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Tovah Feldshuh Headshot

Tovah Feldshuh

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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BIO

Feldshuh appeared on the stage under the name "Terri Fairchild" before deciding to incorporate her Hebrew name and her original surname as her professional name, Tovah Feldshuh. She said of her name changes: "I fell in love with a Christian boy, Michael Fairchild, who didn't want to kiss a Terri Sue. He said: 'Terri Sue doesn't fit you at all. What's that other name of yours? Tovah? Now that's a name!" In 1994, she joked that she could have changed her name to "Goody Two-shoes", since tovah is Hebrew for "good", while Feldshuh translates from German as "field shoe".



She made her Broadway debut in the short-lived 1973 musical Cyrano starring Christopher Plummer. She appeared in the titular role in Yentl both off-Broadway at the Chelsea Theater Center and later on Broadway. Both productions are detailed in the book, Chelsea on the Edge: The Adventures of an American Theater, which describes tensions between Feldshuh and director Robert Kalfin over the play's interpretation.

Her other Broadway credits include Saravá, Lend Me a Tenor, and Golda's Balcony - William Gibson's work about the late Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. Golda's Balcony set a record as the longest-running one-woman play in Broadway history on January 2, 2005.

Feldshuh made her cabaret debut at the Algonquin Hotel Oak Room with her act, Tovah: Crossovah! From Broadway to Cabaret, which was followed by Tovah: Out of Her Mind! She took the latter show on the road to Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Hong Kong, and Sydney. The West End production sold out an eight-week run at the Duke of York's Theatre. The Boston Globe selected her as Best Cabaret Artist of 2000. In 2000, she co-wrote and performed in a one-woman play about actress Tallulah Bankhead titled Tallulah Hallelujah!

She returned to Broadway in the Dan Gordon play Irena's Vow in March 2009. She had appeared off-Broadway in this play in September 2008.

At the September 21, 2013, Broadway performance of Pippin, Andrea Martin's last performance as Berthe (Pippin's grandmother) was announced to be the following day, and Feldshuh would be subsequently taking over the role. In 2014, she starred in Gypsy at the Bristol Riverside Theatre as Mama Rose.

In February 2015, she performed a one-woman show that she called Aging Is Optional at 54 Below.

In July 2022, it was announced that Feldshuh would replace Jane Lynch as Mrs. Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl, beginning September 6, 2022.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2022
Mrs. Brice [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
2021
Dr. Ruth

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2018
Guest Star [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2013
Berthe [Replacement]

Berthe [Replacement]

Berthe [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Red Bull Theater Production, 2012
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2009
Performer [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Irena Gut Opdyke

[Off-Broadway]
2008
Irena Gut Opdyke

[Off-Broadway]
2006
Father [Replacement]

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 2006
Dolly Gallagher Levi

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Golda Meir

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Golda Meir

[Off-Broadway]
2002
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2000
Tallulah Bankhead

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

Performer [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1999
Gretchen Mulhausen

[Off-Broadway]
1998
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1997
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1996
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Bessie Burger

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Katherine of Aragon/Anne of Cleves/Catherine

[Off-Broadway]
1991
The Daughter

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1989
Maria

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Mirandolina

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Melaniya

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Mrs. Jelliwell

[Off-Broadway]
1984
Kate Hardcastle

[Broadway]
1979
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Flor

[Broadway]
1975
Yentl

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1975
Performer

[Broadway]
1974
Myriam

[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1974
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1973
Nuns

