Cessy Newmon
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, winner of nine Tony Awards and the first show to surpass 3,000 performances on its inaugural run, opened at the Alhambra Theatre this week. Having had a sneak peek before the opening, I had high hopes, and the show did not disappoint.
Set in the mythical town of Anatevka, USSR, the story is based on real-life experiences as told by Sholom Aleichem in a series of short stories. The backdrop is the era of pogroms when the Soviets were persecuting and evicting the Jews from their homes.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is told through the eyes of Tevye (Tod Booth), who is the papa of a household with five daughters. This is a giant role both in the amount of stage time and personality needed to pull it off, and Mr. Booth more than does it justice. He opens with the Fiddler (Idan Barr) talking about their little town and how it’s held together with Tradition. It’s those traditions of faith and family that are challenged through a time of upheaval.
In those days, children married young, and it was through arranged marriages. The eldest daughter had to be matched before the next child in line was eligible. The village matchmaker, Yente (Patti Eyler), calls on Tevye’s wife, Golde (Lisa Valdini Booth), to tell her that the village butcher, Lazar Wolf (Allan Baker), wants to marry the eldest daughter.
The problem is that the eldest daughter, Tzeitel (Sarah Warshavsky), is in love with the poor local taylor, Motel (Bear Manescalchi). The two convince Tevye to allow them to marry, which is the first break with tradition. Taking it a step further, the second daughter, Hodel (Natalie Drake), tells her father that she is marrying Perchik (Alexander Blanco), who is leaving Anatevka and plans to send for her. The biggest break comes when Chava (Sofia Smith) elopes with Fyedka (Melvin Nash), a Russian who is outside of their faith.
I wish I had time and space to comment on each, plus the numerous other named roles in the cast, but it would take pages. The voices were all wonderful and they sounded so good together. The acting was top-notch. And Shain Stroff did not go easy on the choreography. It was truly impressive.
Director Jessie Booth went with a very simple set that only changed by opening a flap on one side to go from the exterior to the interior of Tevye’s house. A few complementary pieces, like Tevye’s milk cart or a table and benches, and the scene has changed.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF runs August 3rd – Sept 17, 2023, at the Alhambra Theatre, 12000 Beach Blvd., June 8-July 30, 2023. Ticket prices vary based on show and seating. The show is already 70% sold out with seating available towards the end of the run. For reservations, go to alhambrajax.com or call (904) 641-1212.
By Cessy Newmon
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