*** Tonight’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” as directed by Elizabeth Margolius is just a little different from any other production you may have seen. The first note that was hard to adjust to is the absence of props. Yes, Tevye had no cart, there were no Sabbath candles for “Sabbath Prayer”, there was no drinking in the bar scene for “To Life” and of great importance, no “Fiddler” ( there was a fiddle on the stage to end the play!). I guess one might call this production “Prop Less in Oakbrook Terrace”!“Fiddler” is a play that we all grew up on and is based on the tales of Shalom Aleichem and his stories about Tevye, The Milkman. Margolius evidently was looking to look at the play from a unique perspective of Tevye’s memories rather than follow the story as it is presented normally. The cast is true to the characters they are playing and while I was missing certain aspects that I am used to, after being in the play and seeing it countless times, I was impressed with some of the new ideas and loved Mark David Kaplan in the role of Tevye. Golde, his wife is well handled by Janna Cardia and I absolutely loved Janet Ulrich Brooks as Yente, The Matchmaker.
The three older daughter of Tevye’s five, Tzeitel ( Emma Rosenthal), Hodel (Yael Eden Chanukov )and Chava ( Abby Goldberg) were all terrific in their roles. For those of you who do not know this story, each of these girls breaks tradition when it comes to maturity and marriage. The two younger girls are Schprintze (Lea Grace Biwer)_ and Bielke ( Estella McCarthy Schultz). Each of the older girls finds a mate during the play- Tzeitel- Motel the tailor ( a strong performance by Michael Kurowski) Perchik, the teacher ( Zach Sorrow nails this role) and Fyedka , the Russian soldier ( deftly handled by Grant Kilian).
This play depends on its ensemble to make it truly effective and they were up to the mark from start to finish. Joel Gelman ( Lazar Wolf),Jeff Parker ( as the Constable), Dara Cameron ( as Fruma-Sarah, “the butchers departed wife for the Dream) Thomas J. Cox,Karl Hamilton, Susan Hofflander, Nathan Kabara, Bill McGough, Sam Shankman, Mack Alexander, Jenessa Altvater, Daniel Hurst, Dani Johns, Will Leaonard, Jessica Deahr Neville,Jordan Radis, Elizabeth Romero, Jacob Simon and Jodi Snyder. Bravo!
Most everyone knows the wonderful music (Jerry Bock) and lyrics (Sheldon Harnick). Songs like “Matchmake, Matchmaker”, “If I Were A Rich Man”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, and many more. I guess from the get-go as the cast did “Tradition” I should have realized that Margolius and her crew were making their own traditions. The choreography ( Rommy Sandhu) was festive, but in the wedding sequence you will not see the “Bottle Dance” ( a unique tradition in this scene) but instead a “chair” dance that doesn’t come close to the famed “Bottle Dance”. We also do not have a Fiddler for Tevye to take with him and his family, taking “tradition” on their journey to a new life and land. Without a cart, Tevye can’t give cheese to his customers as there are no props.
I was able to adjust my head to the concept although I missed seeing certain things. Packing up to leave is an important part of the final scene as we can see Tevye busying himself when Chava and Fyedka come to say they are also leaving. Without the “business” and props, it was too quick and did not have the heart and soul that it was meant to convey. I also miss the dream scene taking place in a bedroom, in bedclothes and with a spectacular production. Using video projections was not the same!
I love the play and the music. I loved the cast of players and only felt that the elimination of Jewish traditions and props took away from the action. I imagine people who have never seen a production of this play wondering what was taking place in certain scenes. Needless to say, it is always worth seeing and even more important today with what is going on in the Ukraine.
“Fiddler On The Roof” will continue thru with performances as follows:
Wednesdays:1:30pm
Thursdays:1:30pm
Fridays:7:00pm
Saturdays:3:00pm & 8:00pm
Sundays:2:00pm & 6:00pm
Show Type: Musical
Box Office: 630-530-0111
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Fiddler On The Roof”
NOTE: One of my favorite roles in all my years of being onstage was that of Tevye in “Fiddler”. My first time playing this role was when I was in my late 30’s and the again in my 40’s. The hardest thing for me during any production of this show is sitting back and watching, never comparing it to the productions I have seen or been in. At this time in history, the show has added meaning for the Jewish population whose families left the pogroms and came here to start anew. The Hispanic population is doing this today as are many Ukrainians. May the transition be a peaceful one for all who travel!
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