Stage and Screen Legend Mandy Patinkin Wows Sold-Out Crowd

The impending snowstorm didn't stop 600 Mandy Patinkin fans from coming out Thursday evening to hear the Broadway and Hollywood legend speak as the featured guest of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ.

The star of Showtime's original series 'Homeland' made his way through the packed ballroom of the Hilton Parsippany and sat among the audience, coffee cup in hand, prior to stepping up to the podium. Patinkin greeted guests and posed for pictures with enthusiastic fans. 

Talking for nearly 45 minutes, more than twice the length he was expected to speak, the Tony award-winner, no stranger to a stage, offered this caveat:

"First of all, I don't usually speak. This is not what I do, so keep your expectations in the toilet," he deadpanned. "I'm a performer and I have the privilege of being the mailman for great, gifted writers—in some cases, geniuses—who write down what they wish for the world."  

The affable actor shared personal stories, including tales of growing up in a close-knit Jewish family and of his early days singing in his temple's choir. He recounted the heartbreak that preceded his meeting and courting Kathryn Grody, his wife of 34 years, with whom he has two sons. He had the audience laughing when he recalled his intentions of letting Barbra Streisand down easy while refusing a role in 'Yentl' and kept them in hysterics when he shared how he came to be circumcised, not once, but twice.

Referring to himself as "the luckiest guy in the world," Patinkin told the audience how the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in his childhood Chicago neighborhood, where he first discovered acting, saved his life.

"I owe it everything," he said. "I hated high school; it had nothing that interested me and this place, I was there every single day and after school we rehearsed these plays in the same room I went to nursery school in."

Patinkin said he brought this up because JCCs are just one "of the glorious things that you're funding."

"The bottom line is, don't say no. When somebody asks you to show up somewhere, at 60 years old—and start doing it when you're 6—say yes. If it doesn't work out, you'll figure it out. If it does work out, it's everything. It's the love of your life. It's what you'll do for your life—your career. It's like an accident that turns into gold. It's like Woody Allen said, 'just show up.'

Showing up is exactly what members of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ did when they were needed most, according to Timothy Perrella, a resident of Union Beach. The Hurricane Sandy survivor shared his personal story before Patinkin spoke and thanked Federation for showing up again and again and again.

"You asked, 'what do you need today? What do you need tomorrow? and What do you need down the road?' Thank you doesn't seem enough to say," Perrella said. 

Following Patinkin's talk, guests had an opportunity to ask the singer some questions. The first was "Do you have plans to return to Broadway?" Patinkin confirmed that he intends to walk the boards later this year with the help of Taylor Mac, whom he described as "quite brilliant." Together, the two have created 'The Last Two People on Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville.'

"We're birthing it in December and we'll bring it all over the world and I cannot wait to bring it to you and everyone," Patinkin said. "I'm very excited."

To the delight of the crowd, the man who starred as Inigo Montoya in the 1987 fantasy 'The Princess Bride' recreated the film's famous lines: “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die," when asked about an incident in which an airplane passenger wearing a t-shirt bearing the phrase caused quite a stir earlier this year.

"I got emails up the wazoo when this thing happened," Patinkin said. "People think this is something I need to know about."

When asked if he had a dream role he'd yet to play, the 60 year old said, "My favorite role is always the next one."

As for what he enjoys most, Patinkin answered, "being with my family, doing nothing, taking hikes in the woods." Professionally, he said, if he had to make a choice, it would be "the live concert venue—the reason being the reservoir of material for me is endless. There's nothing like being with an audience, just like tonight, live, present, together. It's the most powerful thing ever. It's not about me, it's about us, together."

Before leaving, Patinkin again shook hands, posed for photographs and autographed programs for attendees of the fundraiser. 

Westfield residents Cathy and Steven Tabak co-chaired the event with Michelle Cohen and Steve Samansky of Short Hills. 

Live from Greater MetroWest benefits Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. The federation cares for people in need locally, in Israel and around the world. Among the many programs the charity supports are: job training and placement services for the unemployed; crisis counseling for families; supportive services for seniors; Jewish identity building initiatives; programs/services for people with special needs and their families; Israel education and advocacy; leadership development and Birthright Israel. For more information, visit http://jfedgmw.org/Section.aspx?id=3368