The day Zero Mostel passed away, September 8, 1977...

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 11:01am

...his role of Tevye the Dairyman was being performed by opera star Giorgio Tozzi at Milwaukee's Melody Top Theatre. I just published a new page on my "Memories of Melody Top" website about that production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, including two audio clips: "If I Were a Rich Man" and Tozzi's "curtain call" speech to the audience during which he announced the news of Mostel's unexpected passing. This production is notable because it cut "Tevye's Dream," possibly to comply with union rules about the length of a summer stock production, and because one of the ensemble players was Cris Groenendaal. Mr. Groenendaal took on the role of Moishe the Cobbler and there are two color images of him in full costume on the page. Click on the link below to see more:

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Melody Top Theatre

 

[daredevil]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 12:14pm

Mostel was in Philidelphia when he had a heart attack, He was performing in a play by British playwright Arnold Wesker called, The Merchant, a re-telling of The Merchant of Venice. It was a pre-Broadway tryout, the play did come to Broadway with Joseph Leon playing the title role, but ran only a short time. A very sad day. 

[rosheider]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 1:21pm

It's rare to find someone so universally loved and respected as Zero Mostel.  

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 3:55pm

Thank you for posting this! Loved seeing the photos of Cris Groenendaal! He was so nice to me when he was performing in Sweeney Todd on Broadway, and he even wrote to me afterwards. I was just a teen at the time, but this was an experience I'll never forget.

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 8/11/19 at 5:29pm

Thanks, everyone on this board, for visiting my page! I agree that Tozzi's tribute to Mostel was (and still is) very touching. I especially like how Tozzi admitted to knowing Mostel had problems in his life but that those problems didn't prevent him from finding joy. And by the way, Cris Groenendaal -- whose name I have become good at spelling and typing -- did a couple of seasons of summer stock at Melody Top. The same summer as FIDDLER -- 1977 -- he played an excellent Tin Man in THE WIZARD OF OZ. I have tried reaching Cris several times, but so far he has remained elusive to me. If anyone here knows how to get in touch with him, I would appreciate knowing. Again, I so appreciate your great comments about my site. I have passed many of your comments to people who worked on FIDDLER for those three weeks back in the summer of 1977. They love knowing that they and their work are remembered and appreciated.

[markypoo]

Posted: 8/11/19 at 7:45pm

At the Melody Top that season, although I didn't see Fiddler, we did make the drive from Chicago to see How To Succeed, The Merry Widow, Follies (with a resplendent Dorothy Collins), and the afore mentioned Wizard of Oz.
Those Were The Days.