An everyman’s journey from Starsky to Tevye
that his wife was facing a terminal prognosis, they saw “mortality counsellors”.
He reflects that, “the only key fear is helplessness in the face of our mortality. I can choose to celebrate my courage in the face of helplessness and have compassion in my fear, compassion for myself and my sadness. It became something I could practise so, when I was having a difficult time, I could put my hands together and be thankful for this opportunity to remind myself of my connection to my spiritual existence.”
Elisabeth was Jewish — as is ex-wife, producer Tracy Barone, with whom he had Zoe. But barmitzvah giftgiving aside, his children have no real involvement in Judaism.
“I did not expose my children to a lot of Judaism because of how I felt. They haven’t shown an interest and I’m fine with that. I think there is more to life than one’s religious persuasion.”
Yet Glaser clearly has that innate affinity with Jews, who regard him as one of their own. And he has committed to do a charity event for Manchester Jewish Community Care when Fiddler plays at Salford’s Lowry Theatre.
But, among the cast, is he the only Jew in the village? “I haven’t asked if any of the others are Jewish. The script involves words on a page that have to come to life. We all have that one thing in common, making a connection with the audience.”
Paul Michael Glaser is every man’s everyman. Tevye would be proud. The Fiddler tour opens in Southampton next month and other venues include the Lowry, Salford, and London’s New Wimbledon Theatre