I am determined to give the Yiddish language a fighting chance to survive.

Retiring' - within that word is 'tiring,' and I'm not tired. I don't believe in retirement, really.

Audiences are audiences.

I created the role of Captain Von Trapp.

Must we be put to shame by much smaller and poorer countries, by Ireland, France, Austria or Sweden, who have understood that a nation's support of its arts is a matter of both national pride and cultural survival?

If I have one vanity wish, it would be to direct. It's the only thing I haven't done yet that I would like to.

What moves me is neither ethnocentric pride nor sectarian arrogance. I make no claim that Jewish culture is superior to other cultures. But it is mine.