To Another Theater

In Memory of Joseph Stein (May 30, 1912 - October 24, 2010) and Jerry Bock (November 23, 1928 - November 3, 2010)

On October 24, 2010, Joseph Stein, an American Playwright departed from the Great White Way. Best known for Fiddler on The Roof and Zorba, Mr. Stein was born in New York City on May 30, 1912, fifteen years before Mehron Melik founded Mehron Makeup off Broadway in the same city. Joseph Stein first wrote a book with the intention of it becoming a Broadway Play at the behest of Richard Kollmar, husband of Columnist and What's My Line? panelist Dorothy Kilgallen, about Pennsylvania ala Oklahoma by Rodgers and Hammerstein, to promote the State. With writing partner Will Glickman, Mr. Stein returned to New York to write Plain and Fancy, about the Pennsylvania Dutch. Plain and Fancy opened on Broadway in 1955 and had a run of 461 performances. Although short lived on Broadway, Plain and Fancy has been performed over 3000 times for an annual production of Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana, USA.

Pointed to as his Masterpiece, Fiddler on the Roof won Joseph Stein two Tony Awards. Performed by over 25,000 Theather Production Companies around the world, Fiddler on the Roof is considered the most successful Musical Theatrical Production of all time. Working with Sheldon Harrnick, Jerry Bock (Jerrold Lewis "Jerry" Boch) composed the songs and lyrics for Fiddler on The Roof and appeared as a speaker at the funeral services for Joseph Stein.

Ten days after the death of Joseph Stein, on November 3, 2010, Jerry Bock also departed the Great White Way. Born on November 23, 1928 in New Haven Connecticut, a year after Mehron Makeup was founded, Mr. Bock was raised in New York. Mr. Bock, working in conjunction with Sheldon Harrnick, was responsible for a number of Broadway Musicals including the acclaimed Fiorello, based on the life of former New York City Mayor, Fiorello La Guardia. Mr. Bock was the recipient of two Tony Awards during his illustrious career.

Together, Joseph Stein and Jerry Bock gave Broadway some of its biggest hits. Their work will continue to live on even though they have left the footlights of Broadway for the stars above. Both hailed from New York City, had a passion for the theater, contributed to the life and soul of Broadway and will have the echos of their words heard as long as Broadway lives.

Mehron Makeup offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of two of the bright stars of Broadway on their passing, Mr. Joseph Stein (May 30, 1912 - October 24, 2010) and Mr. Jerrold Lewis "Jerry" Bock (November 23, 1928 - November 3, 2010).