Author-actress Silber keynote speaker at JCC Book Festival

BOB ABELMAN | COLUMNIST columnists@cjn.org

No creative work by or about Jews has won the hearts of Americans as thoroughly as “Fiddler on the Roof.” The original 1964 Broadway production of the musical, based on the stories written by Sholem Aleichem in 1894, ran for a then-unprecedented 3,242 performances and earned nine Tony Awards.

Fifty years after the show’s premiere, Alexandra Silber starred as Tevye’s oldest daughter Tzeitel in the fifth Broadway revival of “Fiddler.”

What happened to Hodel, the family’s second-eldest daughter, is the subject of Silber’s book, “After Anatevka” by Pegasus Publishing, which will be the focus of her keynote presentation at the 19th annual Mandel Jewish Community Center Cleveland Book Festival.

The last time we see Hodel on stage, she is waiting with her father for the train that will take her to Siberia to join her Socialist-leaning fiancé, Perchick. But when we catch up to her in this novel, we learn of the extraordinary hurdles – both personal and political –that attempt to keep them apart.

“Ms. Silber has employed her formidable intelligence, her lively imagination, (and) her poetic sensibility to create ‘After Anatevka’,” writes “Fiddler” lyricist Sheldon Harnick in the book’s Forward. The result, he continues, “is a powerful and gripping tale of love, loyalty, bravery, and endurance.”

But why focus on Hodel and not Tzeitel?

“I played Hodel in the 2007 revival of ‘Fiddler’ in London’s West End after I had recently lost my own father to cancer,” said Silber by telephone from New York City, “Every day for two years, I spoke Hodel’s final words ‘Papa, God alone knows when we shall see each other again. ...” Each time as Hodel said goodbye, so did I. She then boards a

Keynote Event, Mandel JCC Cleveland Jewish Book Festival

WHERE: The Mandel Jewish Community Center Stonehill Auditorium, 26001 S. Woodland Road, Beachwood

WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 10

TICKETS & INFO: $20 members and $25 others. Call 216-831-0700 or visit mandeljcc.org/bookfestival train and we never hear from her again. I needed to know what happened to her.”

Silber was born in Los Angeles and grew up just outside of Detroit, where there was always a Rodgers and Hammerstein songbook on the coffee table and impromptu games of musical theater “Jeopardy” were often played.

When she was 14-years-old, she took a trip to see the musical “Ragtime” in New York, after which she met Tonywinner Judy Kaye, who predicted that the young Silber would end up on Broadway someday.

After attending Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Mich., during high school, Silber continued her training as an actor at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. She graduated just days before her professional debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Woman in White” in London’s West End. She made her Broadway debut in 2011 in Terrence McNally’s “Master Class.”

For her keynote presentation, Silber and her musical director Ben Moss have created a 75-minute program, where she will read from select chapters of the book, discuss the process of creating its characters, and incorporate songs from “Fiddler” – including Hodel’s “Far From the Home I Love” – as well as original works by Broadway composers.

“We are offering an utterly original theatrical event: a musicalized book reading,” she said.

While “After Anatevka” follows Hodel’s arduous journey, those interested in Silber’s story should look for her just-released memoir, “White Hot Grief Parade.”

To read more about the Mandel JCC Cleveland Book Fest and view the schedule, visit cjn.org.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Tri-C Jazzfest “Flying Home” series: Phillip Jones concert, 8:30 p.m., Nighttown, 12383 Cedar Rd., Cleve. $10 at nighttowncleveland.com.

Twin-bill performances of “Above and Beyond” by Faye Sholiton and “The Silence of Dr. and Mrs. Caligari” by Robert Hawkes, 7:30 p.m., Creative Space at Waterloo Arts, 397 E. 156th St., Cleve. $12-$18 at playwrightslocal.org or call 216-302-8856. Thru Nov. 18.

“Les Miserables” theatrical performance, 7:30 p.m., Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleve. Tickets at playhousesquare.org or 216-241-6000. Thru Nov. 18.

“The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy” performance, 8 p.m., Aurora Community Theatre, 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora. Tickets at auroracommunitytheatre. com or 330-562-1818. Thru Nov. 17.

