No more results on this page
Fiddler on the Roof on Tour
In Broadway terms, Fiddler on the Roof is a tradition unto itself. The much-loved story of Tevye the milkman's struggle to reconcile old Jewish ways with the modern world opened on Broadway in 1964 and held the record for longest-running musical — with 3,242 performances until it closed in 1970 — for nearly 10 years. The blockbuster won nine Tony Awards — including best musical, direction, and choreography — and has been revived on Broadway five times.
Producer Harold Prince hired director-choreographer Jerome Robbins to bring Sholom Aleichem's turn-of-the-19th-century Yiddish tales of life in the Anatevka shtetl, where existence is "as precarious as a fiddler on the roof," to the stage. Jerry Bock's music and Sheldon Harnick's lyrics illuminated the fading world of East European Jewry, while Joseph Stein's book brought a humorous taste of Jewish comedy's borscht belt. Painter Marc Chagall's blend of Jewish traditionalism and artistic modernism inspired the show's memorable look. Zero Mostel played Tevye, and Beatrice Arthur, of Maude television fame, portrayed Yente the matchmaker.
The most recent revival arrived in 2015, when director Bartlett Sher enhanced the show's authenticity with the help of Israeli-born choreographer Hofesh Shechter. The New York Times praised the new production as "superb" while noting how it recaptured the foot-stomping, hand-waving energy of the original.
Sher's revival, now on tour with Yehezkel Lazarov as Tevye and Maite Uzal as his wife Golde, is delighting audiences with celebratory songs like "Tradition," "If I Were a Rich Man," and "To Life (L'Chaim)," as well as beautiful melodies of love and loss such as "Sunrise, Sunset" and "Far From the Home I Love."
As part of a trend that began with The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof fans are dressing up as Anatevkans and belting out tunes during screenings of the show's 1971 film adaptation. Their participatory zeal reflects the devotion the musical has inspired and the power of its music.
"What can we do?" asks Tevye of Golde during a moment of doubt. "It's a new world." One solution is to return to the source for cultural renewal. We may not experience the same problems as shtetl Jews in 1905 did, but Fiddler on the Roof assures us that almost any difficulty can be surmounted with great music and exuberant dancing.
Absolutely fantastic- everything about it was wonderful. Harvey was amazing, the other actors great- the singing beautiful and moving, the sets creative, the dancing wonderful. I was totally taken- and thrilled. I cried or laughed throughout the entire play. A fabulous memory.
Fiddler on the Roof was very memorable and a good story. Harvey Fierstein was great as one would expect and the supporting cast was just as good.
If you haven't seen it live, then go. First, let me note that I LOVE musicals so you understand my prejudice. I also love Harvey Fierstein ever since Mrs. Doubtfire. He brought back some of the fun and clowning Zero brought to Tevya. But, while I love his speaking voice for its difference, it was hard to hear clearly at times even though we were in Row G simply because it is what it is. Overall the most perfectly cast other significant character was Mottel the tailor. Perfect look, voice and natural performance. All chorus numbers were outstanding. I didn't give it a 5 because I've seen the play with the original road company, and about 12 other Tevya's in addition to Topol. Overall it lacked a certain snap to put it in the Amazing category.
I had read many complaints about Harvey Fiersteins voice so we came to the show a little uncertain. After him being on stage for five minutes we realized this was not a problem .His acting was breathtaking!
Harvey had the character down, but not the voice. Too bad, overall the show was good.
Perhaps we've seen too many great productions in Manhattan, but Fiddler at the Golden Gate was a disappointment. It could have been very good high school theatre, but was not 'Broadway' class. Harvey Fierstein's overly broad rendition of Tevye was maybe to cover his utter lack of a singing voice. He certainly chewed the scenery in the process. There were some lovely voices, particularly amongst the women cast members, & the dancers were splendid. And the power of that wonderful music never ceases to arouse the emotions.
I've waited years to see Fidler and was not disappointed. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Harvey was engaging, moving, and funny. He owned the stage.
I enjoyed the show tremendously. I wouldn't mind seeing it all over!
Harvey Fierstein may look like Tevye but he sounds like Popeye and was painful to listen to, that is when he could be heard. I feel so bad for the cast as they were superb. The set was awsome. Harvey completely ruined my favorite musical. I will have to watch the movie several times to get that Froggy voice out of my head.
the lead can't sing. and then he hammed up his acting. rent a dvd and stay home.
We regularly see plays in New York, London and now San Francisco. Harvey Fierstein and Susan Cella were terrific. We enjoyed every scene where they took the lead. However the supporting staff was very weak. While the singing was strong, the acting was terribly disappointing.
Two friends, such as they are, recently reviewed their Fiddler experience at a dinner party. They slammed everything from the beautiful Golden Gate Theater to Harvey Fiersteins lead role. Coupled with a mixed review from the Contra Costa Times we entered the theater wary of what was ahead. It only took the opening song to appease our fears and set the tone for a delightful evening of life in Anatevkya. Harvey was absolutely authentic and captivating in the lead role. The cast, from first to last, was everything seasoned theater goers expect from the stage. This revival of Fiddler is absolutely fantastic and owes no an apology for any part of the venue or performance. It is a must see!
I do not understand the negative reviews of Harvey Fierstein in the SF Chron since we thought he was wonderful. The play was well done, dancing and singing was great--thought Harvey was a warm, wonderful character.
What and enjoyable event..we laughed and cried..fantastic
Having seen Fiddler several times over the years I was wondering if there would be any fresh way to present it - yes! Harvey Fierstein played Tevye with just the right mix of sympathy and humor. I found myself laughing at one scene and wiping tears from my eyes the next. Go see it - you won't be disappointed!
TERRIBLE! We left at intermission. The lead didn't sing, he only croaked. Don't waste your time and money!
Very good rendition of fiddler on the roof. Recommend it to anyone who likes musicals/theatre.
Harvery Fierstein is just awful. His voice is harsh, muffled, and scratchy. It is impossible to understand what he is saying, and he can't sing. Whatever his disability ( ?smoking related) he was put into this show to sell as a name, not because anyone had any respect for the material in great musical. The rest of the cast is quite good, especially the mother, and the production values are above average. Choreography and comic timing are both excellent throughout.The material and songs can withstand a lot of abuse because they are so good, but the casting choices reflect a fundamental disrespect for the San Francisco audience.
We took our pre bar mitzvah grandson to see and learn some of our family history. He was enchanted. We laughed,we experienced the power of art to reach in and touch the soul. I cried while appaluding. I am reminded of my favorite quotations from the Talmud, (which I just made up,ala Tevia,)"Just because it's in the newspaper, dosen't mean that it's true!'" Go see the show Bubbala, you will be glad that you did! You will even get the chance to give Tzadakah and help Hati! There is no other hand on this, sez this 80 year old Zaide and his wife and grandson.
MY DAUGHTER AND I ENJOYED THIS PLAY SO MUCH. GREAT CAST.