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Joanna Merlin

Birth Place: Chicago, IL, USA

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Joanna Merlin BIO

Merlin made her first screen appearance in Cecil B. DeMille's film The Ten Commandments in 1956. Five years later, she made her Broadway debut in Becket before playing Tzeitel in Harold Prince's production of Fiddler on the Roof. She left the cast of Fiddler on the Roof before the end of its tour to take care of her two small children, but Harold Prince gave her the opportunity to become involved in casting with a more flexible schedule. Company was the first musical for which Merlin served as the casting director. She was also in charge of casting for such plays as Follies, Evita and Sweeney Todd.

In 1986, she served as casting director for the John Carpenter film, Big Trouble in Little China.

After making appearances in several feature films, including the movie Fame, in which she played Miss Olivia Berg, a classical dance teacher; Merlin appeared in the NBC crime drama Law & Order in 1992 as a defense attorney. Like many actors from that show, she went on to play other characters in the Law & Order franchise - another defense attorney in the original show and a more recurring role as Judge Lena Petrovsky, a judge who was very stern, by-the-book, and scolded or sanctioned, at various times, ADAs Casey Novak (Diane Neal) and Alexandra Cabot (Stephanie March) and Detective (now Lieutenant) Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), in its first spin-off Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In the latter role, she appeared in every season between the years 2000 and 2011.

Merlin taught in New York University's graduate acting program at the Tisch School of the Arts and in 1999, founded the Michael Chekhov Association where she taught acting workshops.

Joanna Merlin STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1982
Liz

[Broadway]
1981
Zlatke

[Broadway]
1973
Sofya Alexandrovna (Standby)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1973
Performer

Gloria

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1964
Tzeitel

Tzeitel

Tzeitel [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1961
Gwendolen

[Broadway]
1961
Martha Bernays Freud [Replacement]

Martha Bernays Freud (older) [Replacement]

Joanna Merlin Productions

 
[Broadway, 1987]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1984]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1984]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1982]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1978]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1977]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1976]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1971]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1970]
Casting
 
[Broadway, 1964] [Replacement]
Casting[Replacement]

Joanna Merlin Movies

The Ten Commandments
[ 1956 ] Jethro's Daughter
Weddings and Babies
[ 1958 ] Josie
Hester Street
[ 1975 ] Jake's Landlady
All That Jazz
[ 1979 ] Nurse Pierce
Fame
[ 1980 ] Miss Berg
Love Child
[ 1982 ] Mrs. Sturgis
Soup for One
[ 1982 ] Allan's Mother
Baby It's You
[ 1983 ] Mrs. Rosen
The Killing Fields
[ 1984 ] Schanberg's Sister
Prince of Darkness
[ 1987 ] Bag Lady
Mystic Pizza
[ 1988 ] Mrs. Arujo
Class Action
[ 1991 ] Estelle Ward
Mr. Wonderful
[ 1993 ] Loretta
Two Bits
[ 1995 ] Guendolina
MURDER and murder
[ 1996 ] Doris
City of Angels
[ 1998 ] Teresa Messinger
The Jimmy Show
[ 2001 ] Emily
Just Another Story
[ 2003 ] Sadie
The Invasion
[ 2007 ] Joan Kaufman
The Wackness
[ 2008 ] Grandma Shapiro
Elle s'appelait Sarah
[ 2010 ] Mme Rainsferd
Active Adults
[ 2017 ] Miriam

Joanna Merlin TV Shows

Another World
Vivian Cory, Dr. Emily Cole
Law & Order
Defense Attorney Deirdre Powell
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Judge Lena Petrovsky
New York Undercover
Carmella McNamara

Joanna Merlin Videos

Joanna Merlin News


Michael Chekhov Association to Present AN EVENING WITH PHELIM MCDERMOTT Next Week


The Michael Chekhov Association (MICHA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy and technique of Michael Chekhov, has announced 'An Evening with Phelim McDermott,' a special event to benefit the Joanna Merlin Professional Artists Initiative

Joanna Merlin, Original FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Star, Dies at 92


Merlin was the original Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway. Merlin cast several Stephen Sondheim musicals, including Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, and Pacific Overtures. She also cast Evita and On the Twentieth Century. She was seen on screen in Fame and Law & Order.

Listen: James Lapine, Chip Zien and Danielle Ferland Kick Off GIANTS IN THE SKY Podcast


The Broadway Podcast Network is launching new podcast, “Giants in the Sky: How Sondheim and Lapine Went Into the Woods” hosted by Ben Rimalower, makes its series debut. Listen now!

The Michael Chekhov Association Selects Gracie Gardner As 2023 International Summer Workshop Artist-In-Residence For Annual Gathering


MICHA, The Michael Chekhov Association has announced that American playwright Gracie Gardner has been selected as the first recipient of the Theater of the Future Fellowship. 

Amanda Green, Nick Wyman, and More To Join ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY Reunion


The 45th anniversary reunion of On the Twentieth Century hosted by 15-year-old podcaster Charles Kirsch will include special messages from Amanda Green, daughter of lyricist and bookwriiter Adolph Green, production replacements Jeff Keller and Nick Wyman, understudy Melanie Vaughan and dancer Maris Clement.

