STATEMENT FROM HARVEY FIERSTEIN ON THE PASSING OF SHELDON HARNICK
Press Contact:
Rick Miramontez / Aaron Meier
rick@omdkc.com / aaron@omdkc.com
212 695 7400
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023, PLEASE
STATEMENT FROM HARVEY FIERSTEIN ON THE PASSING
OF SHELDON HARNICK
The last of “the boys” is gone!
“The Boys” is what I affectionately called the three geniuses who wrote Fiddler on the Roof. As a devotee of theater, as a Jew, as a person who admires brilliance and gentility, I loved Sheldon Harnick and today he left us. But, oh, the gifts he left us!
His lyrics were clear and purposeful and never lapsed into cliche. You’d never catch him relying on easy rhymes or “lists” to fill a musical phrase. He always sought and told the truth for the character and so made acting his songs a joy. A JOY! A JOY!!!! I can’t say that loudly enough. And this atheist will pronounce it… a blessing!
I am proud to say that I was the last actor approved in concert by “the boys” to play Tevye before they each left us. Jerry Bock’s music. Joe Stein’s book. Sheldon Harnick’s lyrics. Perfection. Nothing compares to the feelings I got singing one of their songs. I grew with each stanza; my heart was released with every thought.
Sheldon embraced me just as he embraced his audience with tender inspiration. I loved every visit I had with him and his devoted wife, Margie, backstage during my year of Fiddler on Broadway and then again when I replaced Topol in the road company.
I’m sitting here typing, crying, smiling and wishing to see one more holiday card from him in my mail box. Oh, Sheldon… Ninety-nine years of you were not enough.
Thank you, Sheldon. Thank you.
# # # #
www.omdkc.com
www.instagram.com/omdkc/
www.facebook.com/omdkc
www.twitter.com/omdkc