On display in this exhibition is a portrait of a young, dapper Fyvush Finkel, who most of us are unfamiliar with. We remember dear Fyvush in his later years, and for his roles in a number of television programs that were broadcast in the early nineties and 2000s, such as "Chicago Hope," “Picket Fences” and “Boston Legal.” But did you know that he actually began his acting career on the Yiddish stage? Fyvush performed for twenty-five years in the Yiddish theatre, beginning in 1941. He also was featured in a 1950 Yiddish film called "Monticello, Here We Come."
Fyvush made his Broadway theatre debut in the original 1964 production of the musical "Fiddler on the Roof," joining the cast as Mordcha, the innkeeper, in 1965. The production ran through July 2, 1972. Fyvush then played Lazar Wolf, the butcher, in the limited run of the 1981 Broadway revival of "Fiddler," and eventually played the lead role of Tevye the milkman for years in the national touring company.
This concludes the exhibition, "The Jewish Actor in America." We hope that you enjoyed viewing these many portraits and learning more about these wonderful Yiddish actors and actresses, as well as the Yiddish theatre in general.
We hope to create a traveling exhibition of these works, and even create new exhibitions, featuring portraits of more Jewish actors, each of whom entertained us over these many years, not only on the Yiddish stage, but in American theatre, film, television and radio.
Thank you once again for visiting "The Jewish Actor in America!!