Christine Ebersole, Judy Kaye, and More Will Reunite on BACKSTAGE BABBLE


On February 19 at 8 PM EST, Charles Kirsch, the 15-year-old host of the hit theater podcast Backstage Babble, will present a reunion of the 1978 Broadway sensation On the Twentieth Century in honor of the 45th anniversary of its opening night.

Broadway Community Reacts to Stephen Sondheim's Passing


In the wake of Stephen Sondheim's passing, there has been an outpouring of grief from the Broadway community and beyond. Read them all here.

LaChanze and Jennifer Damiano Join Tonight's I'M STILL HERE Benefit; Online Auction and Additional Archival Footage Announced!


Learn more about all of the additional archival footage added to the event, including Ariana Grande (at age 15 making her Broadway debut) and Brynn Williams in 13; Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit, Philip Seymour Hoffman in Death of a Salesman, Brian Stokes Mitchell in Ragtime, Sutton Foster in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and more!

Jason Robert Brown, Savion Glover, Priscilla López & More Join NYPL's I'M STLL HERE Benefit


The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts announced today that Jason Robert Brown, Savion Glover, Priscilla López, Susan Stroman, Marisha Wallace, and Christopher Wheeldon have joined the growing list of Broadway stars participating in I'm Still Here: A Virtual Benefit for the Billy Rose Theatre Division, airing June 23, 2021 on Broadway On Demand at 8pm EST and 8pm PST. The fundraiser will help raise critical funds for the Library for the Performing Arts' beloved Theatre Division as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

NYPL Billy Rose Theatre Division Will Celebrate 90 Years with I'M STILL HERE Virtual Benefit


I'm Still Here, a new virtual benefit for The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts' Billy Rose Theatre Division, will stream on Broadway On Demand on June 23. The evening is a celebration of the division's 90th Anniversary, and the 50th  Anniversary of its beloved Theatre on Film and Tape Archive and will honor Harold Prince and George C. Wolfe. 

Original Broadway Cast And Crew of FOLLIES To Reunite This Weekend


Follies at 50: A Conversation with the Cast and Crew of the Original Broadway Production is a one-time event, featuring a panel of people involved in the creation of one of the most groundbreaking musicals of all time, Follies.

Jennifer Ashley Tepper's THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 4 to be Released in March


Dress Circle Publishing has announced the release of THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 4, the latest in a series by historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper. The book will be available on Tuesday, March 9 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the 2020-2021 Broadway shutdown.

MICHA and University of Windsor Launch Digital Version of MICHAEL CHEKHOV: THE ACTOR IS THEATRE Archives


The Michael Chekhov Association (MICHA)--the not-for-profit association dedicated to preserving the artistic vision and technique of actor/director/author Michael Chekhov-- in collaboration with the University of Windsor, today announced the launch of the digital version of Deirdre Hurst du Prey's Michael Chekhov: The Actor is the Theatre Archives.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF IN YIDDISH To Celebrate Cast Recording At Barnes & Noble


Director Joel Grey and stars from the critically-acclaimed, award-winning and groundbreaking production of a?oeFiddler on the Roof in Yiddisha?? will celebrate the success of their original cast recording at Barnes & Noble (150 East 86th Street) in New York City at 3:30pm on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. 

Alex Birnie Appointed Executive Director Of The Actors Center


The Actors Center has announced the appointment of Alex Birnie as the organization's new executive director. Birnie most recently served as the Center's managing director and enters his first full season in his new role in September 2019.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF IN YIDDISH Digital Cast Recording Out Today!


For the first time ever in its 55-year history, the musically complete cast recording of a?oeFiddler on the Roofa?? will be released, including 11 songs in English that were cut from the original Broadway production in 1964.

Incoming PTC Managing Director Chris Massimine Scores Big In NYC Theatre Award Season


Pioneer Theatre Company's incoming managing director, CHRIS MASSIMINE joins PTC effective July 1, but he arrives after bringing in major awards and citations from four prestigious awards organizations: Drama Desk, Outer Critics' Circle, Off Broadway Alliance and Drama Critics' Circle.

UC San Diego Theatre And Dance Presents SHAME SPIRAL


The UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance presents Shame Spiral, written by Ali Viterbi and directed by Natalie Griffith Robichaux, as part of the 2019 Wagner New Play Festival.

Michael Chekhov Association (MICHA) Awards 2019 Zelda Fichandler Scholarship To Tia James And Chuk Obasi


The Michael Chekhov Association (MICHA), the not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the artistic vision and technique of Michael Chekhov, celebrating its 20th year in 2019, today announced that the next recipients of the Zelda Fichandler Scholarship will be multi-faceted performers, stage and screen actress Tia James and writer/director/choreographer, Chuk Obasi.

Michael Chekov Association Announces New Appointments


Michael Chekhov Association (MICHA), the not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the artistic vision and technique of actor/director/author Michael Chekhov, today announced the appointment of Thomas Morrissey as its Managing Director. He will work alongside former Managing Director, Jessica Cerullo who now steps into the newly created role of MICHA's Artistic Director. Together, they will manage the day-to day operations of MICHA, produce the annual International Summer Workshop and Festival at Connecticut College in June, and seek out other ways to extend and preserve the legacy of Michael Chekhov and the MICHA.

Joanna Merlin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Joanna Merlin been in?

Joanna Merlin has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.

How many West End shows has Joanna Merlin been in?

Joanna Merlin has not appeared in the West End.

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