Over half a century after its first release, the songs from the Tony-award-winning musical “Fiddler on the Roof” have been known all over the world due to their universal and timeless message. A heartwarming story of life, love, and laughter, the musical hits “Tradition,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were A Rich Man,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” and “To Life (L’Chaim!)” are all familiar songs for any theater enthusiast. And now, these songs will be heard live once again as the Broadway musical takes center stage in Sarofim Hall at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston, Texas.
“A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT. This is a TRIUMPH!” – Associated Press
“Beautiful and stirring. A superb production.”- David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
A revival of the Tony-award-winning musical, “Fiddler on the Roof” is the classic heartwarming story of the lives of characters who are bound by tradition and unfortunate circumstances. It tells the story of Tevye, a poor Jewish dairyman, and his family facing oppression in rural Russia at the turn of the 20th century. It follows the struggles of Tevye and his wife Golde as they try to marry off their five daughters: Tzeitel, Hodel, Chava, Shprintze, and Bielke.
The three eldest insist on marrying someone they love despite the wishes of their well-meaning parents to find them wealthy suitors. That disassociation between love and marriage is illustrated in the song “Do You Love Me?” where Tevye and Golde admit their feelings for each other after 25 years. All these contemplations about love and marriage happen as the oppression from the Russians grows. Eventually, the Russian constable tells all the Jewish villagers to pack up and leave their village, Anatevka.
Unfortunately, the ending of the musical showing Tevye and his family, along with the rest of the villagers, flee their village with only their belongings still resonates today. The show has an enduring legacy that depicts that the family’s struggle over 50 years ago has a universal appeal. With the ongoing war happening on the other side of the world right now, we know that the plight of the show’s characters is tangibly real.
‘Fiddler on the Roof’ review: A bracingly modern take on a classic
Miracle of miracles, indeed: Just when you think you know a classic musical backward and forwards, along comes director Bartlett Sher to prove otherwise. Just as with his seminal 2008 staging of “South Pacific” (and his less successful, but still laudable version of “The King and I” from earlier this year), Sher’s take on “Fiddler on the Roof” feels at once bracingly modern and gloriously old school.
While not without its flaws, this production draws on modern dance and puppetry technique, and it deftly references the current European refugee crisis — all without losing sight of the elemental power of Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, and Joseph Stein’s original story.
Key to this triumph is the casting of five-time Tony nominee Danny Burstein as Tevye, the humble milkman with five daughters, living under the threat of pogrom in pre-revolution Ukraine. Burstein’s work here is gentle, warm-hearted, exceedingly modest — he gives us a deeply spiritual and loving man in an ongoing dialogue with his God. And when he sings the show’s iconic “If I Were a Rich Man,” he does it with astonishing control and elegance — all those idle-diddle-daidle-daidles pouring forth from him like warm honey.
By Christopher Kelly for NJ Advance Media
“ELECTRIFYING! A superb new production.” – Charles Isherwood, The New Yorks
“Director Berlett Sher puts his stamp on one of the great broadway musicals.” – Joe Dziemianowicz, My Daily News
Featuring a talented cast, lavish orchestra, and stunning movement and dance from Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will introduce a new generation to the uplifting celebration that raises its cup to joy! To love! To life!