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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.
Harvey Fierstein was wonderful- he is a great actor and a pleasure to watch....however, this is a musical and the wonderful score did not add to the show:(
This was a very fun production and Harry Fierstein made it different and entertaining! The whole cast did a great job with their acting singing and dancing. The coordination of the different stage sets was seamless and very well done!
Fiddler on the Roof has fabulous music and the cast did a great job. It was hard to hear Harvey F. when he was talking. He needed a stronger microphone. Harvey's acting was superb and a class act. He knew how to add humor with a look on his face or his body language.
It was great! The whole family loved it! Harvey was super--great facial expressions.
It was one of the BEST i have seen, love the story
This performance of "Fiddler On The Roof" struck me as somewhat lackluster and lacking in heart. Harvey Fierstein looked the part and his acting was fine, but his voice did grate on my nerves a bit. He should just remain silent during the singing at Shabbat. His voice does not blend. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the show more if I had been sitting closer to the stage. It just didn't draw me in. In comparison, I recently saw "South Pacific" in the same theater and loved every minute because the cast felt so engergized and the lead was charismatic as well as talented. I would have been quite happy with this "Fiddler" production in my local theater at half the price, but from a San Francisco show on national tour I expect more. The whole cast seemed blase.
Saw Fiddler yesterday for the umteenth time . . . and have to say that Harvey Finestien was not great at Tevia - - - it is a huge role to play and his heart was in it, but his voice just didn't bring across the depth and emotion the character is meant to have. It seemed that even he shrugged at his own performance of If I Were A Rich Man, his body language saying, "well, that is the best i can do!" It was often difficult to even hear his words due to the high pitch of his voice. THe stage settings were amazing - the lighting incredible - and the music, well it made me cry yet again. Although it wasn't perfect -- I must admit it still hit the spot for me :)
Fiddler was fantastic. Went for a girls day out and it surpassed my expectations.
I was delighted with the play. I've never seen Fiddler on stage nor the movie. Harvey was outstanding as Tevye.
I only went to Fiddler On The Roof because my daughter was home from college for a short break. I thought, why not? I was worried that the story would be "too ethnic and possibly too dated." I was so wrong!!! It was the most amazing adventure into the lives of a family that lived in the early 1900's. It taught me a most important lesson—change is simply responsible living and loving. I was able to see my own stubborn ways and the joy of giving change a fair opportunity to re-invent my life and those around me. The acting, music, dancing, singing, laughing, and amazing story was an unforgettable experience. I even got used to the scratchy, harsh, rough, voice of the male lead. In fact, I began to love his voice and its reminder that he was just a man with special performance gifts and talents. He was hard working and a true entertainer. I even saw a bit of the real world in him. You MUST SEE it to believe it! Go today!! It is a fantastic musical experience!! A best buy for the family and a treasure for everyone!!
We were very much anticipating our first play in San Francisco...but were disappointed in Harry Fierstein's voice...it is so raspy that it is painful to hear! It was overall a pretty lackluster performance.
It was BORING! I fell asleep early in the performance & left at intermission.
I had worried that I wouldn't like Harvey Fierstein's voice and so was hesitant to go. So glad I went. He added so much humor to Tevye and really made the show enjoyable. It's a decent production but obviously a touring show with some noticeable weaknesses, but it has its moments, and I would definitely encourage friends semi-interested in it to go see it.
Excellent! Highly recommended for the entire family.
I have seen many productions of Fiddler on the Roof and this may have been the worst. We left at intermission which I have never done. Harvey F. is terribly miscast as Tevye. His screeching, scratchy drone ruins every song he participates in. When he sang, I burst out laughing and I don't think that I was alone. The rest of the cast is a little lifeless and there is nothing new or special about the staging, dancing or sets. I was so disappointed to spend so much money on what was not much better than your average high school production of this classic.
The new production of this old gem with Harvey Fierstein as Tevya is a brialliant peice of casting
This was my first experience with Fiddler on the Roof. I knew many of the songs from my childhood days in chorus (Tradition, Matchmaker and Sunrise Sunset). I had a smile on my face most of the night. Harvey Fierstein was very good. What he lacks in singing ability he more than makes up for with humor and stage presence. The rest of the cast is solid. Beautiful voices, great dancers.
A really great classic with a bit of humor. The audience was totally engaged, which you don't find unless the play is exceptional, and this was was! Would definitely recommend to family and friends.
The production is great, acting and singing bring this classic to life. Harvey Fierstein as Tevye makes it a wonderful experience.
Awesome, fast paced...the masterful characterizations were wonderful