jewish? What is that?!
Judaism is a life choice. If someone was raised in a family who practiced any given religion, okay. But what does it matter? Someone may have a name that is "typically Jewish" but that doesn't mean the are necessarily practicing. Likewise, someone may have converted over to it. It's an immensely personal decision.
Those who want to share their religious beliefs will. Those who don't, won't. I can think of many more interesting conversations we could be having.
Having said that, in the history of Broadway, judaism has been dominate trait. It has been a fairly common background for folks in the theatre.
Sorry if I came across sternly - it wasn't my intention. It's been a long night.
- Charlie
charliepiane@gmail.com
Updated On: 10/5/05 at 05:24 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/05
Kathy Lee Gifford is/was the poster child for 'Jews for Jesus'.
I didn't know that (not that I have ever bother to watch anything she is on).
Leading Actor Joined: 5/9/05
There is a great article on The Jewish Identity Project in NY Times Arts Section today. It speaks to all of these issues.
The Jewish Museum on East 93rd Street in Manhattan is currently housing this project. It looks fascinating. It asks and attempts to answer the question, "Who is a Jew?"
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
jgph, I havew no idea what universe you live in, but where I am religion still matters hugely, whether you consider that to be a retrograde consideration or not.
And yeah, people in show business will still change their names to appear less "ethnic" (which is to say, distant fromt the WASP ideal), whether it's to avoid typecasting or marginalization or just because they don't think their name sounds good. See: Bernadette Peters, Jon Stewart, etc.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
"Half-Jewish? What is that?!
Judaism is a life choice. "
This is true. But truth is, Judaism also is often treated almost like an Ethnicity and/or Race; you are "born Jewish" according to Judaism; whether or not you choose to be active is another case. Actually, to be correct, there technically is no "half-Jewish". Either your mother is Jewish or she's not, and that "makes you Jewish".
As far as this thread, as a Jew I'm not offended at all; I think every culture likes to have their little bit of pride. "Look at all of these people 'we' have on Broadway!" Doesn't every culture have that?
And Company, there's no way to misspell L'Shana(h) Tova(h). It's transliteration from another language. Hence Hannukkah Channukkah Chanukah Hanukkah Hannukah Chanuka etc etc etc... :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/05
"You won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews.."
(sorry, had to say it - the song is reeling in my head now)
Lightening things up here a bit, L'Shana Tovah to everyone...
Leading Actor Joined: 9/27/03
In addition to Ms. Gifford being born Epstein, did you know she was and still is a very close friend of the notorious homophobe and extremist anti-gay activist Anita Bryant? Kathie Lee is loyal to Bryant at the same time she befriends gay people in the theatre community (i.e. while in Sondheim's Puttin it Together). If you want to know more, do a web search, she was Kathie Lee Johnson at that time.
Updated On: 10/5/05 at 10:44 AM
Bruce Vilanch
Marc Shaiman
Bette Midler- She was in Fiddler years ago (I know this from Deconstructing with Seth)
Scott Wittman
Harvey Fierstein
Jeff Marx
I gave you some composers!
Updated On: 10/5/05 at 11:00 AM
Featured Actor Joined: 10/24/03
best i agree..i think we need to move strongly and quickly away from this phenomenon of idetifying everyone as and african american actress or gay actor or jewish actor
i find it tedious and embarassing.
Forgive me, but why does this matter?
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