Theatre

Joanne Borts,  Actor ~ Singer ~ Advocate

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 of excitement…  Seriously, never a dull moment!!

Visit my blog for all the news that we can fit…!!

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#BestJobEver

Life is good… even in Dublin!

The past 2 years have been an amazing journey with the original Broadway cast of Once.  I can’t help but thank my lucky stars for this incredible opportunity.  I go to work each day with the most remarkable and talented group of Actor/Musicians… And covering the role of Baruška (Girl’s mother) I have had the chance to kiss all of the Guys that have graced our stage! #BestJobEver!!  Winning 8 Tony awards, including Best Musical for 2013, followed up by the Grammy was pretty fab, too.  Great gig, great company… As I gaze out  my dressing room window at the Jacobs Theatre, I can truly hear the lullaby of Broadway…

I beg to differ…

In 2010, I finished an 18 month National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof starring … Harvey Fierstein!  I mean … Theodore Bikel!!  Wasn’t it Topol??  Pick a Tevye, any Tevye…

Actually, what started as a “shake-up” when Topol left the tour,  has turned into a very interesting and exciting experience for our company.   Harvey Fierstein joined us in Toronto and will return for San Francisco and beyond.  Theodore Bikel led the company through Calgary and Edmonton,  Tucson, AZ and Appleton, WI.

Backstage in Boston

Sound confusing?  A little, but it was terrific.  Audiences were on their feet every night, and it was all very satisfying.

I played Mirele, one of the Mamas…and I understudied Yente, the Matchmaker… (ah, no surprise, there’s a character who is very close to my heart…)

I also understudied Fruma Sarah, the big cranky ghost!! Who was being played by a guy!

As Fruma Sarah in Houston, TX

Am I gorgeous or what??   Such a riot to perform, but definitely a little scary way up there!  I’m very grateful for the strength, tolerance and fortitude of my “Fruma-Bottom.”  How ’bout those green lips?

Keep up with the crazy antics of Mirele on the Roof …!!

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Other recent Theatre credits include:

  • “Hershele Ostropolye” at the National Yiddish Theatre, Folksbiene, NYC at the Baruch Performing Arts Center
  • “Kids & Yiddish“ at the National Yiddish Theate, Folksbiene, NYC at the Baruch Performing Arts Center.
  • “A Yiddish Vaudeville” (starring Bruce Adler, z”l) at the National Yiddish Theatre, Folksbiene, NYC at the JCC of Manhattan.
  • Menopause:  the Musical! at the Stuart Street Playhouse in Boston, Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia and the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven Connecticut.
  • “On Second Avenue” (starring Mike Burstyn) at the Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre, NYC at the JCC of Manhattan and the University of Judaism in Los Angeles.
  • Hello Dolly at the Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.