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Updated: 01/02/08 I always loved
and will love your songs and movies! You are #1 *** Dear Mike, I saw you in Jolson the
Musical 3 times (Sacramento, Chicago and Pasadena). You were fantastic. I am a
true Jolson fan and you were the only one who has ever done him justice. Your
energy and voice were truly amazing. I have never forgotten those performances.
My husband and I live in the LA area but were unaware "Lansky" was playing at
the Odyssey. What is the best way to keep updated on when you are in this area?
Once again, I thank you for your outstanding tribute to Jolson. You are
terrific! dear mike I saw you when "Jolson" played Tampa,
Florida a few years ago. I was
Dear Maik,
fainally after all this years I
find the courage to write you.I think I wait too much but here we go...
well, nice to meet you,my name
is Sagi (I'm a girl! my name can confound,I know...) and I'm 28 and
I'm from Israel.I grow up on
your films as both of my
parents loved you and I love you're accent and
voice and specialy,if i can
say, your blue dreamy eye's ^_^ (I'm sorry but I think that in my "early"
years I had a secret crush on
you...)
I must say that it's funy for
me to write my first admired celeb' ...I was follow your sucssess (more or
less) during the years.I
always dream to meet you in persone and say thank you for make me so much
joy during all this years,i
hope you don't see it too "weird" but your movies help me to decide so much
about how my life will be and
what I want to do.my bigest decision was that when I will have kid's they
will grow on your filmes as I.
I just saw your movie "koni
lemel in Cairo" and I enjoy it like in the first time I saw it (I was very
young)
but still you make so many
people happy then and even now and I really want to say just - thank you...
trully big happy thank you,
thank you for being part of my life and thank you for doing this movies and
just thank you for reading this
latter when you have so much to do... Thank You.
I don't know really if you
visit Israel some times or if you have the time to perform here but I do
hope
that I will have the chance to
see you here in Israel because I don't think I will visit USA any soon but I
still can dream about
that...maybe 1 day who knows?
So for conclusion,I want to say
sorry for the long email I hope it will make you smile as he make me
and sorry for my bad english I
hope you understand me. I wish you all the best and good in life and
don't forget that... you are
really the best.
Take Care,
Your fan,
Sagi.D.
***
Hello mike
.. We just spent the evening enjoying your
wonderful performance for the Cleveland Jewish Community Federation Silver Circle.
Everyone I spoke to thought that you were great!
Dear Mr. Burstyn, ***
Hi Mike!
Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed your performance! A couple of times we closed our eyes and just listened - you would have thought Jolson himself was on the stage! Helen Harris ***
Dear Mr. Burstyn: Thank you so much from myself and
friends who attended ***
Dear Mr. Jolson: I'm one hundred and fifteen years old, and thought you had died, but I was mistaken because I saw you last night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. In checking the obituaries, I learned that it was Larry Parks who had in fact died. You, like me, are still very much alive. The energy-fantastic. The performance-amazing-musical theater lives because of performers such as you and your caste. ***
Dear Mike: ***
All we can say is WOW!!!!! My husband and I are frequent theater patrons.... but so far this has been one of the best shows we have seen! We saw you at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium yesterday while I was celebrating my birthday! This will be my most memorable one... Although Al Jolson died when we were a year old, we have always loved his music... If he were watching he would proud! You have two new fans and we will be following your schedule so we can see you again when you return to Southern California. Thanks for a great birthday! ANA & LARRY ROFE'
Dear Mr. Burstyn: This afternoon, my husband and I drove from Manhattan, Kansas, to Kansas City for the opening show for this season. We have season tickets 4th row center. Today, we saw you starring in Jolson and were totally amazed. The show, and especially you, were fantastic. I could close my eyes and think that I was really hearing Jolson. I believe that it was probably one of my favorite theater experiences, up there with Yul Brenner in the King and I. It does my heart good to see that there are still really talented people out there and can be seen without having to travel to New York or London. Your portrayal of Jolson got me so caught up in the character, I had to continually remind myself that Jolson died just before I was even born and that you were not him. The one thing I really wished was that I could actually hear you sing yourself. I will be looking for recordings made by you. Please let me know if there are some out there for me to add to my collection of really great entertainers. May God bless and keep you always. Maureen Harrison ***
I saw the how this past Saturday (9 October). A thoroughly profession performance. For what it's worth, I saw Jolson's camp show in '45 on Guam, if I remember correctly -- and at 74 that's now always accurate. There are three signs you're getting old: First, you start to forget and I can't remember what the other two are. But your performance catches the man that I remember. Thanks for a pleasurable evening. Bob O'Hara ***
Dear Mr.
