Thank you! I was thrilled to see Topol in the West End and remember the delight of the mostly Jewish audience, who laughed at different times to us ...
I was in high school in NJ at the time and our English teacher found an excuse and reason to request a field trip to NYC, to Broadway, and that's where I saw Topol in Fiddler. I recall seeing the marquee and being disappointed that it wasn't Mostel, ever-popular and famous as Tevye....but shortly into the production I forgot all about Mostel. I remember thinking, at the time, "You'll recall this when you're an old lady."
Topol starred in the West End production of 'Fiddler', and was a huge success. I was lucky enough to see him in that production (I was 12), and, while I never had the chance to see Zero Mostel, I can't imagine that he'd have been better than Topol was.
I don't think Mostel was better, from the clips I have seen and heard. But he was the first one to play the part and audiences loved him. You are so fortunate to have seen Topol in person. And in that production.
As far as I could see, every Jewish man, woman and child in England was in the theatre! (My family was Jewish.) It was a wonderful show, and remains my favourite musical to this day, sixty years later.
Thank you! I was thrilled to see Topol in the West End and remember the delight of the mostly Jewish audience, who laughed at different times to us ...
I was in high school in NJ at the time and our English teacher found an excuse and reason to request a field trip to NYC, to Broadway, and that's where I saw Topol in Fiddler. I recall seeing the marquee and being disappointed that it wasn't Mostel, ever-popular and famous as Tevye....but shortly into the production I forgot all about Mostel. I remember thinking, at the time, "You'll recall this when you're an old lady."
And it has come to pass...
A stunner! Yes, this performance is the one you HAD to pick. What a song! And WHAT a singer. With random barnyard back-ups.🥰
Topol starred in the West End production of 'Fiddler', and was a huge success. I was lucky enough to see him in that production (I was 12), and, while I never had the chance to see Zero Mostel, I can't imagine that he'd have been better than Topol was.
I don't think Mostel was better, from the clips I have seen and heard. But he was the first one to play the part and audiences loved him. You are so fortunate to have seen Topol in person. And in that production.
As far as I could see, every Jewish man, woman and child in England was in the theatre! (My family was Jewish.) It was a wonderful show, and remains my favourite musical to this day, sixty years later.
Wow, Sue, what a memory! I am envious. I've loved this musical since I first saw the film. The music and the story are timeless. It touches the soul.
It really does.