Actor ~ Singer ~ Advocate
Watch out World! I’ve been lucky enough to perform all over the US, Canada and Europe ~ working with young talent and big stars. Theatre, concerts, recording, directing and lots of teaching. I’ve also had the opportunity to represent some incredible organizations that are close to my heart and really make some noise… ...
Theatre
What fantastic luck! I’ve performed on Broadway, off-Broadway, in National Tours, Dinner Theatres, Summer Stock, Regional Theatres across the US & Canada and in tons of showcases in and around New York. I’ve been a member of Actors’ Equity Association for over 25 years, and believe me, every day in the theatre is another bit...
There once was a Union Maid…
…who never was afraid! I learned that song at Camp Hemshekh when I was 12 years old, and at the time I had no idea how Woody Guthrie’s words would affect the rest of my life. As a member of the Council of Actors’ Equity Association and a lifelong supporter of the labor movement, I’m proud of what I do for my Union and...
Concerts
I’ve been performing in cabarets and concert halls all over North America and Europe for over 20 years. The most recent iteration of my cabaret show, “Lush & Hora” has paired me with the talents of Grammy Award-winner, Lorin Sklamberg, I’ve also had the good fortune to sing duets with Neil Sedaka at Carnegie Hall, dance...
Kids & Yiddish!!
2009 marked the 10th Anniversary of my labor of love, Kids & Yiddish: A Musical Adventure – at our new off Broadway home – the Baruch Performing Arts Center. It featured a company of 6 talented performers, including award-winning puppeteer, Jenny Romaine (Circus Amok, Great Small Works), newcomers Amy Erlanger and Stav...
Weddings, Anthems and other Groovy stuff…!
So, one of my other little hobbies is marrying people… well, not marrying them like I married my husband Mike, but, you know… Marrying People! To each other!! I’m officially called an “Ordained Clergy Person” — but I also answer to “Duchess” “High Priestess” and sometimes even...
Local Girl makes good…
Gimme an "S"!!! (photo by Jesse Ritz)
I have arrived!!
I’ve hit the Big Time!!
Yes, after years of obscurity, I’ve finally reached hometown hero status! Idina Menzel, Natalie Portman and… ME!!
Ursula Moore, a journalist from the Syosset Patch discovered me right here on www.JoanneBorts.com!! Who knew? I’m getting farklemt…
Check out this article:
Borts Has More Than a Song in Her Heart
I’m totally tickled!
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Fare thee well, Fiddler…
Arrivederci Anatevka!
My dear Fellow Fiddler Voyagers…
How do I sum up what has taken 18 months, 40 different cities and 463 performances to experience? We’ve been explorers together, shared hundreds of Sabbaths, and had so many surprising and excellent adventures…
I can’t thank you enough… I never thought I’d tour again, but it was worth it to have had the chance to work with each of you. You came into my life at a fascinating time, and we all dove into this journey head-first ~ And when we meet again in NY or Vegas or wherever our paths lead us, we’ll know that we all shared something unique and remarkable.
Now that our wild ride has faced its final curtain, I hope that we will have the opportunity to tell more stories together… perhaps we’ll meet in Glocca Morra? Or Ancient Greece… or Oz…? No matter where and when, I’m grateful for this time, and I will miss each and every one of you ~ and this life ~and our little village of Anatevka.
Mazel Tov! Good luck in all your future endeavors and may we meet only on Happy Occasions!!
L’chaim!!
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“It’s a Major Award!!”
With the "Leg Lamp" in Cleveland!
Can you name that movie? It was filmed here in Cleveland, Ohio!!
Wow… Fiddler on the Roof is coming in for a landing — One more week here in Cleveland at the Palace Theatre, then we’re all on to greener pastures… We’ve covered the country back and forth several times, and now we’re here in the mid-west for our last hurrah!! Huzzah!!!
Our Nachum, the Begger – Rick Passagno – asked a favor of the company. He’s teaching a Theatre Class for college students, and he asked us to contribute our 2 cents about our experiences on tour. This produced a little something I’m excited to share.
Click here to read Life-Lessons from the Road! What started out as a quick reply email turned into a valuable exercise for me… and I hope others might enjoy it as well…
Just a little food for thought! Buon Appetito!!
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A Concert with Lorin Sklamberg
Performing with Lorin Sklamberg at the YIVO Heritage Dinner
On April 26th, I had the opportunity to perform at the 9th Annual YIVO Heritage Dinner in New York City. As always, working with Lorin Sklamberg is just a dream… We sang a wide range of songs, including the Barry Sisters’ “Prost un Pushet” (Plain and Simple) , “Regnboygn” (Rainbow) from Kids & Yiddish and The Klezmatics’ version of Chava Alberstein’s “Di Krenitse” (The Well).
After 15 months on the road with Fiddler on the Roof, it was a pleasure to take my day off to sing those beautiful Yiddish words on the stage with one of my favorite collaborators. Our program, “Harts un Soul” has been patiently waiting for us to put voice to it again, and what better place than the Institute for Jewish research.
And the next day, I was back in Washington, DC at the National Theatre with Fiddler. Harvey’s back in the show, and as usual, we’re getting rave reviews and selling out. So what could be bad?
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Lost in Austin
with Mark Rubin and Sasha Luminsky at World Famous Threadgill's Diner!
It’s official: Austin is my new favorite city in Texas!!! There, I said it. I’ve enjoyed the blue bonnets in many a Texas town before ~ Houston, Dallas, Galvaston, San Antonio ~ but Austin has come as a wonderful surprise. I’ve heard tales of the music scene before, but it’s really better when experienced first hand.
Got shanghai’d on Monday by the Austin’s own, unforgettable Mark Rubin ~ dinner at Threadgill’s, two-steppin’ over at the Continental Club, then onto a giant-sized jam session in a mansion near the “J”… I’m still recovering!
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Arizona Nights…
Sunset over Tucson
Tucson is quite simply… magnificent!!
The majestic mountains… the perfect weather. Visiting with good friends during the day and performing Fiddler at night… It’s weeks like this that make touring worthwhile. A thousand thanks to the Dumas Clan for making my visit feel like I was home sweet home! Didn’t get much of a tan, but did enjoy much of Tucson’s nightlife!!
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Open your Golden Gate…
Mike and I on the Golden Gate Bridge
What a great town this is…and the San Francisco audiences have been very good to us. Generous and enthusiastic… It’s nice to be on stage when you can really hear and see the crowd. And the city! And the food!! And the weather…! Today is such a gorgeous day. While the rest of the country is getting snow and ice, we’ve got cool breezes and sunshine.
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Joanne WHO?
I'm a New York based broadway actor and singer (most recently appearing in ONCE) who also performs in concerts and music festivals across the U.S., Canada and Europe. When I'm not on tour, I write and direct a really hip and innovative off-b'way kids show ~ I'm on the council of Actors' Equity and frequently sing the national anthem at professional sporting events. I love Barbershop harmony, playing my little red accordion and my husband's cooking... That's me!!