Foodseller

Nun

Writing

Playwright
Conceiver

Movies

Nunzio
[ 1978 ] Michelle
The Idolmaker
[ 1980 ] Brenda Roberts
Cheaper to Keep Her
[ 1980 ] K.D. Locke
Daniel
[ 1983 ] Linda Mindish
Brewster's Millions
[ 1985 ] Marilyn
Silver Bullet
[ 1985 ] Older Jane
The Blue Iguana
[ 1988 ] Detective Vera Quinn
A Day in October
[ 1991 ] Emma Kublitz
Comfortably Numb
[ 1995 ] Victoria Stevens
The Real Shlemiel
[ 1995 ] Zlateh the Goat, Aunt Sarah, The Matchmaker
Hudson River Blues
[ 1997 ] Charlotte
Charlie Hoboken
[ 1998 ] Angie Cedars
Montana
[ 1998 ] Greta
A Walk on the Moon
[ 1999 ] Lillian Kantrowitz
The Corruptor
[ 1999 ] U.S. Attorney Margaret Wheeler
Happy Accidents
[ 2000 ] Lillian Weaver
Friends and Family
[ 2001 ] Alma Jennings
Kissing Jessica Stein
[ 2001 ] Judy Stein
The End of the Bar
[ 2002 ] Mrs. Garner
New World Order
[ 2002 ] Sponge-Brush Woman
The Tollbooth
[ 2004 ] Ruthie Cohen
The Reality Trap
[ 2005 ] Irina Bolton
Life on the Ledge
[ 2005 ] Mother
Alchemy
[ 2005 ] Senior Editor
O Jerusalem
[ 2006 ] Golda Meir
Just My Luck
[ 2006 ] Madame Z
Lady in the Water
[ 2006 ] Mrs. Bubchik
Love Comes Lately
[ 2007 ] Ethel
Love Life
[ 2007 ] Hannah
Goyband
[ 2008 ] Leah
Language of the Enemy
[ 2008 ] Rebecca Meir
Eavesdrop
[ 2008 ] Susie
Acts of Mercy
[ 2009 ] Nurse Ruth Baker
A Buddy Story
[ 2010 ] Buddy's Mom
Ten Stories Tall
[ 2010 ] Grace Parker
Heterosexuals
[ 2010 ] Remy
A Little Game
[ 2014 ] Head of School
She's Funny That Way
[ 2014 ] Miriam Pendergast
Angelica
[ 2015 ] Nora
Baked in Brooklyn
[ 2016 ] David's Mom
Love Type D
[ 2019 ] Dr. Elsa Blomgren
Remember Amnesia
[ 2019 ] Dr. Paula Smith
Golda's Balcony
[ 2019 ] Golda Meir
Come Find Me
[ 2021 ] Helena
Clifford the Big Red Dog
[ 2021 ] Mrs. Crullerman
Armageddon Time
[ 2022 ] Grandma Mickey Rabinowitz
Bleecker
[ 2022 ] Linda

TV Shows

Scream, Pretty Peggy
Agnes Thornton
Gibbsville
Carole
Serpico
Erica Molinas
Ryan's Hope
Martha McKee
The World of Darkness
Clara Sanford
The Amazing Howard Hughes
Katharine Hepburn
Barnaby Jones
Laura Woods
Family
Susan Bowers
The Bob Newhart Show
Veronica Kidd
Holocaust
Helena Slomova
Terror Out of the Sky
Jeannie Devereux
Once Upon a Classic
Sandy
The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal
Florence
Beggarman, Thief
Monika Wolner
The Women's Room
Iso
Murder Ink
Laura Ireland
The Love Boat
[ 1977-1984 ] Margo Bush, Susan Ridley
Airwolf
Sarah Lebow
The Equalizer
Samantha Page
Mariah
Deena Hertz
L.A. Law
Lynn Palmer
ABC Afterschool Specials
Mrs. Carr
Another World
Alice Benson
Against the Law
Connor
Citizen Cohn
Iva Schlesinger
Tribeca
Sheila Goldberg
As the World Turns
Dr. Bethany Rose
The Cosby Mysteries
Rose
All My Children
Lila Stevenson
A Will of Their Own
Mrs. Rubenstein
Cosby
Annie
The Education of Max Bickford
Sharon Bickford
Queens Supreme
Marie
Law & Order
[ 1991-2007 ] Defense Attorney Danielle Melnick
Crossing Jordan
[ 2006-2007 ] Mrs. Elaine Brandau, Mrs. Elaine Hoffman
The Good Wife
Lena
Ugly Betty
Mrs. Varner
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Defense Attorney Danielle Melnick
Beautiful People
Lynch
Covert Affairs
Rivka Singer
Flesh and Bone
Ivana
Blue Bloods
Sylvia Hayden
The Walking Dead
[ 2015-2016 ] Deanna Monroe
Chicago Justice
Judge Danielle Melnick
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
[ 2015-2018 ] Naomi Bunch
Salvation
[ 2017-2018 ] President Mackenzie
Elena of Avalor
Grandma Miriam
Bull
Judge Garner
Star Wars Resistance
[ 2018-2020 ] Aunt Z
Scenes from a Marriage
Miryam, Jonathan's mother

Awards and Nominations


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Performer, Visiting Production

Tovah FeldshuhGolda's Balcony


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2009 - Best Leading Actress in a Play

Tovah Feldshuh, Irena's Vow

Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Tovah Feldshuh, Golda's Balcony


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Tovah Feldshuh, Golda's Balcony

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Tovah Feldshuh, Golda's Balcony


winner
The Lortels - 2003 - Outstanding Lead Actress

Tovah Feldshuh, Golda's Balcony

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Tovah Feldshuh, Tallulah Hallelujah!

