Your favorite Tevye

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Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 4:02pm

Inspired by the "Your favorite Mamma Rose thread...

Who is your all-time favorite Tevye from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF?

For me, Tevye begins and end with Zero Mostel. His performance on the CD and from videotapes I've seen of him were of the definitive Tevye

Close runner-ups for me woud be Topol and Herschel Bernardi (I've seen a tape of him performing the role, but listen to the original 1968 cast recording of ZORBA to get an idea of how he was as Tevye).

Only saw Alfred Molina during the Tonys, and I haven't seen Harvey Fierstein (Though I'm curious to hear his rendition of "Do You Love Me?"), so I can't judge them.

Praying Decca Broadway will put "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" on CD!

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 4:16pm

I only saw one live, Alfred Molina, and Topol in the movie version. I loved Alfred in the role!! He is such a nice guy too.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 4:25pm

Alfred Molina!!! Harvey no way, that voice for 3 hours(jumps out the window)

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 5:00pm

I think it's unfair to judge a actor's performcas solely on recordings and video clips.

I've seen quite a few men play Tevye live:

Zero Mostel (is there such a thing as Kosher "ham"?)

Jan Peerce

Hary Goz

Jerry Jarrett

Herschel Bernardi

Alfred Molina

I'd have to say that Bernardi was the best. He was warm and human. Mostel (and I saw him play the part twice) was so full of himself and downright rude to other actors that he was disgraceful.

Molina was just miscast.

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 5:27pm

I agree with dollypop. Bernardi for me was the warmest and most authentic. To me he brought Sholom Aleichems character to life. Mostel I saw at a very young age and from the litle bit I remember he kept breaking character and talking about things to the audience. ( i know it is a very vague memory but that is all i have to go by. ) I loved harvey and think he is wonderful in the role. Alfred molina was totally miscast.

HUSSY POWER! ------ HUSSY POWER!

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 6:48pm

Your recollection of Mostel is accurate, Dame. I have a vivid memory of him throwing milk round the stage during "Rich Man" and mimicking the actor who was playing Motel (from behind Motel's back). It's no wonder he was brough out of his contract and Luther Adler was rushed in to replace him.

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 7:00pm

Not really a fair question for me, as I have only seen Alfred Molina live and Topol in the video.

And I would have to say, out of those two, Molina. I thought he was just brilliant.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 7:24pm

Alfred Molina was simply brilliant in the role of Tevya, and the current revival is among the finest of shows I've seen on Broadway.

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:26pm

On stage, Alfred Molina. He brought me to tears.

Movie, Topol. He got such a beautiful voice.

#10

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:28pm

I say, Marc Shaiman!

"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

#11

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 10:12pm

I say Topol.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by moments that take our breath away." "Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."

#12

re: Your favorite Tevye

Posted: 7/17/05 at 10:17pm

Anyone but Harvey. I wish I'd seen this show (a classic that I wasn't at all familiar with) with someone else in the lead role because now I cannot face the memories of the show by listening to the CD. I have seen bits and pieces of the movie, and I quite liked that Tevye, so I'd vote Topol.

"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."

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