Burstyn:
Today I had the great pleasure of seeing you perform at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Your rendition of Jolson brought him alive for myself, my wife Ellen and young daughters, Lauren and Jenny. Although Mr. Jolson died a year before my birth your rendition and his music have made me feel that I have known him all of my life. I look forward to reading about his life and will closely follow your career. Thanks for a great time! Thanks, Dennis R. Laffer
Dear Mike: My wife and I were in the audience Friday night at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. We were celebrating our 49th wedding anniversary and you made it a memorable one. I don't know how we will top it next year. You and the entire cast of Jolsen were fantastic! Thank you for an evening my wife and I shall not forget.
Dear Mike, Just a short note to say you're the greatest. My husband is a Jolson freak and I can't possibly put into words how much he has enjoyed seeing you play Jolson. Our first experience was at Van Wezel in Sarasota last winter, then I saw you in Chicago in the spring and we just saw you again today in Tampa. Enjoy the rest of your tour however more months or years it will be.. Many thanks for doing such a magnificent job. dk ***
My mother and I loved your
performance! You were wonderful! We have season tickets to the Orpheum in
Memphis. "Jolson" by far has been the most fun and had the best
ending! To elaborate on how good the show was (Saturday, Sept. 25 matinee):
We sit next to a couple in which the wife hates musicals and every show that has come to the Orpheum. (we still cannot figure out after many seasons why they continue to come to every show) She always complains throughout the entire show by sighing, moaning to her husband, or EATING candy very loudly! However, at the end of your show, she actually was laughing and singing along with the audience participation part, and yelled "BRAVO!!!" for you. If you could see how this woman usually is, you would know what a huge accomplishment you made this Saturday.
My wife and I finally got to see your show last Wed. in Memphis. We enjoyed your show ; you did a great job of singing. We drove from Winston Salem, NC to Memphis just for your show and it was worth the drive. Thanks and good luck with new show.
Last night's performance was dynamite! We really loved it and hope to see you again soon. It was well cast, the sets were magnificant and most of all we loved you and your music. Thanks for making our weekend. Julie & Jerry Klein ***
Mike, ***
Hi there, I just saw you in Jolson last night at the Orpheum in Memphis, TN and thought the show and you were fabulous. You were so entertaining and I left there really feeling good. I loved the way you involved the audience. I just had to write and let you know what a fantastic show you put on. Thanks for the entertaining night. Suzanne ***
Dear Mr. Jolson, alias Mike Burstyn: What a Performance !!! You were wonderful ! Bravo, Bravo !!! We are avid theater patrons and we haven't seen a performance like yours in a very long time! Guess you judged that from the standing ovations!!! I could go on and on but I just have a few more things to write you as follows: First, I want to sincerely thank you for seeing my mother, Anna, after the Jolson show at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, CT on Saturday evening, September 11, 1999. (Also a special thank you to your wife who very graciously obliged !) My mother and father are still talking about you and can't get over your wonderful performance which brought back so many happy memories for both of them and for me as a child growing up in a very Jolson home! Keep on makin people happy! Thank you! Ferma Bloom ***
Dear Mike, I had the privledge on Sunday afternoon to see your show Jolson. I am 58 and Al Jolson died when I was 9; however, perhaps at the Concord or Grossingers my parents took me somewhere to see him live. After seeing him with a blackened face singing Mammy, my remembrance was that Al Jolson was a black man. It wasn't until recently as an adult, I found out he was Jewish, as I am and white. Funny what we remember. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed your show. I was in the aisle seat in the 6th row orchestra and heard and saw everything. You were absolutely wonderful and did an outstanding job. It was wonderful to know the words and be able to mouth along almost every song. You really got the audience in the show and I enjoyed it as much as I have any show and I have had these seats and Broadway subscription for 19 years. Thank you for such a memorable afternoon and when I saw your website in the playbill, I had to take the opportunity to drop you a note. I hope you get to read this emails because they are wonderful and you deserve all the accolades you get. You were superb!!!! Thank you again. Barbara Raisner, Avon, CT Ctredhair@aol.com ***
Mike,
I saw you on Friday in Hartford and I thought that you were EXCELLENT!! You kept all of us entertained with you charm and presence! OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best regards, John Santore
Mr. Burstyn: I saw you perform in Hartford this past Saturday. It was wonderful. You gave a superb performance and I am always amazed how someone can put on a performance such as you gave and sing for three hours, not only for one performance, but two on Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for a wonderful 3 hours. I hope that I will be able now to keep track of your career and performances by checking your web page. Mary Ann Peifer ***
My wife and I saw your performance in "Jolson" at the Bushnell in Hartford, Ct on Sept. 8th and with all the Email you have received the only thing we can add to all the accolades you received is " THANK YOU FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING WE WILL NEVER FORGET". Thank you very much. Barbara & harry Gross ***
Dear Mr Burstyn, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your performance at the Bushnell Tuesday night. I have been a Broadway subscriper for over 10 years. Jolson and your performance ranks at the top of the list of all the shows I have seen over the last 10 years. If I had a free day I would have bought a ticket to go see it again. If I closed my eyes I would have thought Al Jolson was on stage (I'm not old enough to remember seeing him in person, but I do have a Jolson CD). AS we left the theater everyone around us was raving about how great the show was. As usual The Hartford Courant reviewer did not get the magic. For some reason The Hartford Courant reviewer does not like any Broadway show that is at the Bushnell. I have called several times to complain about the horrible reviews. My brother who was with me Tuesday night called after reading the review and asked it the man was at the same show we were at. Your performance was incredible and so was the rest of the cast. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Dolores Asvestas West Hartford, Ct.