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical

Tovah Feldshuh, Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Play

Tovah Feldshuh, Lend Me a Tenor

Tony Awards - 1989 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Tovah Feldshuh, Lend Me a Tenor

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Tovah Feldshuh , Sarava

Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Tovah Feldshuh, Yentl


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1976 - Performance

Tovah Feldshuh, Yentl

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Tovah Feldshuh, Yentl

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Tovah FeldshuhYentl the Yeshiva Boy


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Special Mention

Tovah FeldshusYentl the Yeshiva Boy


winner
Obie Awards - 1975 - Performance

Tovah FeldshuhYentl the Yeshiva Boy


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1975 - Best Young Player

Tovah Feldshuh, Rogers & Hart


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1975 - Best Young Player

Tovah FeldshuhYentl the Yeshiva Boy


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1975 - Best Young Player

Tovah Feldshuh, Dreyfus in Rehearsal

Videos

News


BWW Q&A: Spencer Whale on KIN at Making Our Space Theatre Co.

This December, experience the magic of “Kin” as Anna, an Ivy-League poet scholar, and Sean, an Irish personal trainer, fall in love. In this play, however, we rarely see the two lovers together. The story is composed instead of scenes that might otherwise be found on the cutting room floor of a romantic dramedy. Audiences will come to know Anna and Sean’s love through a deeper look into their secondary relationships: Anna’s eccentric best friend, Sean’s agoraphobic mother, Anna’s distant father, and more. Friend and family ties stretch across Ireland and New York, revealing the complexities of connection and community.
Joy Behar, Tovah Feldshuh & More to Star in MY FIRST EX-HUSBAND Off-Broadway

The Off-Broadway world premiere of MY FIRST EX-HUSBAND, a new show by comedy maven Joy Behar, will be presented at MMAC Theater. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Alexander Ferguson and Housso Semon to Make Voiceover Debuts in New Film BUT I'M A SHOE

Filmmaker Chen Drachman is bringing Broadway stars to the St. Louis International Film Festival with the world premiere of her new film, But I’m a Shoe. The film stars Alexander Ferguson, an understudy for Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway, and Housso Semon, renowned for her performance in SUFFS.
Ann Talman Stars In ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE BC/EFA Benefit

Ann Talman will present a benefit performance at Don't Tell Mama on December 1, featuring stories and songs inspired by Elizabeth Taylor, supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Exclusive: Karen Mason Mashes Up Kander and Ebb Classics On KAREN MASON AND ALL THAT JAZZ!

Karen Mason debuts a track from her upcoming Kander & Ebb album, featuring rare songs. Discover the latest addition to her celebrated discography, exclusively on BroadwayWorld.
Photos: Opening Night of the 35th New York Cabaret Convention

The Cabaret Convention kicked off last night, 10/22, at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater. The opening night honored Charles Strouse with a star-studded cast including Stephen Schwartz, his collaborator on RAGS. The honoree himself was in attendance. The convention continues tonight and tomorrow. See photos from the evening.
Photos: Backstage At The New York Cabaret Convention at Jazz at Lincoln Center

See backstage photos from the first night of the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Annual Cabaret Spectacular. The convention continues tonight and tomorrow night at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Feature: BroadwayWorld Cabaret Upcoming Show Roundup " Oct. 21 to Oct. 27, 2024

Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with a few top picks for jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week including the cabaret convention, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Jason Robert Brown.
Karen Mason Celebrates Kander & Ebb With New Album KAREN MASON AND ALL THAT JAZZ!

