Tovah Feldshuh
One of Broadway’s most beloved stars, Tovah Feldshuh recently joined the cast of Funny Girl — her 20th Broadway show. Join us as we chat to the four-time TONY Award-Nominated, two-time EMMY Award-Nominated, and two-time DRAMA DESK Winning thespian in our first column of the new season.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
My desire never to give up.
What was your proudest moment?
When my brother David and I were able to help save my mother Lily’s life, which she lived till over 103 (read the book LILYVILLE).
What is your favorite drink?
Water– I’m a singer, keep hydrated!
What is your favorite food?
16 Handles, cold and creamy yogurts.
What is your favorite condiment?
Garlic, keeps away disease– and some of your co-stars when eaten in abundance! Beware the garlic with spinach from Gallagher’s!
6) What is your current obsession?
FUNNY GIRL, of course!
7) If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
My love of eating late at night after the show. Very hard to avoid treats at that hour.
8) What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
To co-star in my own series entitled Lilyville, for a major network, where I would play my mother, Lily, and get someone brilliant, like Lea Michelle, to play me! Funny Girl gives Lea and me the opportunity to start rehearsing, all we have to do is alter our accents!
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Chanel.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Eating late at night after the show. Thank you 16 Handles for being closed by 10pm, but it doesn’t seem to stop me from invading my healthy refrigerator and then scoring our entire kitchen for something naughty.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Not getting enough sleep. You try to wind down after the curtain call of Funny Girl! Thank you Lea Michele for heating that stage for all of us!
What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
To never give up, and not just on a dream, but on a cause, a healing, and a kindness.
What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
From my mother Lily, overeating.
What in the world most thrills you?
Easy answer, my four remarkable grandchildren (aren’t everyone’s grandchildren remarkable?): Rafael, Camille, Sidney Mei, and Ameilia. Grandchildren are the greatest distraction from the third act of one’s life. To see life reborn anew, in human beings that will also carry forth not just your genes, but also, and hopefully, your values and visions, is like being in love every day of your life.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
The cars that come down 52nd Street, in front of the August Wilson Theatre and feel it is their obligation to share their type of music with the Universe. I have the same feeling for blaring boom boxes off bikes in Central Park. Most of us just want a quiet “green bath” near nature, and a quiet mind in this cacophonous city of ours.
What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
You think I’m gonna tell you? 🙂
What is your favorite place in the world?
Uganda and Rwanda, tracking the Mountain Gorillas.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
Trustworthiness, and a great libido. I have lucked out for the last 46 years with my beloved husband Andrew Harris Levy. And the result is two magnificent children with two magnificent mates: Garson Brandon Levy, married to Ms. Jami Kirk, and Amanda Claire Levy, married to Joel Ryzowy.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
I’m getting used to dogs, but I was brought up with cats and horses.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
On a professional level, to get a call from a major network that my memoire, LILYVILLE: Mother, Daughter, and Other Roles I’ve Played, has a green like to be made into a television series, where I and the person playing my daughter are the hub of the LILYVILLE relationship wheel. Best day in my personal life? To receive the promise that Andrew and I would reach our 70th wedding anniversary in good health– we got 15 years to go!
What is your personal motto?
Reach for the stars. If you reach for the stars, you may land on the roof. If you reach for the roof, you’ll never get off the ground.