Sheldon Harnick (1928-2010) was a Broadway lyricist best known for his collaborations with composer Jerry Bock, including the blockbuster musicals “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Fiorello!” On June 23, 2023, he dἰed at the age of 99 in his residence in New York City.
“Fiddler on the Roof” was one of the most influential plays for me, when it comes to plays. It’s heartbreaking to hear of Sheldon Harnick’s pἀssing. Sunrise and Sunset, RIP Sheldon Harnick, who joined forces with Jerry Bock to form one of the greatest songwriting partnerships in Broadway history, and who wrote such classics as She Loves Me and Fiddler on the Roof, has pἀssed away. The lyrics to the musicals She Loves Me and Fiddler on the Roof were written by Bock and Harnick.
Sheldon Harnick’s Life and Remarkable Legacy
Early in his career, Harnick wrote the music and the lyrics, but he soon established a reliable working relationship with Bock as the composer. Together, they created hit musicals that won accolades. Their debut, “The Body Beautiful,” from 1958, did not perform well but attracted the correct attention.
In 1959’s “Fiorello,” directed by George Abbott (1887-1995) and produced by Hal Prince (1928-2019), Harnick and Bock were hired to write the music. The successful musical, which focused on powerful New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, brought Harnick and Bock both a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize.
Following the triumph of “Fiorello!” the team released “Tenderloin” and “She Loves Me,” the latter of which had a mediocre opening but later became a cult favorite. Their most well-known and enduring hit followed. The lead character Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” was originally played by Zero Mostel (1915–1977) and afterward by Topol (1935–2023).
It produced several songs that became standards, such as “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” bringing Harnick and Bock two more Tony Awards. For ten years, “Grease” held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical before it was overtaken.
After “Fiddler on the Roof,” Harnick and Bock only collaborated on a few future musicals due to a disagreement over one of their final productions, “The Rothschilds.” Working with composers like Mary Rodgers (1931-2014), Michel Legrand (1932-2019), and Richard Rodgers (1902-1979), Harnick continued to pen lyrics. His subsequent works include “A Wonderful Life,” a stage version of the beloved movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and an operatic adaptation of the young-adult novel “The Phantom Tollbooth.”
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Many People Have Paid Tributes to Sheldon Harnick
Sheldon Harnick & Jerry Bock perform Fiddler's original opening number "We've Never Missed A Sabbath Yet" & discuss its evolution into "Tradition" – I love this video (& I love this original song which you can find on the album Sheldon Harnick: Hidden Treasures (1949-2013) pic.twitter.com/cqiUiRb7oO
— Carol Channing Tatum O'Neal (@jake_loew_) June 23, 2023
https://twitter.com/BCDreyer/status/1672240283549876224
Hands down one of the greatest lyricists of our time, Sheldon Harnick, has passed away at age 99.
Fiddler is a masterpiece, She Loves Me is iconic, and The Apple Tree doesn't get nearly the recognition it deserves. What a career.
May his memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/EzWjwzS8Ji
— OnStage Blog (@OnstageBlog) June 23, 2023
Sheldon Harnick was one of the all-time great musical theatre lyricists: Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello!, & She Loves Me are three of my absolute favorites. And by all accounts a wonderful person. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/3PDNhRaleM
— Cinco Paul (@cincopedia) June 23, 2023
"Is this the little girl I carried
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older
When did they?"
Sheldon Harnick, RIP and thanks.https://t.co/ookKMSKBMQ via @YouTube— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) June 23, 2023
Darn it, Just heard about Sheldon Harnick's passing at 99. Met him doing Fiddler on Broadway in the 2nd revival. Sheldon was one of the nicest and most talented people ever to work in musical theatre. Genius lyricist. Gentle soul. Rest gently Sheldon. #Sheldonharnick #Fiddler pic.twitter.com/fpQ0ORwpb5
— Lawrence Leritz (@LawrenceLeritz) June 23, 2023
RIP to Sheldon Harnick, to whom I was elated to award a lifetime Drama Desk for an absurdly brilliant career in musicals #SheldonHarnick
— Doug Strassler (@DougDawg13) June 23, 2023
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