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Tradition!: The Highly Improbable, Ultimately Triumphant Broadway-to-Hollywood Story of Fiddler on the Roof, the World's Most Beloved Musical Hardcover – September 2, 2014
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSt. Martin's Press
- Publication dateSeptember 2, 2014
- Dimensions6.36 x 0.93 x 9.46 inches
- ISBN-10031259142X
- ISBN-13978-0312591427
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The seemingly hyperbolic subtitle of award-winning journalist and theater author Isenberg’s tribute to Fiddler on the Roof, "the world’s most beloved musical," is entirely justified. Interviews with the principal creators, actors, and allied personnel juxtaposed with detailed number-crunching statistics and balance-sheet information and a breezily deft narrative explicate the inherent charm and soul of Fiddler. The author has created a most endearing valentine to honor the production on its upcoming 50th anniversary (the show opened on Broadway’s Imperial Theatre September 22, 1964)… VERDICT: A deliciously rich and detailed story of an American musical-theater jewel… An obligatory purchase for every musical theater collection." —Library Journal
"Barbara’s book traces the history of Fiddler from the stage to the screen. It is a fascinating story filled with laughter and tears."—Norman Jewison, director of the film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof
"Tradition gives you a wonderful sense of Sholem Aleichem’s world and Fiddler’s heart- and of the heartbreak that runs through its core. Reading the book, I realized what denomination of Jew I am—a Fiddler on the Roof Jew."—Julie Salamon, author of Wendy and the Lost Boys: The Uncommon Life of Wendy Wasserstein
"Barbara Isenberg’s history of Fiddler on the Roof, from Sholom Aleichem’s Tevye stories to Norman Jewison’s film and beyond, is definitive. I can’t imagine anyone covering the subject more fascinatingly or eloquently. As someone who was lucky enough to be part of the saga, I applaud Tradition!"—Hal Prince
"Barbara Isenberg's book about the making of Fiddler itself has all the qualities that make that musical so great: it's drenched in humanity, it's full of joy and sorrows, beautifully rendered, it's often very funny and it's almost somber in the way it appreciates the process through which unforgettable theatre has to be born. The early parts of it, which I lived through, hit me with, if I wanted to be pretentious (and I do) a truly Proustian surge; the rest of it conveyed all the richness and fascination it surely had for all those participants. I think as many people who love Fiddler on the Roof will love this book. In other words, people all over the world."—Austin Pendleton
"Great works of art seem to have been created effortlessly. They appear as whole, solid and eternal as if they'd always existed in their perfection. Fiddler on the Roof is one of those works. Every element of the story, script, music and lyrics are so naturally balanced and complete that it seems impossible to imagine the success of this piece was ever in question or that its creators ever floundered. Here, Barbara Isenberg uncovers sweat and tears behind the curtain through the stories of those who were actually there. And then, she carries us forward to this day's productions which keep Fiddler on the Roof before generation after generation of appreciative audiences. Brava, Barbara!!!!"— Harvey Fierstein
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : St. Martin's Press (September 2, 2014)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 031259142X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0312591427
- Item Weight : 15.7 ounces
- Dimensions : 6.36 x 0.93 x 9.46 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,831,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,106 in Broadway & Musicals (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
BARBARA ISENBERG is an award winning journalist who has been interviewing artists in print and onstage for over three decades. She is the author of the Los Angeles Times best-sellers "Tradition!: The Highly Improbable, Ultimately Triumphant Broadway-to-Hollywood Story of 'Fiddler on the Roof,' The World's Most Beloved Musical" and "Conversations with Frank Gehry" as well as "State of the Arts: California Artists Talk About Their Work" and "Making It Big: The Diary of a Broadway Musical." Formerly a staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times, where she remains a contributor, and Wall Street Journal, she has also written for Time, Esquire, The Huffington Post, and London's Sunday Times. She received a Distinguished Artist Award from the Los Angeles Music Center and has been a Visiting Scholar at the Getty Research Institute. She lives in Los Angeles.
For more information, visit: www.barbaraisenberg.com
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging and entertaining. They appreciate the thorough and well-researched account of the development of the classic musical. The stories provide an interesting and informative read about the trials and tribulations involved in creating a musical.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the engaging and entertaining stories in this book about the birth of a classic musical. They find the back story fascinating and informative, and appreciate the account of one of the greatest musicals of all time.
