Sholom Aleichem: Laughter Through Tears

Often called the Jewish Mark Twain, Sholom Aleichem wrote the stories that gave the world Tevye the Milkman and inspired the landmark Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof. The Boston Globe once declared, “Like Yul Brynner’s King of Siam, Theodore Bikel’s Tevye is one of the defining interpretations of the role.” Now, Bikel brings Tevye back to life as he portrays Yiddish literature’s most beloved author and a bevy of his colorful characters.

Portraying slices of life from Aleichem’s memorable stories, Bikel sings an enchanting trove of music from Eastern Europe played live onstage by world-renowned musical director Tamara Brooks and acclaimed accordionist Merima Kljuco.
Singing in English and Yiddish, Bikel delivers rare insight into the life and literary works of this fascinating storyteller whose last will and testament implored that he only be remembered with laughter. As both author and star of this important new musical play, Bikel touchingly fulfills that wish as he magically melds long-gone lives and times with matters that tug at heartstrings even today.