Can great art transcend political disgrace? “Last Call”—a new play about an alleged late-life meeting between Leonard Bernstein and ex-Nazi Herbert von Karajan—attempts to answer a difficult question. Jonathan S. Tobin March 28, 2025
There was more to Leonard Bernstein than his sex life or his nose A much-anticipated biopic is a reflection of contemporary obsessions, adding little of value about a great musician and one of the most interesting Jews of the 20th century. Jonathan S. Tobin Dec. 29, 2023
AJC, ADL: Bradley Cooper’s prosthetic nose in Netflix ‘Maestro’ not antisemitic Beyond the prop, some have said it’s inappropriate for the non-Jewish actor to play Leonard Bernstein, who was Jewish. Aug. 22, 2023
The problem isn’t Bradley Cooper’s nose Even normally serious people are looking for antisemitism in the wrong places. Misplaced anger about a movie undermines the fight against genuine Jew-hatred. Jonathan S. Tobin Aug. 18, 2023
Leonard Bernstein Netflix film criticized over ‘Jewface’ The composer’s family has supported Cooper’s prosthetic nose and said that the late Bernstein would have done the same. Aug. 17, 2023
Jews have bigger problems than a fake nose on an actor’s face The controversy over Bradley Cooper playing Leonard Bernstein is being hyped by those who worry about anti-Semitism. Woke rhetoric about cultural appropriation doesn’t help. Jonathan S. Tobin June 3, 2022
Leonard Bernstein’s century The great musician’s centennial highlights so much that is great about American Jewry, as well as some of its foibles. Jonathan S. Tobin Aug. 24, 2018