***
We saw your show on Tuesday the 7th and all six of us were amazed at your performance. OUTSTANDING! Just had to tell you. ***
You were great! Proctor's Theatre has seen some outstanding performances, and you were among the best. Thank you!
Greg and Natalie Pinto
***
Dear Mr.. Burstyn, I'm so glad you had your WebPage address in the playbill. I have never written a fan letter to an actor before and yet couldn't wait to write this one. After reading every other letter on your page I felt like every one of those other new fans. You are terrific as Al Jolson and I can not ever remember enjoying a play more. I have been talking about the play for the last 24 hours. I wish I had gone to an earlier performance so I could have gone back and enjoyed it again and again. I like many of the others who have written you would love to have you record the sound track. I would line up to purchase it and listen to it often. I hope I am able to see you in something again soon, though this moment will be hard to top. You brought tears to my eyes because as I sat there watching and listening I thought of my parents who would have loved this as much a I did. They introduced me to Jolson music when I was little and started taking me to the theater at an early age. They are gone now but I know they were with me last night and enjoyed you as much as I did. May God continue to watch over you and your family for many years to come. Thank you again so much A fan forever, Laynie Miller
Dear Mr.Burstyn Sunday Aug 15,1999 Appox 11:30pm We just got home after seeing your final show in Dallas. An "Honorary Texan" is kind of like being presented the Key to the city of New York. You have been "Adopted" by Texas as a "Native Son". Now we Texans have "Bragging Rights" when it comes to conversation concerning you... I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the show. It brought back many of my childhood memories of Mr.Jolson. I never knew how much of an arrogant guy he was. I only knew of the fabulous songs he sang. I remember us boys all trying to sound like him. I guess it was the carbon mikes they used back in those day,but he always sound like he had a mouth full of potatoes or somthing. We used to stuff cotton in our mouths and try to sound like him. We couldn't wait till we got older and our voices deepened so we could get those rich tones he was famous for. You have achieved what we were striving for. Thanks for sharing that gift with us. I guess I heard him "Selling Cheese" on the Kraft Music Hall show. Also, not so long ago, I went to see CATS on Broadway in New York. It's playing at the Wintergarden theater. Mr. Jolson's picture is the ONLY picture hanging in the lobby. Quite a tribute. Meanwhile,, THANKS for the additional memories and May GOD Bless you and yours......... Respectfully, Paul and Linda Mangam (Garland <Near Dallas> Texas) ***
Mr. Burstyn, I saw the show in Dallas last night, and enjoyed every minute. At the end I felt as if I had been transformed back to the 40's and was sitting in Radio City watching, laughing and singing with Al Jolson. My dad would have loved the show. Thanks for a lovely evening and good luck with the show. Steve Gunner *** Click Below For Fabulous Dallas Letter
***
Dear Mr. Burstyn,
08/13/99
Mr.Burstyn, thank you for coming to Atlanta, and bringing Al Jolson back on stage. My husband and I enjoyed your performance beyond words. I didn't want it to end. Please hurry back to Atlanta.----God bless you and your family Priscilla & John Regan
***
Great Show!!! ***
My husband and I saw you show today at the Fox. He doesn't usually care for stage shows or musicals but enjoyed yours enormously. It was wonderful! Thanks, R. McClelland ***
Mr. Burstyn,
I was at your show "Jolson: last night at the Fox
Theater in Atlanta, ***
Just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your performance
tonight at the Fox
Dear Mr. Burstyn, Last night I was fortunate enough to usher at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. I absolutely loved the show and your performance. I remember singing many of the songs when I was a child. It was remarkable the way you have captured Jolson's movements and mannerisms. I felt as though I was part of the show because of the audience involvement. Mazel tov! I hope that you will bring the show to Broadway where it deserves to be. Very sincerely, Barbara Lewitt ***
