“Fiddler on the Roof”

[rating=4]A “Fiddler on the Roof”; sounds crazy , no? but for 62 years, this musical story of the Shalom Alechem stories, with a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick has thrilled audiences. The story is even more relevant in today’s world than when it first hit the stage. Tevye’s life takes place in a small Russian community known as Anatevka, where the Jewish population is kept at bay under the laws of the Tzar. I am very familiar with this play having seen it many times with many Tevyes and also having played the role myself, some 30 plus years ago.

The revival, now on the stage of the Cadillac Palace Theatre located at 151 West Randolph is very close to the staging that we have always witnessed. Some of the dance numbers have been changed. For those who know the show, the wedding bottle dance is a bit different than before, and yes the bottles are not glued on to the hats worn by the dancers. In fact, one of the dancers had a slight problem last night and his bottle fell several times. It proved to non-believers that the hats and bottles are real ( albeit plastic bottles).

The characters are the same, but in some cases played a little differently. Tevye (Israeli actor Yehezkel Lazarov) is a little lighter in mood and plays for more comic touch. This is either the interpretation of director Bartlett Sher, or his own character building. Many who have read the original stories feel that Tevye is a character that would be more comic, almost like a carictature . Of course it is Tevye’s story during this period. He has five daughters and as we learn from the opening number “Tradition” a son would have been nice.

The story is more about the lives of the community and his daughter growing up and being ready for romance and love. Tradition say they must have their marriages arranged through the “Matchmake”, Yenter ( Brooke Wetterhan is a stitch) and of course the three oldest ones do the wonderful “matchmaker” when they hear their mother has had a meeting with Yente. The three older girls, Tzeitel (Kelly Gabrielle Murphy), Hodel (Noah Luz Barenblat) and Chava (Jena Harwood) each find their true love and cause breaks from tradition.

Golde, Tevye’s wife of 25 years is played by Maite Uzal and she is perfectly matched to  Lazarov. One can see that clearly in both “Tevye’s Dream” and “Do You Love Me” numbers. By the way, the dream sequence was amazing and stronger than others. The young men that change the world of Tevye the Milkman are Motel, the tailor ( played to perfection by Daniel Kushner), Perchik, a student/teacher (Solomon Reynolds is a delight) and Fyedka, a Russian soldier ( deftly handled by Jack O’Brien ).  Andrew Hendrick is a delightful Lazar Wolf, the butcher and the ensemble is powerful.

The song list is amazing with many of the melodies being used at weddings and other festivities. “Sabbath Prayer”, “Far From The Home I Love”, “Miracle of Miracles” and of course the number one song, “Sunrise, Sunset”.

This is a classic and made for families to enjoy together. At the end of the show, as the people leave their home, we see Tevye stop and look back at the fiddler (Ali Arian Molaei). He waves to him as if to say, we are off to a new adventure and life in America, but we will not leave our traditions behind. Come with us so we can retain what we were given by our families. There are tears in many audience members eyes at that moment. Lazarov at the end of the curtain call ( standing ovation) reads a note about what is taking place in the Ukraine at this time to remind us that history can repeat itself and to ask for our prayers for those in this troubled area of the world.

“Fiddler on the Roof” is only here for a week

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, May 18 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm

Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 pm

Friday, May 20 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, May 21 at 2 pm and 8 pm

Sunday, May 22 at 2 pm

Go to www.BroadwayInChicago.com to order your tickets now!

The Cadillac Palace theater is located at 151 West Randolph ( at Wells) and if you are seeking dining in the area, I love the Randolph Tavern right at the corner of Wells and Randolph.

Covid rules apply at all BIC productions, Proof of vaccination and photo ID- masks to be worn for entire production.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Fiddler on the Roof”.

Tune in to Sunday’s show WCPT820 at 2 p.m. as I am joined by Paul Lisnek to talk about this show and Tevye.  Here are some old photos on me as Tevye