--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I went into 'Fiddler,' I wondered…" description: "\"When I went into 'Fiddler,' I wondered about the response I'd get - the backlash because I'm openly gay. There was none. I toured Canada and America, a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/463/harvey-fierstein-7875_actors_when-i-went-into-fiddler-i-wondered-abou_2806016.jpg" --- # When I went into 'Fiddler,' I wondered about the response… ![“When I went into 'Fiddler,' I wondered about the response I'd get - the backlash because I'm openly gay. There was none. I toured Canada and America, and not one single review suggested that I played the role gay or that I seemed anything but Tevye.” quote by Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/463/harvey-fierstein-7875_actors_when-i-went-into-fiddler-i-wondered-abou_2806016.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/463/harvey-fierstein-7875_actors_when-i-went-into-fiddler-i-wondered-abou_2806016.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/463/harvey-fierstein-7875_actors_when-i-went-into-fiddler-i-wondered-abou_2806016.jpg) > “When I went into 'Fiddler,' I wondered about the response I'd get - the backlash because I'm openly gay. There was none. I toured Canada and America, and not one single review suggested that I played the role gay or that I seemed anything but Tevye.” [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. His gay role in Fiddler was accepted without backlash, showing audiences focus on performance over sexuality. **In simple terms:** Performance can transcend personal identity. Key Takeaway Focus on art, not labels. Themes acceptance performance identity Mood optimistic reflective Type theatrical social When to use this quote - stage productions - touring - media reviews Key Concepts cultural perception theatre dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What made the audience accept? - How to prepare for potential bias? A Different Perspective Not all venues may be as accepting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Canada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) ## Related quotes > [“A song went around from fiddler to fiddler and each one added something and took something away so that in time the song became…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-frazier/a-song-went-around-from-fiddler-to-fiddler-and-each-one-added/) [Charles Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-frazier/) > [But when I did think about it and looked at the whole package - the producers behind the show, the writers, the cast I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-hayes/but-when-i-did-think-about-it-and-looked-at-the-whole-package-the/) [Sean Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-hayes/) > [Obviously, gay projects play a special role for me because I am gay, so I'm doubly proud of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-groff/obviously-gay-projects-play-a-special-role-for-me-because-i-am-gay-so/) [Jonathan Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-groff/) > [The 'Family Ties' role was the first of many gay roles that I've ended up playing. I remember that I made them laugh, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-azaria/the-family-ties-role-was-the-first-of-many-gay-roles-that-i-ve-ended/) [Hank Azaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-azaria/) > [I've never been turned down for a role because I'm gay. I'm a character actor, and that's probably why. I don't find Hollywood, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lynch/i-ve-never-been-turned-down-for-a-role-because-i-m-gay-i-m-a/) [Jane Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lynch/) > [In a fiddler's house all are dancers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverb/in-a-fiddler-s-house-all-are-dancers/) Proverb > [I've spent hours and hours doing research into Appalachian folk music. My grandfather was a fiddler. There is something very immediate, very simple and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/i-ve-spent-hours-and-hours-doing-research-into-appalachian-folk-music/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [This is a book for every fiddler who has realized halfway through playing an ancient Scottish air that the Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/this-is-a-book-for-every-fiddler-who-has-realized-halfway-through/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“He lifted up another card and set it down before him. 'Priest of Life, hah, now that's a good one. Game's done.' 'Who wins?'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/he-lifted-up-another-card-and-set-it-down-before-him-priest-of-life/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [I remember so vividly the first time I saw one of Marshall Wyatt's superb compilations called 'Folks He Sure Do Pull Some Bow' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/i-remember-so-vividly-the-first-time-i-saw-one-of-marshall-wyatt-s/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [I consider myself more of a rock 'n' roll fiddler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-shires/i-consider-myself-more-of-a-rock-n-roll-fiddler/) [Amanda Shires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-shires/) > [You know, if you really want to fiddle the old-time way, you've got to learn the dance. The contra-dances, hoedowns. It's all in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-krauss/you-know-if-you-really-want-to-fiddle-the-old-time-way-you-ve-got-to/) [Alison Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-krauss/) > [A writer of story books! What kind of business in life-what mode of glorifying God, or being serviceable to mankind in his day and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/a-writer-of-story-books-what-kind-of-business-in-life-what-mode-of/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But here, in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-harnick/a-fiddler-on-the-roof-sounds-crazy-no-but-here-in-our-little-village/) [Sheldon Harnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-harnick/) > [I was really excited to have the opportunity to make Fiddler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-jewison/i-was-really-excited-to-have-the-opportunity-to-make-fiddler/) [Norman Jewison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-jewison/) ## More by Harvey Fierstein > [I am thrilled - I can't stress that enough - thrilled when I see kids getting active.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/i-am-thrilled-i-can-t-stress-that-enough-thrilled-when-i-see-kids/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [I often say that if you want to really want to understand the contract of marriage, just ask anyone who has been divorced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/i-often-say-that-if-you-want-to-really-want-to-understand-the/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [Always admit when you're wrong. You'll save thousands in therapy... and a few friendships too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/always-admit-when-you-re-wrong-you-ll-save-thousands-in-therapy-and-a/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [So, did I work with Warhol? I worked with him less on that play then I did on other things. He actually did a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/so-did-i-work-with-warhol-i-worked-with-him-less-on-that-play-then-i/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [I got the regular call, that they were doing a Broadway musical of Hairspray, and would I come and audition. I was familiar with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/i-got-the-regular-call-that-they-were-doing-a-broadway-musical-of/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [Is a gay play a play that has sex with other plays?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/is-a-gay-play-a-play-that-has-sex-with-other-plays/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [There are easier things in life than being a drag queen. But I ain't got no choice. Try as I may, I just can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/there-are-easier-things-in-life-than-being-a-drag-queen-but-i-ain-t/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [A thing of beauty is a joy till sunrise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-till-sunrise/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [You may feel powerless as a child, but the world will one day be yours. And you're responsible for it. So, seize the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/you-may-feel-powerless-as-a-child-but-the-world-will-one-day-be-yours/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [The world is full of more interesting things than my voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/the-world-is-full-of-more-interesting-things-than-my-voice/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [I really am a theater person. That means you put something out there, and you let it go. Tomorrow night is a new performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/i-really-am-a-theater-person-that-means-you-put-something-out-there/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [Actually, I think the average voice is like 70 percent tone and 30 percent noise. My voice is 95 percent noise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/actually-i-think-the-average-voice-is-like-70-percent-tone-and-30/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [While we dance in the streets and pat ourselves on the back for being a nation great enough to reach beyond racial divides to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/while-we-dance-in-the-streets-and-pat-ourselves-on-the-back-for-being/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [My father was brought up in an orphanage in the Catskills. He was a factory worker. And because his family wasn't there for him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/my-father-was-brought-up-in-an-orphanage-in-the-catskills-he-was-a/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [How time flies when you're doin all the talking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/how-time-flies-when-you-re-doin-all-the-talking/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) [Explore all 86 Harvey Fierstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) ## More Actors quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. 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And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/) [Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/) > [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. 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