A Private Concert at the Fairmont

Posted by joanne on Jan 23, 2010 in theatre, News | 1 comment

Theodore Bikel and Tamara Brooks perform for the Fiddler company

Theodore Bikel and Tamara Brooks treated the Cast and Crew of Fiddler to a private concert in the Wedgwood Salon of Edmonton’s historic Fairmont Hotel Macdonald . What an amazing gift! Yes, we’ve all been lucky enough to experience Mr. Bikel as ‘Tevye’, but many hadn’t seen the other musical facets of our Star.

With Tamara at the piano, Theo told stories and sang the songs that have made him an international legend. He started with a favorite Yiddish tune, (A Pintele) and then proceeded to sing folk songs in Russian, English, Hebrew, French, Spanish and Ladino… not bad for an informal gathering after a three hour performance of Fiddler!

Theo, Kaitlin ... and me!

As things were winding down, Mr. Bikel told a story about his experience as the original Captain Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.” About 48 hours before the show opened on Broadway, Rogers and Hammerstein penned a song for Theo’s character and talents – it would be the last song Oscar Hammerstein ever wrote… his final lyric being, “…forever…” — Then we heard the familiar strumming on his guitar and a most heartfelt version of “Edelweiss.” As the chorus repeated, Tamara gestured for everyone to join in … and the room was filled with the voices of angels…

Finally, he put down the guitar and stood up.  With no introduction, Ms. Brooks began a familiar melody on the piano, and Mr. Bikel began to sing … at first in Hebrew, then moved to English, and they finished the performance with Jacques Brel’s “If We Only Have Love.”

It was an unforgettable evening. Thank you Tamara and Theo…