Cleveland Pops Orchestra’s 2018-2019 season “A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim & Andrew Lloyd Webber” concert, 8 p.m., Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleve. As part of a subscription series. For more info and tickets, visit clevelandpops.com.

“Grand Gestures” large paintings by Christine Ries and Doreen Grasso exhibition opening reception, 4:30-6 p.m., 200 Public Square, Cleve. Hollander sisters Shabbat service performance, 6:15 p.m., Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. Service is open to all and reception to follow. For more info, visit fairmounttemple.org.

“Mosaics” dance performance, 8 p.m., Mather Dance Center, 11040 Bellflower Rd., Cleve. $15, $10 adults 60+ and CWRU faculty/staff, $7 students with ID. For more info, visit dance.cwru.edu/reservations.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” theatrical performance, 7:30 p.m., Eldred Theatre, 2070 Adelbert Rd., Cleve. $10, $7 adults 60+ and CWRU faculty/staff, $5 students with ID. For more info, visit theatre.case.edu.

CWRU Concert Choir and Church of the Covenant Sanctuary Choir performance, 8 p.m., Church of the Covenant, 11205 Euclid Ave., Cleve. Free parking available. For more info, visit music.cwru.edu.

“A Day of Absence” performance, 7:30 p.m., Arena Theatre, 2355 E. 89 St., Cleve. $25-$40 at 216-795-7077 or karamuhouse.org. Thru Nov. 18.

Carl Bromel of My Morning Jacket with Steelism concert, 8 p.m., Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleve. Hts. $18-$20 at grogshop.gs.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10

“Through the Eyes of the Artist: Lecture Painting and Workshop” with Felicia Zavarella Stadelman, 1-3 p.m., Beachwood Community Center, 25225 Fairmount Blvd. in Beachwood. $25 BAC members and $30 nonmembers. To register, call 216-595-3400 and leave your name and number.

Ballet Hispanico performance, 7:30 p.m., Ohio Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleve. $25-$45 at 216-241-6000 or playhousesquare.org.

Greater Cleveland Film Commission’s “Band of Brothers” showing and fundraiser event, 7-8 p.m., FirstEnergy Stadium, 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleve. Tickets at bit.ly/2OF5PB1.

Twin-bill performances of “Above and Beyond” by Faye Sholiton and “The Silence of Dr. and Mrs. Caligari” by Robert Hawkes, 7:30 p.m., Creative Space at Waterloo Arts, 397 E. 156th St., Cleve. $12-$18 at playwrightslocal.org or call 216-302-8856.

Thru Nov. 18.

“Les Miserables” theatrical performance, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleve. Tickets at playhousesquare.org or 216-241-6000.

Thru Nov. 18.

“The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy” performance, 8 p.m., Aurora Community Theatre, 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora. Tickets at auroracommunitytheatre. com or 330-562-1818. Thru Nov. 17.

Apollo’s Fire’s Baroque Orchestra “O Jerusalem! Crossroads of Three Faiths” concert, 8 p.m., The Temple-Tifereth Israel, 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. Tickets at apollosfire.org or 216-320-0012.

“Rock This Town!” book signing with authors Fran and Jules Belkin, 2 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 28801 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere.

“Mosaics” dance performance, 8 p.m., Mather Dance Center, 11040 Bellflower Rd., Cleve. $15, $10 adults 60+ and CWRU faculty/staff, $7 students with ID. For more info, visit dance.cwru.edu/reservations.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” theatrical performance, 7:30 p.m., Eldred Theatre, 2070 Adelbert Rd., Cleve. $10, $7 adults 60+ and CWRU faculty/staff, $5 students with ID. For more info, visit theatre.case.edu.

“A Day of Absence” performance, 7:30 p.m., Arena Theatre, 2355 E. 89 St., Cleve. $25-$40 at 216-795-7077 or karamuhouse.org. Thru Nov. 18.

Phil Turk concert, 7-10 p.m., StoneWater Golf Club, 1 Club Dr., Highland Hts. For more info, call Whitney Neidus at 440-461-4653 x232.

Art Ventures feat. Israeli artist Gadi Zamir, 10 a.m.-noon, Negative Space Gallery, 1541 E. 38th St., Cleve. For more info, visit the Facebook event at bit.ly/2DnL1fE.