Dear Mike, Last night I had the pleasure of watching you
here at the Fox and ***
Dear Mr. Burstyn, Hello! My name is Hailey Brodkin. I went to one of your shows a while ago. You were great! I decided to write this letter because of my dad really. See his father died before I got to meet him. The only thing I know about him is that he loved that kind of music. When we were at the performance of Jolson and you started singing my dad was like a kid in a candy store. As he said in one of his letters that he sent to you in October, it was like he spent 2 hours with his father. I just wanted to say thank you for making my dad so happy and for putting on such a wonderful performance. Good luck on other performances to come! Hailey Brodkin ***
Mr.Burstyn......How I enjoyed your performance on Saturday evening...The highlight of 1999.. I will look forward to seeing you again. Good luck in the future. Thank you again for bringing some joy to my life, you are a tremendous talent. Phil Clawson
Just want you to know,I haven't enjoyed a production as
much as Jolson in a ***
Thanks for giving me and everyone in the audience at the Ordway last night, a great evening. For me it was a trip down Memory Lane, as my grandmother was in vaudeville many, many years ago, and last night I could just see her at our old upright piano, playing Give My Regards to Broadway, A Quarter to Nine, etc., and belting out the words Sophie Tucker style. I hope we hear much more from you. I'd sure like to buy a CD from the show, if there are any. You were just great!!! Your voice is just dynamic and your acting is very exciting. Eadi Bluske of Minneapolis ***
Mr. Burstyn, Our Family saw your play "Jolson" today at the Ordway in St. Paul. We enjoyed the show. Although none of us ever saw Al Jolson live, we have seen "the Jazz Singer" and other movies, and both the "Jolson Story" and "Jolson Sings Again." Our name is not a joke, and we are indeed related to Al Jolson. My great grandfather (Schlomo) and Al's father Moishe were brothers, and my grandfather was closer to Al's brother Harry. Your portrayal was uncanny. In addition to the vocal inflection, difficult elements of his personality and the stage movements, there were elements few others would have noticed. The stage smile was so real, (and one prevalent among the Jolson males) that I saw my Father's mouth. Mr. Burstyn, we hope you keep shufflin along and enjoy the role as much as we enjoyed it. While it was fun to see our own name in lights, we especially enjoyed your portrayal. *** From: robert h <roberth46@hotmail.com *** "Saw you at the Shubert in New Haven and it was a compelling night. Rarely does one person command and control the stage the way you did. I am actually planning to see the show when it is in Hartford in September. I have never seen a show twice in my life before. What we need now is a soundtrack and some months onBraodway. Thank you for a magical evening! Laura E. Lerman laura.lerman@lerman.nai.net" *** Subj: kudos, thank yous
and appreciation *** October 15, 1998Mr. Mike Burstyn C/o The Allen Theatre, Playhouse Square Cleveland, Ohio
Dear Sir: I would just like to tell you how much I enjoyed last night’s performance Of "Jolson" at the Allen Theatre. Ever since I saw the "Jolson Story" when I was a kid, and listened to Jolson on the radio, I wished that I could have seen him perform in person. Well, last night my wish came true. You were great, and I hope to catch The show again, somewhere, sometime. Thanks for a very enjoyable evening.
Sincerely, Paul Kodish, Akron, Ohio ***
Subj: Your e-mail message Hello again, Mr. Burstyn, Or should I say "Jolie?" Thank you ever so much for your most thoughtful response. My fax to you was the first I have ever sent to an actor after seeing a play, so moved was I by your performance. I have printed the schedule of your national tour, and as business takes me around the country, I may just be in the audience again. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Great that you plan a cast recording. Make sure you alert your fans when your web site is up and singing! In the mean time, I'll check out the site you sent me. God bless, and keep your eyes on ol' Broadway! Jim Jarvela parsonage@monad.net The Old Parsonage Munsonville, NH 03457 *** Subj: "Jolson" in Sacramento *** |
