I just realized that a Bock-Harnick Quadfecta has been completed, so Sheldon Harnick can feel safe. First, on October 20th, we lost Tom Bosley, star of the first Bock/Harnick hit, Fiorello!. Next, on October 27th, came Joseph Stein, the book writer for perhaps their best known hit, Fiddler on the Roof. Then, earlier this week on November 3rd came the news of the death of Jerry Bock, the composer of these shows, as well as She Loves Me, Tenderloin, The Apple Tree, 1040, and the first musical I ever saw, The Rothschilds. Lastly, this morning’s news brings word of the death of Jill Clayburgh, who most know for film, but who I always think of as the original Hannah in The Rothschilds (although she also had a starring role in the original cast of Pippin).
I thank them for all their contributions, and condolences to their families, who may rest easy in the fact that these talented individuals gave us something that will live on.
