Perlman returns as ‘Fiddler’

By Shari Goldstein Stern

The name Randy Pearlman rolls off the tongue of many live theater patrons throughout the Dallas area. As Emporio Ivankov, Pearlman has anime fans galore, and his name is second nature to anime producers, particularly at Crunchyroll (formerly Funimation), for his collection of voice-over projects. 

The Dallas native is often known as Tevya, as he will be again June 12 through 21 in Garland Summer Musicals’ (GSM) production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” (Fiddler). 

Just learning about Pearlman’s trades and avocational commitments is exhausting. The industrious actor’s credits include theaters such as Uptown Players, WaterTower Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Stage West and Circle Theatre. He also performs at Lyric Stage, Dallas Children’s Theater, Theatre Three and Theatre Too. 

His talent has been recognized repeatedly throughout the years, with multiple Column Awards, Critics Forum Awards and nominations for Leon Rabin Awards. One of his proudest Column Awards was for the role of Max Bialystock in GSM’s “The Producers.”

This will be Pearlman’s third stint as the persecuted milkman Tevya, who dons the Talit (prayer shawl) for GSM again as the devoutly religious Jewish father just trying to make a good life for his wife and children. 

Also returning to the cast for the third time are Neil Rogers as Lazer Wolf, Linda Frank as Grandmother Tzeitel and Ivan Jones, reprising his role as Avram. Having spent a lifetime as an active member of White Rock Methodist Church down the road, Steven Beene is thrilled to reprise his role as the Town of Anetevka’s beloved Rabbi in this, his third “Fiddler” production. Beene performs his 35th season with GSM this summer, after announcing his retirement two, three, maybe four times earlier. This will be Beene’s 60th GSM production. 

According to Pearlman, “I always enjoy coming back to Garland Summer Musicals with Patty [Granville].” Granville is GSM’s Executive Producer and namesake of Garland’s Granville Arts Center. She will direct and star as Dolly Levi herself in GSM’s “Hello, Dolly,” July 17 through 26. 

He added that, aside from the national tours that come through town, GSM produces some of the biggest musical theater performances in the DFW area, and it is always rewarding to be part of them. 

The actor paused to reminisce about his start with GSM 26 years ago, when Buff Shurr and Scott Eckert brought him in for his first production in “Anything Goes.” He said, “As I rehearse the current production, the halls echo with memories of Buff’s wonderful spirit.” The former Broadway director, Shurr amassed many Texas fans while directing GSM from 1983 to 2019. He passed away in 2024. He had been a central figure in GSM’s family and fans for four decades and remains central in the theater’s collective memory.

Pearlman added: “Coming back to play Tevye after 10 years has been a special experience. When I first played him, I was focused on learning the role and figuring out who this larger-than-life character was. Now, 10 years later, I find myself connecting with him in a much deeper way.”

According to the experienced artist: “One of the things I love most about ‘Fiddler’ is how timeless it feels. Even though the story takes place in a vastly different time and place, the themes of family, tradition and change are things we all understand. Getting the chance to revisit Tevye after 10 years feels a little like catching up with an old friend, except now we both have a few more stories to tell.”

Audiences have also enjoyed Pearlman in other GSM productions throughout the years, some including “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying,” “The Producers,” and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.”

Pearlman has also built a voice acting career in anime. While best known for Emporio Ivankov in “One Piece,” he does voice-over work as Markus Mars, one of the Five Elders. “Mars’ recent transformation into the monstrous Itsumade form gave me the opportunity to create a completely different vocal performance,” he explained. While naming dozens of roles he has voiced for anime series, like Mr. Jaeger in “Attack on Titan” and Obni in “Dragon Ball Super,” you can detect this actor’s passion for the unique art form of anime. “One of the things I enjoy most about anime voice acting is the incredible range of characters and worlds I get to explore, from larger-than-life villains and heroes to grounded, dramatic roles. The fun of it all is that I never know what I get to do for the characters until I am in the booth with the directors.”

In the event he runs out of things to do, Pearlman has worked part-time for 14 years with Dallas Children’s Theater in a variety of roles, both on stage and in the office. According to the energetic Pearlman: “I have other things I do that fill my color-coded calendar. I have been a Cantorial Soloist for Temple Emanu-El for the last 30 years, and I have been the High Holy Day Cantorial Soloist at Adat Chavarim for the past 11 years.”

“Fiddler on the Roof” opens June 12. For additional information and tickets, visit garlandsummermusicals.org.