Shabbos and Holiday music: Soulful melodies at the festive table, heartfelt synagogue prayers, an inspiring Cantor whose rendition of the ancient verses reaches Heaven.

Broadway Music: Stage makeup, flashing lights and cameras, glitz and glamour, a dynamic performing star whose rendition may reach Variety's Critics Choice or get rave New York Times reviews.

These diverse musical worlds seem inherently discordant and impossible to harmonize. But Dudu Fisher found his way to stardom and fame without compromising either. Indeed, the dynamic tension between these two movements is a hallmark of Dudu's unique symphony.

Born in Petach Tikva, Israel in 1951, Dudu began his singing career as a cantor. He studied under the famous Cantor Shlomo Ravitz, and did recitals at the Great Synagogue in Allenby Street, Tel Aviv, and then in South Africa. Dudu soon became one the world's leading cantors.

Once when visiting London, Dudu saw Les Miserables. "I was taken by storm and felt, 'I must do it!'" he recalls. After seeing the show four consecutive nights, Dudu returned to Israel to star in the musical's Hebrew version.

His success brought him international recognition and an invitation to assume the starring role of Jean Valjean on Broadway and in London. Many talented young people flock to New York with stars in their eyes, ready to compromise everything to get their big break. But Dudu had the dedication and tenacity to hold on to his faith and principles.

"My first big Broadway Act was my refusal to work on Shabbos. No Friday night show, no Saturday matinee. This may well be my biggest act ever. No one did it before, and I really don't know if I'd be tough enough to do it again. It was a miracle - the right combination of an understanding producer and other factors."

The miracle did not appear on a silver platter. "The negotiations were excruciating. There were many issues such as Shabbos, alien immigrant status, and the union.

"I was torn, and friends suggested I ask the Lubavitcher Rebbe for his advice and blessing. But how do you approach the Rebbe regarding a Broadway show? It didn't seem right. But in the end I did, and after speaking with the Rebbe and receiving his blessing- it happened. I finally reached an agreement with the producer and everyone was happy."

"I do Chabad benefits in far flung places like Russia, Thailand and Hong Kong. Chabad has changed the world. I travel a lot, and see such a big difference between 18-20 years ago and today. My Shabbos in many places used to be a lonely experience in a hotel room with a jar of gefilte fish. I'd make kiddush and cry. Now, most anywhere I go there is kosher food, a minyan, a community and a welcoming Chabad family that makes me feel at home."

Dudu's stories revolve around his fascinating experience as a Shabbos observant Jew on Broadway.

"I call my life story 'Never on Friday!' It's received rave reviews in the New York Times. People are very moved, they come up and say, 'We never thought someone like you could make it.' I tell them, 'I'm not here to force Shabbos on you, you are free to learn from it whatever you want. If you really believe in yourself and you're good, you can succeed without compromising. Don't make Shabbos, or your ideals, pay for your success, for more than the Jews kept Shabbos, Shabbos has kept the Jews.'"

"Sometimes I'm down, lonely away from my family, but I'm in a unique position to share this message- that being Jewish doesn't stop your success. Maybe other obstacles are really the issue."

Dudu is sensitive to the cultural nuances of the places he visits. "I adjust my show to each crowd. In Russia I sing more Yiddish and Chassidic numbers. In hot and emotional South America it's more upbeat. American audiences like more stories and show tunes."

What looks like an effortless performance is actually the result of meticulous planning and effort. "When choosing a song out of hundreds, I look for one with a message, that really expresses my feelings. If I try a song and I'm not 100% into it- I don't do it."

Asked for his favorite song- Dudu passionately replied, "Whatever I sing I love, and choose after much thought. The whole program, the dialogue, stories and songs are carefully constructed, one leads to the next. I'm sometimes asked, 'Can you just take this or that out?' I can't without breaking the chain."

Dudu's repertoire includes liturgical, Chassidic, opera and popular American and Israeli songs. Which does he like best? "Music is music is music - each form stands for itself!" he responds. Enjoying each kind may be easy - but singing them is not. "Each style has a different technique. I had a great voice teacher in Israel who gave me a good foundation and taught me various techniques."

Dudu will soon have a chance to shine in a new venue. On October 14 his new one-man show opened on the Lower East Side, and will hopefully proceed to Broadway. Dudu is excited. "I'm my own boss and can decide when the theatre is closed, when it's open.

"A year and a half ago, I was stuck on a plateau. I thought, 'It's hard to make it work - a producer in a kippah. Les Miserables was a miracle, and unlikely to happen again.' I met with Richard Jay Alexander, former right hand man to Cameron McIntosh, the world producer of Les Mis."

"Richard listened to my problem, and put his creative mind to work. 'You should do a one-man show', he suggested. 'What can I sing or say- I'm all dried up', I forlornly replied. Richard enthusiastically reminded me, 'You did two things in New York- Les Mis and Never on Friday. When I put an ad in the NY Times for you I sold one million dollars of tickets in one week! You have a following and they want to hear something new.'

'What?'

'I'll make a show for you,' he offered. Now he's SO big- he's made shows for Barbara Streisand and the like, and his services are out of my league. 'Don't worry- I'll be your partner and do it for you. I believe in you, you'll make it big! Not only Jews should know about you!'"

Imagine walking in to a Shabbos service and sitting next to such a grand voice. Wouldn't you want Dudu to be the cantor? "Nope!" insists Dudu. "On Shabbos I'm just a regular person. Not a performer. Performing is work for me. I have to prepare for it with sleep, eating, certain things and so on. I sometimes lead the services in my neighborhood shteibel synagogue, but without all the flourish."

The dual passions for Torah and music fuel this talented star. From Broadway to holy days, from Jean Valjean to soulful chazan, Dudu Fisher exudes a contagious joie d'vivre and Jewish pride.