Magical Theatre Company presents The Diamond Project concert, a Neil Diamond tribute band, 7:30 p.m., Magical Theater Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. $25-$30 at bit.ly/2DohVwv.

TR3 feat. Tim Reynolds and Ray Flanagan & the Authorities concert, 8 p.m., Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleve. Hts. $20-$23 at grogshop.gs.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Greater Cleveland Film Commission presents “Behind the Camera with HBO,” 6-11 p.m., First Energy Stadium, 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleve. For more info, visit clevelandfilm.com/events.

Cliff Habian piano concert and book signing, 2-3 p.m., Beachwood Community Center, 25225 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. Free and open to the public.

Ballet Hispanico performance, 7:30 p.m., Ohio Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleve. $25$45 at 216-241-6000 or playhousesquare.org.

Twin-bill performances of “Above and Beyond” by Faye Sholiton and “The Silence of Dr. and Mrs. Caligari” by Robert Hawkes, 2:30 p.m., Creative Space at Waterloo Arts, 397 E. 156th St., Cleve. $12-$18 at playwrightslocal.org or call 216-302-8856. Thru Nov. 18.

How To Submit

Calendar listings appearing in The Arts should be submitted at least 14 days prior to publication date. Send to calendar@cjn.org. Questions? Contact Bob Jacob, managing editor, at 216-342-5207 or bjacob@cjn.org.

Johnny A. concert, 7 p.m., Nighttown, 12383 Cedar Rd., Cleve. $25 at nighttowncleveland.com.

“Les Miserables” theatrical performance, 1 and 6:30 p.m., Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleve. Tickets at playhousesquare.org or 216-241-6000. Thru Nov. 18.

“The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy” performance, 3 p.m., Aurora Community Theatre, 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora. Tickets at auroracommunitytheatre. com or 330-562-1818. Thru Nov. 17.

Reading and book signing with Cathryn Siegal-Bergman, translator and publisher of “Going Back,” 7 p.m., Oheb ZedekCedar Sinai Synagogue, 23749 Cedar Rd., Beachwood. Free and open to the community. For more info, call 216-382-6566 or office@iz-cedarsinai.org.

Cliff Habian concert, 2-3 p.m., Beachwood Community Center, 25225 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. Free and open to community. For more info, call 216-595-3400 or visit beachwoodartscouncil.org.

“Mosaics” dance performance, 2:30 p.m., Mather Dance Center, 11040 Bellflower Rd., Cleve. $15, $10 adults 60+ and CWRU faculty/staff, $7 students with ID. For more info, visit dance.cwru.edu/reservations.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” theatrical performance, 3 p.m., Eldred Theatre, 2070 Adelbert Rd., Cleve. $10, $7 adults 60+ and CWRU faculty/staff, $5 students with ID. For more info, visit theatre.case.edu.

CWRU Symphonic Winds and Percussion Ensemble performance, 3 p.m., Maltz Performing Arts Center’s Silver Hall, 1855 Ansel Rd., Cleve. For more info, visit music.cwru.edu.

“A Day of Absence” performance, 3 p.m., Arena Theatre, 2355 E. 89 St., Cleve. $25-$40 at 216-795-7077 or karamuhouse.org. Thru Nov. 18.

Cute is What We Aim For, Makeout, Minshara and Brightside concert, 7 p.m., Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleve. Hts. $16-$18 at grogshop.gs.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Apollo’s Fire’s Baroque Orchestra “O Jerusalem! Crossroads of Three Faiths” concert, 7:30 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleve. Hts. Tickets at apollosfire.org or 216-320-0012.

Case/University Circle Symphony Orchestra performance, 7:30 p.m., Maltz Performing Arts Center’s Silver Hall, 1855 Ansel Rd., Cleve. For more info, visit music.cwru.edu.

The Roast of Ronnie Radke concert, 8 p.m., Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleve. Hts. $20 at grogshop.gs.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Aubrey Logan concert, 7 p.m., Nighttown, 12383 Cedar Rd., Cleve. $20 at nighttowncleveland.com.

“Les Miserables” theatrical performance, 7:30 p.m., Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave.,