“The Rothschilds,” a historical musical by Jewish songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, is currently being performed at Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs through Oct. 16.

The musical chronicles the story of Jewish banker Mayer Rothschild, who built his fortune and fame throughout Europe in banking with his five sons. Mayer’s beginnings were humble as a coin dealer and shopkeeper in the restrictive Jewish ghetto of Frankfurt, Germany during the 18th century.

Using lots of chutzpah (translated from Hebrew as “boldness”) Mayer uses his street smarts to negotiate financial transactions with leading political figures in Europe to improve life for himself, his family and for Jewish communities in Europe, most whom lived in restrictive ghettos.

Jewish actor Matthew William Chizever stars as Mayer, who drives the story and orchestrates the many dealings of his sons, who Mayer sent to negotiate financial terms and contracts with heads of states throughout Europe in building his empire through the 19th century.

“Mayer is a strong, street smart character who loves his sons and cares about not only his financial lot, but of more rights for Jews in Europe. It is an honor to play him,” said Chizever.

“Chizever is a dynamic leading man, a riveting leading actor-singer whose moving performance is the finest element of ‘The Rothschilds’,” wrote theater critic Christine Dolen in “SouthFlorida.com”.

Chizever sings seven of the 18 songs in the production, including the popular “In My Own Lifetime,” an ode to Mayer’s wishes for his sons and future generations of Rothschilds.

The song was prophetic, as the Rothschild banking empire in Europe continued well into contemporary times in Europe.

“I loved ‘The Rothschilds’ as it was not only an entertaining musical, but also a rich history lesson. I now want to learn more about the history of the Rothschild family after seeing this musical,” said Eileen Adler, who saw the Stage Door production on opening night.

“The Rothschilds” was the follow up Jewish-themed musical by Bock and Harnick, after they had both artistic and commercial success with their musical “Fiddler on the Roof.”

“The Rothschilds” debuted on Broadway in 1970 and ran for close to two years, earning a 1971 Tony Award for actor Hal Linden, who portrayed Mayer. The musical also marked the last collaboration of Bock and Harnick, who also wrote the musicals “Fiorello,” “She Loves Me” and “The Apple Tree,” among others.

The 92-year-old Harnick, who last June won a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theater, wrote the lyrics to Bock’s music and loves that Stage Door Theatre is reviving “The Rothschilds.”

“It was a treat to know, that after all these years, ‘The Rothschilds’ is still popular and having a long run in South Florida. Many people don’t know that I continue to still write songs and revised ‘The Rothschilds’ as a shorter one act musical titled ‘Rothschild & Sons’ staged off-Broadway in 2015,” said Harnick in a phone conversation from his Manhattan home.

Harnick is also aware that there are similarities and differences in his lead characters of “Tevye” (in “Fiddler On The Roof”) and Mayer in “The Rothschilds.”

“Both Mayer and Tevye love their children, although Mayer did favor his sons as his path to financial success. Tevye also looked to Judaism and the Jewish way of life as his answer to all the bad and good fortunes of his life. Mayer, although also a proud Jew, tries to break free of the Jewish ghetto to find his success,” said Harnick.

Harnick was born in Chicago and began his career writing musicals following his army service in World War II. He met songwriter Jerry Bock in 1956 and wrote their most successful Broadway musicals “Fiorello,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “She Loves Me” and “The Rothschilds” in the 1960s.

“We had a professional disagreement to end our partnership, but we eventually became friends again and working with Jerry was the best thing that happened in my life,” said Harnick.

Both Bock and Harnick never achieved the high level of commercial success on Broadway following the end of their partnership. Jerry Bock died in 2010.

Harnick has been married for 51 years to actress Margery Gray, who starred in “Fiorello” and now paints watercolors. They have two children.

For tickets at Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road in Coral Springs, call 954-344-7765 or go to