Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Noted film actor (The Defiant Ones), Broadway star (The Sound of Music) and folksinger Bikel documents his life, beginning in 1938, when he escaped with his family at age 13 from German-occupied Austria. He recalls his early days in the Hebrew Theatre in Palestine, his training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and his move to the U.S., where he continued his acting career and became intimately involved with folk music. Extremely versatile, he has performed in the theater, in films, on radio, on TV and in other venues. Bikel has led an active political life as well, and his narrative is interspersed with comments on his work for Democratic Party causes, the National Council on the Arts, the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement of the 1960s and on behalf of Soviet Jewry and other Jewish causes. Pride in accomplishment is understandable, but it's no excuse for an autobiography that is too long and at times tedious. Photos not seen by PW. Jewish Book Club alternate. (Oct.)
Theo: An Autobiography
by Theodore BikelThis is a reprint of award-winning screen and stage actor, singer, and social activist Theodore Bikel's autobiography originally published in 1994, appearing here in paperback form. In a new postscript to the paperback edition, Bikel examines and critiques recent events in the Middle East. Illustrated with 16 pages of b&w photographs. Annotation c. Book News,… See more details below
Overview
This is a reprint of award-winning screen and stage actor, singer, and social activist Theodore Bikel's autobiography originally published in 1994, appearing here in paperback form. In a new postscript to the paperback edition, Bikel examines and critiques recent events in the Middle East. Illustrated with 16 pages of b&w photographs. Annotation c. Book News, Inc.,Portland, OR
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
"A compelling life, taking Bikel from pre-World War II Eastern Europe to an acting career in Israel; emigration to England after the war, training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and initial success in British theater and film; a leap to the Broadway stage and stardom in The Sound of Music; productive years as a Hollywood character actor; a new career as a folksinger in the late1950s; then several decades of activism, as president of Actors’ Equity and a prominent figure in the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements."—Kirkus Reviews
"An engaging, well-written memoir . . . full of theater stories about playing Mitch opposite Vivien Leigh’s Blanche in the London production of A Streetcar Named Desire, playing Baron von Trapp opposite Mary Martin’s Maria in The Sound of Music, and of course his many performances as Tevye [in Fiddler on the Roof.]"—Oakland Tribune
"Bikel has been an articulate spokesman against oppression, dictatorship, inhumanity, war."—Boston Globe
Product Details
- ISBN-13:
- 9780299300548
- Publisher:
- University of Wisconsin Press
- Publication date:
- 05/01/2014
- Edition description:
- 1, With reflections upon my ninetieth year
- Pages:
- 468
- Sales rank:
- 518,752
- Product dimensions:
- 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)
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