BROADWAY LIGHTS THE NIGHTS

When the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof was re-mounted in its first non-English production in Japan in 1967, the original book writer, Joseph Stein, was shocked to see how well it was received. Simultaneously, the lead overseas producer was surprised that the show was well received in America: "Do they understand this show in America?" he remarked. "It's so Japanese."

It's one of my favorite Broadway anecdotes. In writing something so truthful to his heritage, Stein inadvertently wrote a show with universal themes that transcended the specific traditions of Tevye and his three daughters. The idea of different generations clashing over cultural traditions - especially with a father / daughter dynamic - was very Jewish, yes, but also very Japanese. 

In the past twenty years I've spent a lot of time donning yarmulkes on stages all across the country playing many energetic Jewish characters. Whether it was for Abraham in Altar Boyz or Marty Kaufman in It Shoulda Been You, I've loved digging into the different aspects of Judaism as I've conducted my character research. I've found that the best way to understand people is through their traditions. And as a theatre person, with rituals, superstitions, and traditions interwoven into everything we do, I love traditions.

My favorite Jewish tradition, you ask? The lighting of the menorah! Growing up in Michigan, I didn't see a lot of menorahs in our community. But the moment I moved to New York City, I began to see them amid the Christmas tree decorations that I was more accustomed to seeing each December. 

If you've ever met me, you know that the hamster wheel in my mind of merchandise creation is always spinning at full speed. My goal with our Gift Shop is to create unique gifts that celebrate the different aspects of our industry, but also the different cultures that are connected with it on either side of the footlights. So, when I got a query from one of our tour-goers, Ken Katz, about creating a BROADWAY menorah, I was instantly onboard! Months of research followed to make sure that we honored all of the details that make a perfect menorah. We tested soooo many different types of candles, conducted flammability tests, and plotted out exactly how we'd arrange the nine candle holders above a word that only has eight letters. The solution? Since the "W" in BROADWAY is so wide, that gets two! 

The day the boxes of our menorahs arrived to my office coincided with the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel. I was horrified by the reports on my TV screen. I struggled to wrap my mind around the senseless violence. In moments like these, the world seems so dark. But I've found that the best way to combat the dark is with light...sometimes literally. In a divisive world, we have traditions and rituals to remind us of our universal humanity. And with all the turbulence in the news recently, perhaps what we need is a little more light from a Broadway menorah this holiday season. 

From all of us here at Broadway Up Close: Happy Hannukah!