“Fiddler on the Roof”

Highly Recommended **** I always have a hard time in watching “Fiddler on the Roof”, knowing I am there to critique the production I am watching. I have seen the show countless times and on two occasions, played the role of Tevye, The Milkman, myself. So walking into the current production of this musical theater classic, based on the amazing short stories of Sholom Aleichem, with a solid book by Joseph Stein, wonderful and memorable music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by the magical Sheldon Harnick, my thoughts turn to comparisons. Will this production match those I have seen with actors such as Peter Goz, Hershell Bernardi, Zero Mostel, Luther Adler or even some of the Chicago actors who have done the role of Tevye proud ( I was a pretty solid Tevye myself). I must say, this particular production exceeded my expectations.

As I walked into the Cadillac Palace and gazed upon the new look, I was a little confused. A brick wall with a sign hanging saying Anatevka, and a single chair with a cap on the chair back was all that we see. Could they have changed the opening number, the one that sets the tone of what Aleichem was saying? While they did not alter the town, they did change the beginning as Director Bartlett Sher ( who did this revival) has changed the opening. Before we get into the opening song, “Tradition”, Tevye (Yehezekel Lazarov, who puts a bit more humor into his interpretation of this man, who is simple and at the same time wise, is solid and brings out the true spirit of the character). opens a book and begins reading…”A Fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no?… Leads right into the opening song. At the end, as they are leaving Russia, he reappears as the book reader to end the story with the Fiddler (Paul Moreland) leaving with them. As always, they bring the traditions that we learn  in the story with them, to restart in America!

The story is the same. A heartwarming story about the people of a small Russian community who are treated poorly by the powers that rule. Tevye and his friends, neighbors and family are threatened by the Russians and even though the head Russian (Jeff Brooks as the Constable) likes Tevye, he must follow his orders or he will pay the price as well. Tevye and his charming wife, Golde (admiringly played by Maite Uzal) have five daughters. Back in the early 1900’s having five children was tough, but having all daughters was a nightmare.

Our story revolves around these girls, well, at least the three eldest and the men they meet with whom they  fall in love with. At that time the Matchmaker was of great importance to the tradition of the people. Yente (Carol Beauguard) a fitting name off this character,  will attempt to do her job, but as the girls prove, the times, they are a changing. Tevye is to meet with Lazar Wolf, The Butcher (Jonathan Von Mering) so that he can wed Tevye’s eldest Tzeitel (the lovely Mel Weyn) and as they drink (“L’Chaim “with a rousing dance number choreographed by Christopher Evans) and make the deal, back home, Tzeitel and her true love, Motel, the tailor (deftly handled by  Jesse Weil)decide they have to tell Tevye of their intent to marry.

Daughter number two, Hodel ( Ruthy Froch is a delight) falls in love with a young teacher who we first met in the opening Sabbath scenes, Perchik (Ryne Nardecchia), they also want to marry and break the rules of the Jewish traditions. The third daughter, Chava (Natalie Powers is sheer perfection in this role), who is more modern than the others falls in love with one of the young Russian soldiers,  Fyedka (Joshua Logan Alexander ), who in the program is listed as a young man, but in reality, he is a Russian cadet who is being trained to take over the community). The stories are easy to figure out. Tevye gives in to modernization, to a point.

“Fiddler” is filled with comic moments, sad moments, lovely moments and moments that will leave an imprint on the young and those who are not Jewish. There are songs such as “Sabbath Prayer”, “If I Were A Rich Man” (Lazarov knocks it out of the park with his version), “Sunrise, Sunset”, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” ( the girls are adorable in this one) and “Far From The home I Love” (Froch has a great range). The dream sequence is a delight, but at times played too much for comedy. The bottle dance at the wedding is , as always a special moment. They do drop a bottle, but for the most part that is to prove that they are not stuck on with adhesives or Velcro.

This is 3 hours of magic in musical comedy. In fact, the first act ( the longer of the two) feels as if it just happened and yet it is an hour and forty minutes. The action and story keep you into it and no one looks at a watch. “Fiddler on the Roof” will continue thru January 6th at the Cadillac Palace Theatre located at 151 West Randolph Street with performances as follows:

Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. (except Christmas Eve)

Wednesdays  2 pm and 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. except on January 6th.

Tickets range from $25-$98 making this a family friendly production and can be purchased at any of the Broadway In Chicago box offices, by phone at 1-800-775-2000 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com

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