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...
À bientôt Theodore Bikel … Welcome Back Harvey Fierstein!!
Marquis at the Golden Gate in San Francisco
… and the good old US of A…! It was a terrific seven weeks in Canada, but it’s great to back where our dollar has some value and using a cell phone won’t send you into bankruptcy…
I haven’t played the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco in over 20 years… July 1989 with Topol in Fiddler, to be exact! So much looks familiar… like the interior of the theatre (gevalt!!) but just a couple blocks East on Market looks suspiciously like MallTown USA… seriously ~ Lots of chain stores, lots of neon, lots of restaurants and movie theatres! Of course, the Tenderloin is still the Tenderloin… but some things will never change!
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Did you hear? Did you hear??? We’re a hit in Edmonton…!
Fiddler’s a hit in Edmonton…! Check out these reviews!!
And Edmonton? Kind of great! We had great weather …for Alberta in the middle of January… we enjoyed our digs and ate some really terrific food.
Before leaving Edmonton, I had a chance to visit the “Ice on Whyte” exhibit with Theo and Tamara . Everything was made of ICE… sculptures… bridges… a ‘furnished’ house…even an Ice Castle… cue music… All in all, pretty remarkable!
Au Revoir Theo and Tamara! See you in Tucson!!!
Ice on Whyte
- Inside the Ice House
Ice Phoenix
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A Private Concert at the Fairmont
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…
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The Road to Edmonton…
The Road to Edmonton...
OK, anyone else rather take a bus than fly these days…?
Travel Day was a breeze and we got to Edmonton with absolutely no drama… What a relief! No security checkpoints, no overweight luggage… just load up and go! Why don’t we do this more often? The world would be a better place…
Fiddler opens tomorrow night at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Word is, this theatre looks exactly the same as the one in Calgary. I’ll believe it when I see it…
I’m looking forward to working with our three new cast members, Rusty, Mark and Emily. But mostly, I can’t wait to continue the hang Tamara Brooks backstage between entrances.
Joanne and Tamara backstage
I’m actually quite accustomed to seeing myself in a babushka these days, but when I bumped into the Presenter at a restaurant tonight, she had absolutely no idea who I was… and she looked a little nervous when I knew her dog’s name! It was pretty funny… But really, aren’t I just gorgeous in my sheitel??
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Fiddler’s a HIT in Southern Alberta!
me and Theo backstage in Calgary
me and Theo backstage at Fiddler in Calgary ==>>>
Did you hear?? The reviews are in! Fiddler and Theodore Bikel are a hit in Calgary! And a Chinook wind kept us warm all week – that and my new fuzzy waterproof boots!
But as we said goodbye to Calgary, we also bid a tearful adieu to three cast members, Sean Patrick Doyle, Eric Van Tielen and Rena Strober.
Sayonara SPD, EVT & Rena!
Sniff… we’ll miss you guys!!
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Theodore Bikel opens in Fiddler!
Cast members were thrilled to welcome Mr Bikel into our company as we opened in Calgary, AB last night to cheers and a standing ovation.
L’Chaim Theo!! We’re delighted to have you with us!
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Fiddler goes to Calgary!
DID YOU HEAR…??
I’ve been on the road with Fiddler on the Roof since January 2009… can you believe it’s been a year? It feels like 12 months… 52 weeks… Oy!! Now and Forever!
So much has happened… We started with Topol back in Providence, RI… then Harvey Fierstein joined us in Toronto, and now we’re headed to Calgary with the one and only Theodore Bikel.
Follow the crazy antics of MIRELE ON THE ROOF!
Next stop, Calgary, with our newest star, Theodore Bikel. Come see us at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium through January 17th.
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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!!