Sheldon Harnick, the Tony Award-winning lyricist and creator of the iconic musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, passed away on July 26, 2021, at the age of 99. Harnick was a prolific songwriter and lyricist, known for his ability to craft witty and poignant lyrics that captured the essence of the human experience.
Born in Chicago in 1924, Harnick began his career in the 1950s as a lyricist for musicals and revues. He quickly gained a reputation for his clever wordplay and ability to create memorable melodies that stayed with audiences long after the show had ended. In 1957, he teamed up with composer Jerry Bock to create the musical ‘The Body Beautiful’, which was followed by a string of successful collaborations, including ‘Fiorello!’ (1959), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and ‘She Loves Me’ (1963).
However, it was Harnick’s work on ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (1964) that cemented his place in musical theater history. Based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem, the musical tells the story of Tevye, a poor milkman in a small Jewish village in Russia, and his struggles to maintain his traditions and faith in the face of changing times. Harnick’s lyrics for songs like “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” and “Sunrise, Sunset” captured the heart and soul of the story, and helped make ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ one of the most beloved musicals of all time.
Over the course of his career, Harnick received numerous accolades for his work, including three Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and a Grammy Award. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
In addition to his work in musical theater, Harnick was also a passionate advocate for the arts. He served as president of the Dramatists Guild from 1970 to 1981, and was a founding member of the New York Council on the Arts. He also taught at several universities, including Northwestern University and the University of Southern California.
Harnick’s passing is a great loss to the world of musical theater, but his legacy will live on through his timeless songs and the countless productions of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ that continue to inspire and entertain audiences around the world. As Harnick himself once said, “Theater is a way of life. It’s not just a profession, it’s a passion.” And that passion is something that he shared with audiences and fellow artists alike, leaving an indelible mark on the world of musical theater that will never be forgotten.
