Stein and Harnick's 'Jews of New York' Premieres Jan.20 on WLW21

Legendary Broadway writers Joseph Stein and Sheldon Harnick are featured in WLIW's new production The Jews of New York - a new documentary premiering this Sunday, January 20 at 8 pm  on WLIW21.  

In the film, they speak about their work on the legendary musical "Fiddler on the Roof," and the impact of the Jewish community on the mainstream New York institution of Broadway.  During the heyday of the Broadway musical, Stein and Harnick's colleagues were primarily Jewish – Rogers and Hammerstein, Kander and Ebb, Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg – but no musical had specifically addressed Jewish culture in its content. Based on a Shalom Aleichem story, "Fiddler"'s overtly Jewish themes were considered a risk to support even by the primarily Jewish producers and investors the writers approached, and the duo talks about their decision to persevere.  

To watch a video preview, visit: www.wliw.org/21video

Narrated by actor/singer/playwright Tovah Feldshuh ("Golda's Balcony"), The Jews of New York also features former Mayor of New York City Ed Koch; three generations of the Russ Family of Russ & Daughters Appetizers on the Lower East Side; Dr. Arthur Aufses, a second-generation surgeon who served as Mount Sinai Hospital's Chief of Surgery for 21 years and still works at the hospital today; the legacy of eminent philanthropist and investment banker Jacob Schiff, a German Jew; and Rabbi Haskel Besser, leader of B'nai Israel Ch'aim on the Upper West Side and real estate manager.

Encore presentations will air Tuesday, January 22 at 8 pm on WLIW21 and Thursday, January 24 at 9 pm on Thirteen/WNET. The program will also be distributed to the seven public television stations serving upstate New York, and will stream in its entirety beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, January 16 at www.jewsofnewyork.org. 

Photo of Joseph Stein by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd