On one hand, I must say, it’s a blessing to see such a timeless show like FIDDLER ON THE ROOF come to life on stage. The music, the story, and the choreography all weaved together like the threads of a prayer shawl, creating a tapestry of rich tradition. On the other hand, who could have imagined the sheer brilliance of this particular production being performed in the round? The actors, the set design, and the overall performance were so well done that even Tevye himself probably took a moment to marvel. Ah, but that’s the beauty of theatre, isn’t it? A dance with tradition while balancing on the rooftop of creativity and passion.
From the moment the first strains of “Tradition” echoed through the theatre, I knew we were in for a treat. The powerful cast entrance during this opening number captured my attention immediately and held it throughout the two-hour and forty-five-minute performance. Each character’s introduction set the stage for a journey into their world, a world where everyone is a fiddler on a roof.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF tells the story of Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman in the Russian village of Anatevka, who struggles to maintain his cultural and religious traditions amidst the changing world around him. Set in the early 20th century, Tevye deals with the challenges of three of his daughters and their marriage choices, which defy his wishes and traditional customs. We see how Tevye handles these non-traditional events while facing the growing threat of anti-Semitic violence and the displacement of his community. This musical weaves themes of love, family, faith, and resilience, capturing the essence of the human experience through a father’s eyes.
The beloved dairyman, Tevye (Andrew Polk), truly stole the show. His heartfelt monologues to the Almighty were both funny and relatable. Polk’s foot-stomping rendition of “If I Were a Rich Man,” which shared Tevye’s dreams of wealth and an easy life, made me wish I had a few more rubles in my pocket, or at least a fiddle to join in the fun. My favorite aspect of Polk’s performance was his comedic timing and facial expressions, which were as sharp as a matchmaker’s wit.
Speaking of matchmakers, Joy Hermalyn’s performance as Yente was brilliant. She captured the quirkiness of the character perfectly, making me laugh every time she was on stage. As fun as Hermalyn was to watch, I also enjoyed watching Tevye’s trio of daughters, who broke tradition in the men they chose to marry. They had me rooting for their love throughout the entire performance. The energy and youthful exuberance, paired with their beautiful voices, made their scenes vibrant and dynamic.
Speaking of vibrant and dynamic, “The Dream”, was so fun. I especially loved the way the directors portrayed Grandma Tzeitel (Tracy Katz Paladini) and Fruma-Sarah (Lisa Karlin), I won’t give away all the secrets, but I will say that it was one scene I was looking forward to watching to see how creative it would be. I cannot fail to mention the amazing voice of Lisa Karlin, who perfectly captured Fruma-Sarah’s ghostly squeals and shrieks. It was hauntingly great.
By far, my favorite part of the show was the choreography, particularly the Russians who danced in celebration during “To Life.” “The Bottle Dance” was another favorite. The precise and intricate moves of this dance during Tzeitel (Abby Goldfarb) and Motel’s (Nathan Salstone) wedding had me grinning from ear to ear. I couldn’t help but wonder how many bottles were broken during rehearsals, but maybe none were, as they were that good! Let’s face it though – every dance number in this show was a traditional treat, leaving me thinking about it long after the final bows.
The Good Book says you won’t want to miss Broadway at Music Circus’ FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, playing now through July 14th at the UC Davis Health Pavilion. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Anatevka, this performance will make your heart dance like a fiddler on a – well, you know. Mazel tov to the entire cast and crew for a remarkable performance of this beloved classic. Learn more here.
English
Chinese (Simplified)
Filipino
French
German
Hmong
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Vietnamese
