Joseph Stein

Date of Death: October 24, 2010 (98)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Joseph Stein BIO

Joseph Stein was a prolific American playwright and librettist, best known for his work on the beloved musicals Fiddler on the Roof and Zorba. Born on May 30, 1912, in New York City, Stein grew up in the Bronx and attended City College of New York. After graduating, he worked as a social worker and then as a writer for the Army Air Force during World War II.

Stein began his career in theater as a writer for radio and television in the 1940s and 1950s, but it was his work on Broadway that earned him the most acclaim. His first Broadway credit was as a co-writer on the musical Plain and Fancy in 1955, but it was his collaboration with composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick on Fiddler on the Roof that established him as a major force in the theater world.

Fiddler on the Roof, which opened on Broadway in 1964, tells the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman in early 20th-century Russia, and his struggles to maintain his traditions in the face of changing times. The show was a critical and commercial success, running for over 3,000 performances and winning nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Stein's book for the show, which was based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem, is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of musical theater.

Stein went on to collaborate with Bock and Harnick on several more musicals, including The Apple Tree and She Loves Me. He also wrote the book for Zorba, a musical adaptation of the novel Zorba the Greek, which opened on Broadway in 1968 and starred Anthony Quinn. Although Zorba was not as successful as Fiddler, it received positive reviews and has since become a cult favorite among musical theater enthusiasts.

In addition to his work on Broadway, Stein wrote for television and film. He wrote the screenplay for the 1971 film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof, which was directed by Norman Jewison and starred Topol as Tevye. He also wrote for the television series Mister Peepers and The Phil Silvers Show.

Stein continued to work in the theater throughout his life, writing plays and musicals up until his death in 2010 at the age of 98. His other notable works include Enter Laughing, a play based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Carl Reiner, and Rags, a musical about Jewish immigrants on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

Stein was known for his wit and his ability to capture the human experience in his writing. In a 2001 interview with The New York Times, he said, "I think the theater is a way of expressing what's going on in the world and what's going on in people's hearts. It's a way of communicating on a very deep level, and that's what I've always tried to do with my work."

Stein's contributions to the world of musical theater have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994, and in 2008, the Tony Awards honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. His legacy lives on through his timeless works, which continue to be performed and beloved by audiences around the world.

Joseph Stein Photos

Joseph Stein Productions

 
[Broadway, 2015]
Book
 
[West End, 1976]
Book Revisions
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Book Revisions
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Producer

Writing

Bookwriter
Playwright
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Sketches
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Source Material
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Joseph Stein Movies

[1962]Mrs. Gibbons' Boys writer

[1967]Enter Laughing producer

[1971]Fiddler on the Roof writer

Joseph Stein Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Musical

Joseph Stein, Fiddler on the Roof

Joseph Stein Videos

Joseph Stein News


FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, NOISES OFF & More Set for Palo Alto Players 2024-25 Season

Palo Alto Players has revealed its 94th season titled SCRUMDIDDLYUMPTIONS THEATRE! See full programing and learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Desert Theatricals

Desert Theatricals 'Fiddler' stands tall and breathes LIFE into old TRADITIONS.

John Tartaglia, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Jared Grimes & More Join The Muny's 106th Season

The Muny has revealed the teams of directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2024 season. Learn about the shows this season and see how to purchase tickets!

Review: ANATEVKA at Grand Théâtre

Last week, we had the pleasure of attending Joseph Stein’s timeless classic Fiddler on the Roof, courtesy of our esteemed Grand Théâtre

Christopher Durang to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 Dramatists Guild Awards

Playwright Christopher Durang is the recipient of The Dramatists Guild's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more about Durang and about the award!

Cast Set For BEAR SNORES ON at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has announced the full cast for the world premiere stage adaptation of Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman’s Bear Snores On, with book by Cush Jumbo and Katy Sechiari, and music & lyrics by Harry Blake.

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Ritz Theatre Company is Something to Think About and Something to Drink About

The world surrounding the small shtetl of Anatevka is changing. Conflict draws near, and Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman, must navigate this changing terrain, raising five daughters and, ultimately, his faith in this unforgettable, classic musical. The original Broadway production, directed by Jerome Robbins and starring Zero Mostel, won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. 

