Just in: Fiddler on the Roof star is dead
mainTheodore Bikel, who first played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof in 1967 and performed it more than any other actor, has died at the venerable age of 91.
As recently as 2009, he stood in for Topol on a US tour when the Israel actor suffered an injury.
Bikel was also the first Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music on Broadway.
He appears on numerous recordings in a wide range of folk songs in several languages, delivered in a fine baritone voice.
A very great artist. RIP.
Not to forget his role as “Rance Mohammitz”, the man with the steaming briefcase in Frank Zappa’s “200 Motels”.
He also appeared on Zappa’s “200 Motels” delivering the immortal line “Lord have mercy on the people in England and the terrible food these people must eat”
Rest in peace.
Could you acknowledge his creation of the role of Captain von Trapp in the original stage version of The Sound of Music? Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote Edelweiss for him and he introduced the song to the world in the production. It’s sad to see him die in this year when the film version marks its golden anniversary. But at least he lived to see it.