Anatevka Schtick: Seven "Fiddler" jokes (Don't miss today's Weekly Blast!)
Why did the fiddler refuse to play "Sunrise, Sunset"?
Shalom!
This week, The Broadway Maven looks at The Phantom of the Opera and Fiddler on the Roof.
• On Sunday, March 19 at Noon ET and Monday, March 20 at Noon and 7 pm ET we’ll have a FREE class exploring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s soon-to-close record-setting long-running horror musical. Register here.
• On Tuesday, March 21 at Noon ET the ALL-ACCESS group will have a BONUS class on “The Funnies on Broadway.”
• On Wednesday, March 22 at Noon ET the Jewish Broadway series will continue with a discussion of the Anatevka-set classic Jewish musical. $5. Register here.
• This Weekly Blast includes:
A) seven artificial-intelligence-written JOKES about Fiddler on the Roof (included here FREE in this preview issue);
B) a YouTube GEM demonstrating a chandelier crash from a production of The Phantom of the Opera;
C) a REVIEW of a documentary on the making of the movie version of Fiddler on the Roof;
D) a SURVEY about which of Tevye’s daughters respondents most identify with;
E) a YouTube GEM Stephen Colbert tribute to Fiddler; and
F) a LAST BLAST (FREE as always) about Gypsy.
I instructed ChatGPT (versions 3 and 4) to write jokes related to Fiddler on the Roof. Here are my favorites; react to the technology — and the humor — below:
Hodel tells her family that she's in love with a revolutionary named Perchik. Tevye responds, "A revolutionary? What does he want to revolutionize?" Hodel says, "He wants to change the world, Papa." Tevye replies, "Well, that's nice. But can he change a diaper?"
The Rabbi is giving a sermon about the importance of tradition. Perchik disagrees, saying "Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people.”
Knock, knock. Who's there? Tevye. Tevye who? Tevye the Milkman. If I were a rich man, I’d have someone else knock on doors for me!
Why did the fiddler refuse to play "Sunrise, Sunset"? Because he didn't want to play favorites!
When Perchik talks about the importance of workers' rights, Tevye responds, "Workers' rights? In our village, the only rights we have are the right to work and the right to kvetch."
Knock, knock. Who's there? Chava. Chava who? Chava you heard the news? Tevye is going to be a grandfather!
Why did the fiddler decide to take up carpentry? He was tired of always being fiddler on the floor.
Next Classes:
Just in time for its Broadway closing, The Phantom of the Opera is the next subject for a FREE Broadway Maven class. We’ll look at design elements like the mask and chandelier, as well as the history of the show, its music, and its lyrics. We’ll also have a music theory presentation by music educator and Broadway Maven co-host Karina Carr about the famous Phantom musical theme.
The Phantom of the Opera meets Sunday, March 19 at Noon ET and Monday, March 20 at Noon and 7 pm ET. FREE.
It’s the classic Jewish musical. We’ll look at the Jewishness of Fiddler on the Roof as well as its worldwide popularity; examine the debate over the second act’s strengths and weaknesses; and have a music theory lesson from Karina Carr. Not to be missed.
Fiddler on the Roof meets Wednesday, March 22 at Noon ET. $5.
Upcoming Homework:
For your Phantom of the Opera homework, watch these performances of “Music of the Night” by high school students. Which are your favorite? Explain your answers in the comments.
For your Fiddler homework, watch the video below. Why has Fiddler had such a universal impact? Explain your answers in the comments.
Note: links to register for ALL classes are ALWAYS available at TheBroadwayMaven.com.
• Sunday, March 19 Phantom of the Opera (Noon ET, FREE)
• Monday, March 20 Phantom of the Opera (Noon and 7 pm ET, FREE)
• Tuesday, March 21 “The Funnies on Broadway” bonus class (Noon ET, ALL-ACCESS Only)
• Wednesday, March 22 Fiddler on the Roof (Noon ET, $5)
• Sunday, March 26 CATS (Noon ET, FREE)
• Monday, March 27 CATS (Noon and 7 pm ET, FREE)
• Wednesday, March 29 Peter Filichia on Jewish Broadway hits and misses (Noon ET, $5)
Reminder: ALL-ACCESS Passholders do not need to sign up or pay for anything. Just show up!
LAST BLAST: In the song “Some People” from Gypsy, Madame Rose demands “88 bucks” from her father to get her kids started in show business. Perhaps not coincidentally, there are 88 keys on a keyboard.
The Broadway Maven, David Benkof, helps students further their appreciation of musical theater through his classes, his YouTube Channel, and his Weekly Blast. Contact him at DavidBenkof@gmail.com.