bob, before roberta

Bob, on the other hand, was the only child of Sidney Turoff and Fannie Mokofsky, two first generation children of Russian immigrants. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Bob had two working parents who had the foresight to keep him off the streets and sent him into the welcoming arms of the local Jewish Community Center. As a young teenager he became a budding young actor at the center.  Bob was taught tricks like how to use carbon paper on his blonde hair to make him look older. When a professional director from New York brought him to the edge of the stage after a dress rehearsal and quietly said, “Turoff, stick with it - this is your work,” it was like hearing the voice of God.  After graduating from the University of Denver, Bob moved to new York and immediately started directing shows.  Off-Broadway he directed Jerry Herman's Madam Aphrodite at the Orpheum and two Jerome Moross shows - The Golden Apple at the York theatre and Gentlemen, Be Seated at the New York City Center.  In summer stock he directed many seasons at Ft.Worth's Casa Manana and Atlanta's Theatre of the Stars, as well as New Jersey's Papermill Playhouse.