Joseph Stein, a luminary of American theater, entered the world on May 30, 1912, amidst the vibrant energy of New York City. The son of Charles and Emma (Rosenblum) Stein, Polish immigrants on a quest for a new life, he grew up in the bustling Bronx. His father, a man of stories, filled young Joseph's evenings with the enchanting tales of Sholom Aleichem, a master of Jewish folklore. These stories would nestle in Stein's heart, waiting to blossom into the beloved musical Fiddler on the Roof. Yet, the theater was not Stein's initial calling. He first pursued academia, acquiring a Bachelor of Social Science from City College in 1935, followed by a Master of Social Work from Columbia in 1937. His early career unfolded as a psychiatric social worker, a role he held from 1939 until the end of World War II in 1945.

The year 1946 marked a new chapter as Stein's words found their way to the airwaves. He penned scripts for radio programs like the Henry Morgan Show and Kraft Music Hall. Two years later, alongside his writing partner Will Glickman, Stein ventured into the world of theater. Together, they crafted sketches for Broadway revues, entire plays, and the books for musicals. Their collaborative spirit shone brightly until 1958, with their most notable triumph being the 1955 musical play Plain and Fancy. Stein's talents extended to television from 1950 to 1962, where he contributed to variety shows such as Your Show of Shows and The Sid Caesar Show, along with specials featuring luminaries like Phil Silvers and Debbie Reynolds.

Stein's flair for adaptation set the stage for his most remarkable achievements. In 1959, he found solo success adapting Sean O’Casey’s Juno. But it was his 1963 adaptation of Carl Reiner’s autobiography, Enter Laughing, that cemented his reputation. The pinnacle of Stein’s theatrical journey was undoubtedly crafting the book for the musical Fiddler on the Roof. Despite initial investor skepticism about its appeal, Fiddler defied expectations and became a monumental success, earning Stein three prestigious awards, including the Antoinette "Tony" Perry Award for Best Musical.

Stein’s talent for adaptation continued to flourish with the 1968 musical Zorba, drawn from the novel Zorba the Greek. Yet, his career faced challenges, notably in 1986 with the musical Rags, a sequel to Fiddler on the Roof. While Rags struggled during its brief five-day Broadway debut, it found modest acclaim in Off-Broadway and regional productions, even securing a Tony Award nomination in 1987.

On the personal front, Stein shared his life with Sadie Singer until her passing in 1974. Together, they raised three sons: Daniel, Harry, and Joshua. Stein found love again and in 1976 married Elisa Loti, a former actress and psychotherapist, embarking on a new chapter of companionship and creativity.