Photos/Video: First Look At FIDDLER ON THE ROOF At Drury Lane Theatre

Drury Lane Theatre has released first look photos and video of its final show of the 2023/2024 season, the beloved Fiddler on the Roof.

Review: Hale Centre Theatre's FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is Artfully, Attentively Staged

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF on Hale Centre Theatre’s Centre Stage in Sandy resists the urge to simply replicate what has been done before, yet still celebrates what is so beloved about the piece. The artful presentation feels intimate and emotionally resonant, which is unexpected for such a large-scale production.

Spotlight: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at The Gateway in Bellport

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF At The Gateway in Bellport!

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and TWELFTH NIGHT Set for Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's Summer Season

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has announced its 2024 summer season, opening with Twelfth Night (or What You Will) (3 May – 8 June 2024). Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identities is directed by Owen Horsley set against the heat of the Mediterranean sun.

Cast Set for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Drury Lane Theatre

Drury Lane Theatre has revealed the cast of Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Elizabeth Margolius. See photos below!

Video: Get a First Look at FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Paper Mill Playhouse

Get a first look at footage of Fiddler on the Roof at Paper Mill Playhouse!

VIDEO: Director Mark S. Hoebee Talks FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Paper Mill Playhouse

Watch Paper Mill's Associate Artistic Director, Jen Bender, interview Producing Artistic Director and the director of Fiddler on the Roof, Mark S. Hoebee here!

Video: Paper Mill Playhouse Discusses FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Watch as Paper Mill Prologues gives their audience extra insight and context for their production of Fiddler on the Roof!

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Paper Mill Playhouse-See this Excellent Musical Theatre Gem

An exceptional production of Fiddler on the Roof is being performed at Paper Mill Playhouse through January 7, 2024.

Interview: Real-Life Married Couple Alexandra Socha & Etai Benson Share the Stage in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

BroadwayWorld interviews Alexandra Socha and Etai Benson about taking on the roles of Motel and Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof at Paper Mill Playhouse. Explore their real-life relationship and the joys of working together on stage.

Photos: First Look at Jordan Gelber, Jill Abramovitz, Alexandra Socha, Etai Benson, and More in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Paper Mill Playhouse

Check out photos of Jordan Gelber, Alexandra Socha, Etai Benson, and more in Fiddler on the Roof at Paper Mill Playhouse!

Photos: First look at Gallery Players' FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler on the Roof‘s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness. Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl. Performances run Dec. 2 - 17, 2023, at Gallery Players, 1125 College Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43209. Please visit https://columbusjcc.org/fiddler/ to get specific showtimes and purchase tickets.

Tickets on Sale Now for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Drury Lane Theatre

Tickets are now on sale for Drury Lane Theatre's production of Fiddler on the Roof. Don't miss this acclaimed and beloved musical masterpiece featuring music by Jerry Bock, book by Joseph Stein, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.

Joseph Stein FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Joseph Stein has written 24 shows including Irene (Bookwriter), Lend an Ear (Sketches), Mrs. Gibbons' Boys (Playwright), Alive and Kicking (Bookwriter), Plain and Fancy (Bookwriter), Mr. Wonderful (Bookwriter), Jamaica (Bookwriter), The Body Beautiful (Bookwriter), Juno (Bookwriter), Take Me Along (Bookwriter), Enter Laughing (Playwright), Fiddler on the Roof (Bookwriter), Zorba (Bookwriter), So Long, 174th Street (Source Material), The Baker's Wife (Bookwriter), Hellzapoppin (Bookwriter), King of Hearts (Bookwriter), Carmelina (Bookwriter), Rags (Bookwriter), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Bookwriter), Rags:Children of the Wind (Bookwriter), Over and Over (Bookwriter), Take Me Along (Bookwriter), Enter Laughing: The Musical (Bookwriter).

Joseph Stein has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for the musical "Rags." He was also nominated for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and the Tony Awards for the beloved musical "Fiddler on the Roof."

Joseph Stein has won several awards for his work in the Broadway musical "Fiddler on the Roof." He received the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and the Tony Awards for his contribution to the show.

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