"...conjures up warm and tearful recollection of one of the greatest musicals of all time...." Read more
"..."biography" of one of the best and most popular Broadway musicals ever written...." Read more
"An easy, informative, interesting read. Lots of great stories about the trials and tribulations involved in birthing a masterpiece -- it didn't..." Read more
"Fascinating evolution of a wonderful play and insights that we'd never know about how the script, story, music, direction etc intertwine...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book. They say it's a wonderful book, but not to read at bedtime due to the haunting melodies.
"...I recommend that you not read this wonderful book at bedtime, because the haunting melodies will start rushing through your mind and keep you wide..." Read more
"...A good read!" Read more
"WONDERFUL book on the evolution and production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at a great price and shipped in a timely manner - VERY pleased with..." Read more
"Loved this book.. completely engaging, entertaining and flowed as if someone were telling a story." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's informative and well-researched account of the development of the classic play. They find it readable and insightful, with many wonderful details like Zero Mostel constantly breaking.
"...Isenberg digs up many wonderful details, such as Zero Mostel constantly breaking character during his performances as Tevye and Norman Jewison’s..." Read more
"An easy, informative, interesting read...." Read more
"Fascinating evolution of a wonderful play and insights that we'd never know about how the script, story, music, direction etc intertwine...." Read more
"A thorough and well-researched account of the development of the classic play "Fiddler on the Roof" and the subsequent impact it had." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2014Fiddler on the Roof—just reading the title conjures up warm and tearful recollection of one of the greatest musicals of all time. All those memories well up on reading "Tradition." Somehow, we think of great cultural treasures as being conceived and born just as we finally experience them, but Barbara Isenberg’s insightful and gripping account of the show’s gestation proves that this is far from the truth. Everybody thought the show was far too Jewish to succeed with a mass audience, but producer Harold Prince took a chance on it. Director Jerome Robbins constantly shaped and reshaped the work (driving everyone meshuga in the process) and the composers wrote about 50 songs, most of which were cut. Isenberg digs up many wonderful details, such as Zero Mostel constantly breaking character during his performances as Tevye and Norman Jewison’s need to use marble dust as fake snow in the movie, or the fact that the ladies’ stockings were placed over the camera lens during filming. I recommend that you not read this wonderful book at bedtime, because the haunting melodies will start rushing through your mind and keep you wide awake. Happy 50th birthday to Fiddler on the Roof! L'Chaim! May it live a thousand years!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2014Author Barbara Isenberg has crafted a highly readable and wonderfully informative "biography" of one of the best and most popular Broadway musicals ever written. Anyone with an interest in the history of American musical theatre in general or "Fiddler on the Roof" in particular will find this book to be a welcome addition to their library. Recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2016An easy, informative, interesting read. Lots of great stories about the trials and tribulations involved in birthing a masterpiece -- it didn't come together easily or magically, it was dedication and hard work. Oh -- and Frank Sinatra wanted to play Tevye in the movie version! Ha!!!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2014The book covered the story of how the book and music came together, the casting, the out-of-town previews, the special issues of filming the story and how it was received around the world. A timely reflection on the 50th anniversary of Fiddler's opening on Broadway. A good read!
- Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2015Fascinating evolution of a wonderful play and insights that we'd never know about how the script, story, music, direction etc intertwine. Also shows the personalities of the people who made it happen and how they worked together. It made me realize the uncertainties that go along with the unfolding of a play with those who don't think it will have a wide audience and those who see it in a more universal breadth.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2017A thorough and well-researched account of the development of the classic play "Fiddler on the Roof" and the subsequent impact it had.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2015Entertaining and an easy read. If you know the show and like Broadway musicals, you'll enjoy learning the back story
- Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2015WONDERFUL book on the evolution and production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at a great price and shipped in a timely manner - VERY pleased with the item AND the service!
Top reviews from other countries
- Ann BaxterReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars My review
Thoroughly enjoyed this
A loving look at a wonderful musical , great stories and facts throughout the book most enjoyable
- tonyzReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2015
3.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad read
Not as comprehensive as Wonder of Wonders. Needed more detail. Not a bad read though