PHOTO BY TONY SPINA

NEDERLANDER

A family name — Nederlander — was known to Detroit audiences long
before gaining status among stage stars and fans around the country and
in England.
Spreading skills as producers as well as theater owners and manag-
ers for more than a century, the Nederlanders have been at the helm of
award-winning plays, many tried out in Detroit before gaining worldwide
acclaim. Fiddler on the Roof, Hello, Dolly! and No Strings got their start in
the Motor City under Nederlanders’ auspices and have drawn crowds in
repeat performances at their Fisher Theatre.
For Joe Nederlander (pictured in 1980), still living in Michigan,
Fiddler on the Roof tops his list of favorites, and he can recall times
with Sheldon Harnick as the lyricist refined the production while in
early Motor City tryouts.
“Deep love for the theater has been [the driving force] for the family’s
success,” said Nederlander, who just turned 90 and had the idea to bring
subscription series to ticket buyers. That initiative became a model for
other theaters across America.
Started by his father, David T. Nederlander — who bought the Fisher
Theatre and a 99-year-lease on the Detroit Opera House — and contin-
ued by five sons raised in Michigan, the organization has grown through
the work of three generations. Among their most famous venues have
been the Palace in New York and the Pantages in Los Angeles.
The family, with some attendance at Temple Beth El over the years,
reached out personally to the creators of the productions and the actors
who brought characters to the stage. They also knew the city workers
and appreciated what they did to accommodate traveling shows.
“Actors coming to Detroit for the first time have been told to read
Danny Raskin in the Jewish News,” Joe Nederlander said. “Danny would
help them decide where to eat, especially when they were new to the city.
“He was a big help to us. His column was important as we sent news-
papers in advance of bookings. A lot of people wanted to know where to
get a good corned-beef sandwich.”
The saddest and most dramatic day in Fisher Theatre history,
Nederlander recalled, had to do with drama offstage. On the day
President John Kennedy was assassinated, the team felt devastated, and
the theater went dark.
James L. Nederlander, son of the late and once-Detroiter James M.
Nederlander (memorialized at this year’s Tony Awards), serves as presi-
dent of the Nederlander Organization and works out of New York offices.

Joe Nederlander

DON WAS

Growing up in Oak Park during the 1960s, Don Was went by the last
name he had at birth, Fagenson. A bass player getting his start appearing
with bar mitzvah bands, he had his own bar mitzvah at Temple Emanu-
El.
In the 1980s, his stage name came to be known internationally after
forming the rock band Was (Not Was) with childhood friend David
Weiss and introducing hit records, such as “Walk the Dinosaur” and
“Shake Your Head.”
The ensuing years brought him acclaim as a record producer sought by
many music stars, including Bob Dylan, Randy Newman and Elton John.
He also has worked on music for movies and TV.
Was, often playing bass on recordings he produced for other music
legends, has returned to the area many times, including this year, to par-
ticipate in the annual Concert of Colors, which he helped format to cel-
ebrate the diverse ethnic and cultural groups important to Metro Detroit.
His son, drummer Tony Fagenson, extends the family music triumphs
by being part of the bands Eve 6 and the Sugi Tap and also by bringing
his talents to Michigan audiences.
In a conversation with the Jewish News in 2004, Was recalls how his
first press attention came from Danny Raskin: “I was in the third grade. I
don’t even remember what I had done that was so extraordinary. I prob-
ably won a race on the swim team or something. But I do remember that
I was ‘It’ for that week.”
This year, his core interests have focused on running Blue Note
Records, producing a timely Rolling Stones album and playing bass for
The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary Concert.

Don Was

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