Theodore Bikel
isn’t the retiring kind

By Rita Charleston
For the Times

He stands by an old German proverb that translates to "He who rests, rusts."
And that, said world-renowned singer, actor and activist Theodore Bikel, is a motto he wholeheartedly lives by.
The Vienna-born Bikel has been in show business for more than 50 years and insists he has no plans or desire to retire.
"My work is what keeps me alive, interested, curious about the world around me," he said. "This is what I do, so why should I ever consider stopping? Luckily, in my line of work, as long as the faculties don’t give out you can keep on going. I don’t do that much dancing these days on stage, but I could in the event I had to."
And on Monday, Dec. 3, Bikel will raise his voice in song once again. Accompanied by Tamara Brooks, Bikel will perform at a fund-raiser for Theatre Ariel, honoring Adena Potok, vice president of the Theatre’s board. The concert takes place at The Haverford School’s Centennial Hall, 450 Lancaster Ave.
Leaving war-torn Europe in the 1930s and immigrating to Palestine, Bikel supported himself with his music, and also acted with Tel Aviv’s Habimah Theatre. A quick study in several languages, Bikel honed his acting skills with Britain’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
"I was thirteen when my family and I managed to escape six months after the Nazis invaded Austria," Bikel remembered. "And today, no matter what I do, I can never forget the horror…or the need to speak up whenever and wherever I see injustices. Nothing precludes me from being political, a thinking human being who can speak out. I have not checked my citizenship at the door when I walk into a theater. One fine day, problems may come knocking at your door and you’ll ask yourself why you never spoke up. Of course, by then it will be too late."
When not watching out for others, Bikel began making films. His first was playing a German naval officer in 1951’s The African Queen. Later, in 1958, he was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in The Defiant Ones.
One year later, he co-starred with Mary Martin on Broadway, originating the role of Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. And there have been many, many other roles. But to date, he admitted that his favorite role was that of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, a role he’s played more than 2,000 times in the past 37 years.
Over the years, no matter what roles he takes on, he remains an activist in the civil rights movement and the Free Soviet Jewry movement, continuing to fight for what he believes in, promising himself he would never be in the position of those "well meaning people" who talk but never do anything.
Throughout his career, the 83-year-old Bikel has felt a particular responsibility to Jewish life and to the Jewish community as evidenced by the performances and recordings of Jewish music and by his leading role within the Foundation of Jewish Culture.
He also served as vice president and president of the Actors Equity Union for 17 years.
"We all have certain talents and can put them into the service of ourselves and/or the rights of others," he said. "I never forgot what Pablo Cassals once said: ‘My cello is my weapon. I choose what I play, where I play and for whom I play.’"
While his life has been filled with excitement — both good and bad — Bikel said he seldom looks back, unless there is a reason to do so.
"If you dwell on the low points in your life you become morose, and then you don’t do what needs to be done," he said. "The only reason to look back, in my opinion, is to give men a notion of where they were and possibly give them a little push to know where they’re going now." ••
Tickets may be purchases by calling 610-667-9230.