Dudu Fisher:
Something Old, Something New – Something Asewome

BY CHERYL KUPFER

Within seconds of Dudu’s appearance on stage. we feel as if we are visiting mtshpacha (family) How else should one feel when one is privy to watching Dudu wake up in his “hotel room” on stage, hear him warm up his voice, and recite a ritual prayer?
But that welcoming scene sets the atmosphere for the entire performance, as the very warm and upfront Dudu talks about his love and respect for his wife, shows the audience photos of his son’s recent wedding — and reveals the special gift be gave to his son — the melding of his melochmis voice with a recording made by his then-11 year- old-son who played the character of Gavroche in the critically acclanned lies Miserables Dudu shares himself with the audience even fUrther when he sings with genuine raw emotion the classic song, “Bring Him Home” from the same musical
Dudu made this song with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics his own when he portrayed the charactar of Jean Vabean in Les Miserables - a role Dudia played brilliantly on Broadway, London’s West End, and in Israel Dudu explains that as the father of two sons who served in the Israeli Defense Forces — now his daughter is doing her military service — the song’s entreaty to G-d to bring a beloved child safely home reflects his constant worry and anxiety Since the events of 9-11, he says, the song’s plea of a safe return is universal and applicable to anybody who walks out the door
As I write this, my youngest son is on his way to Israel just hours after a bus full of students was blown up in Jerusalem, and Dudu’s passionate rendition of” Bring Him Home” resonates in my soul.
When the audience was not being treated to Dudu’s magnificent, multi-ranged voice, they were being enter-tamed by his wry sense of humor and antics on stage, such as imitating a motley crew of chazzantm audition ing for the High Holy Days and tap dancing for a couple of minutes and announcing - breathlessly - that the “dancing portion” of the show was over. And of course, there is the matter of his nickname, bestowed upon him by his grandmother, one that is not unfamiliar to Israelis but a bit problematic for Americans. He recalled that during an interview, his wife was asked about her feelings on his name now that her husband was going to be performing on Broadway. Her answer — she had Dudu
— now America would have “Dudu” also.
Dudu’s love for singing was evident from the incredible diversity of the songs he performed. They ranged from the cantorial Kaddish by Yossi Green; to Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Throw Away Your Television (very appropriate for an Orthodox cantor to sing); the mellow “golden oldie” When You Were Sweet Sixteen by James Thorton; to “YentPs emotional “Papa, Can you Hear Me?” by Michel Le Grand and Marilyn and Allan Bergman. If you closed your eyes when Dudu sang “It~s Easy For You,” a song written for Elvis Presley by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice that he recorded just shortly before he died —you woiMd have thought Elvis was in the building. Oud’s imitation of Elvis’s voice and style were dead on.
If that range of musical styles wasn’t enough, Dudu treated his audience with various hit songs from numerous old classic to current Broadway productions such as My Fair Lady, Rent, Cabaret, and Oklahoma. After receiving a well-deserved standing ovation, Dudu gifted the audience with a song that is part of a musical in production.
Something Old — Something New — conceived by Dudu Fisher and Richard Jay Alexander, who is also the director — will play at the Mazer Theatre on East Broadway till Dec. 8th. For a Chanukah treat that will enthrall you, one that will earn you the undying gratitude of those you bring along, come over to Dudu’s “hot& room” as he graciously practices “hachncisczt orchim” and makes you his welcome “guests.”

THE JEWISH PRESS, November 29, 2002