Karen Mason has announced a new album, KAREN MASON AND ALL THAT JAZZ, celebrating the works of Kander & Ebb.
Ari Axelrod Returns to Birdland Jazz Club Next Month

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of award-winning international artist Ari Axelrod with an encore performance of “A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway” on Monday, October 21 at 7:00 PM.
Jeff Harnar to Celebrate THE SECOND TIME AROUND Album at Birdland

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of MAC and Bistro Award-winning concert artist Jeff Harnar – celebrating his new album Jeff Harnar Sings Sammy Cahn: The Second Time Around. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: Kristen Bell & Adam Brody in Netflix's NOBODY WANTS THIS Trailer

Netflix has released the first trailer for the upcoming comedy series Nobody Wants This, starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. In the series, an agnostic podcast host and an unconventional rabbi on the rebound walk into a party. When they walk out — together — the unlikely pair, Joanne (Bell) and Noah (Brody), can tell there is something between them.
RENEE KATZ SINGS IRVING BERLIN - LOST IN HIS ARMS is Coming to Don't Tell Mama

Don’t Tell Mama will present Renee Katz in “Renee Katz Sings Irving Berlin---Lost In His Arms”. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
CHRISTINE ANDREAS: PARIS TO BROADWAY Comes To Hamptons Summer Songbook By The Sea

Christine Andreas will perform her acclaimed show PARIS TO BROADWAY at LTV Studios on August 31, closing out the Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea. Enjoy a musical journey from Paris to Broadway.
Reboot Studios Announces 2024 Funding Recipients To Elevate Diverse Jewish Stories

Reboot Studios has announced the recipients of its 2024 Creator Fund, providing financing support for four cross-platform Jewish media productions.
MARK NADLER & KT SULLIVAN: ALWAYS - THE LOVE STORY OF IRVING BERLIN Comes To Hamptons Summer Songbook By The Sea

Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea will present Mark Nadler & KT Sullivan: Always - The Love Story of Irving Berlin, Saturday, August 24, 7:30PM at LTV Studios in East Hampton.
Mosaic Theater Company to Present Workshop of POSTMORTEM

Mosaic Theater Company will present a workshop for POSTMORTEM, a new play that combines true crime with family drama to tell a story about one woman’s reckoning with her difficult childhood. Learn how to purchase tickets.
KAREN AKERS: WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE Comes To Hamptons Summer Songbook By The Sea

Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea will present Karen Akers: Water Under the Bridge, Saturday, August 17, 7:30PM at LTV Studios in East Hampton. Karen Akers looks back at her life and career through story and song, with musical direction by Alex Rybeck.
JEFF HARNAR: IT'S DE-LOVELY Comes To Hamptons Summer Songbook By The Sea

Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea will present Jeff Harnar: It's De-Lovely - Jeff Harnar Sings Cole Porter, Saturday, August 3, 7:30PM at LTV Studios in East Hampton, with musical direction by Alex Rybeck.
Joy Behar & More to Present Encore Performance of MY FIRST EX-HUSBAND at Bay Street Theater

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts will present an encore performance of popular TV personality and Bay Street Board of Trustees member Joy Behar and friends. Learn how to purchase tickets.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Tovah Feldshuh been in?

Tovah Feldshuh has appeared on Broadway in 12 shows.

How many West End shows has Tovah Feldshuh been in?

Tovah Feldshuh has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Tovah Feldshuh been nominated for?

Outstanding Performer, Visiting Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Golda's Balcony, Best Leading Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Irena's Vow, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Golda's Balcony, Outstanding Solo Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Golda's Balcony, Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Golda's Balcony, Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for Golda's Balcony, Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Tallulah Hallelujah!, Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Lend Me a Tenor, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Lend Me a Tenor, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sarava, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Yentl, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Yentl, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Yentl, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Yentl the Yeshiva Boy, Special Mention (Drama Desk Awards) for Yentl the Yeshiva Boy, Performance (Obie Awards) for Yentl the Yeshiva Boy, Best Young Player (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Rogers & Hart, Best Young Player (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Yentl the Yeshiva Boy and Best Young Player (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Dreyfus in Rehearsal.

What awards has Tovah Feldshuh won?

Tovah Feldshuh has received several prestigious awards throughout her career. She won the Outstanding Performer in a Visiting Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for Golda's Balcony. At the BroadwayWorld Awards, she was honored as Best Leading Actress in a Play for Irena's Vow. The Drama Desk Awards recognized her with the Outstanding Solo Performance for Golda's Balcony and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for Lend Me a Tenor. She also received the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for Yentl. Additionally, Feldshuh received a Special Mention at the Drama Desk Awards for Yentl the Yeshiva Boy, where she also won the Performance award at the Obie Awards. She has been awarded Best Young Player by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for three different productions: Rogers & Hart, Yentl the Yeshiva Boy, and Dreyfus in Rehearsal.

How many shows has Tovah Feldshuh written?

Tovah Feldshuh has written 3 shows including Tovah: Out of Her Mind (Playwright), Tovah: Out of Her Mind (Conceiver), Tallulah Hallelujah! (Playwright).

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Videos