What Were They Thinking: Ten Minutes with Joel Grey Bob Abelman Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal Member, International Association of Theatre Critics Many old-time Clevelanders know that Oscar and Tony Award-winning showman Joel Grey was born Joel David Katz in University Heights in 1932 and cut his actor’s chops as a 9 year old in the Cleveland Play House production of “On Borrowed Time.” Some may also know that Grey’s father, Mickey Katz, was a well-known musician and novelty singer in the 1940s who created and toured with the “Borscht Capades.” It was the equivalent of a vaudeville show that featured Katz singing Yiddishized parodies of popular songs backed by a klezmer band and included a ventriloquist, a juggler, a singer, a comedian and, occasionally, his talented teenage son. The still-spry 83-year-old star of “Cabaret,” “Chicago” and many other shows was just in town for two performances of “Joel Grey: Up Close and Personal,” a 90-minute conversation about his life on the stage and screen. His show was part of the Cleveland Play House’s centennial celebration. The Cleveland Jewish News caught up with Grey shortly before his first performance. With only 10 minutes to spend together, we focused on the slice of his life that few people are familiar with: His path from the “Borscht Capades” to Broadway. For more of this interview, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/.