Fiddler on the Roof: A Strong Tradition

By Noel Smith

Cabrillo Stage once again proved that it has one of the finest creative teams this side of Broadway and a talent pool second to none. The Creative Team deserves sincere accolades for a Broadway-quality production. (A friend said she saw the current Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof and prefers Cabrillo Stage’s version.)

Based on Tevye and his Daughters (or Tevye the Dairyman) and other tales by Sholem Aleichem, this is a musical that both entertains and educates at extraordinary levels. Set in Russia in 1905, the village of Anatevka with Tevye, a poor dairyman, his wife Golde, his five daughters and the residents of this Jewish settlement all come alive with its music, philosophy, the clash of Tradition with social change, and finally forced emigration.

If you haven’t experienced this tale of change and challenge performed live, you have the opportunity to see one of the best stage productions of this classic.

The story revolves around Tevye played by Adam Campbell who gives a nonpareil performance from curtain rise to curtain fall. His physical presence, singing and acting all combine to bring the depth and breadth that this part demands especially with the signature, “If I Were a Rich Man.”

Tevye has five daughters and has been married 25 years to his wife Golde (Marianne Thompson). Tevye and Golde didn’t meet each other until the day of their wedding. That’s how it was done according to The Creative Team deserves sincere accolades for a Broadway-quality production. (A friend said she saw the current Broadway revival and prefers Cabrillo Stage’s version.) – arranged marriages using the services of a Matchmaker (Yente, played by Alice Hughes).

The daughters — oldest to youngest — Tzeitel (Brenna Salmon), Hodel (Marina Hallin), Chava (Jennie Chapman), Shprintze (Stoli Wolfgang) and Bielke (Thandi Rose). They all have expectations of not looking for a future husband, but of having one assigned to them. That’s when social change runs into Tradition as the three older daughters find themselves wanting to make their own choices thereby colliding with the beliefs of Tevye, their father.

The singing and dancing of the first act are both uplifting and poignant culminating with the wedding of Tzeitel and Motel (Ryan Fish) to the moving music and lyrics of “Sunrise, Sunset.” However, as the outside world and its set of invading values and prejudices become the theme of the second act, the mood changes and Tevye and Golde sing, “Do You Love Me?”

Fiddler’s great musical numbers include: “ Tradition” – Tevye and the Company • “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” – Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava • “If I Were a Rich Man” – Tevye • “Sabbath Prayer” – Tevye, Golde and the Company • “To Life” – Tevye, Lazar Wolf (Michael Stark) and the Company • “Sunrise, Sunset” – Tevye, Golde, Perchik (Jordan Sidfield), Hodel and the Company • “The Bottle Dance” – Instrumental • “Do You Love Me?” – Tevye and Golde.

Cabrillo Stage Production Directed & Choreographed by Kikau Alvaro • Musical Director Jon Nordgren • Scenic Designer Skip Epperson • Lighting Designer Kyle Grant • Costume Designer Maria Crush • Sound Designer William Latham

Book by Joseph Stein • Music by Jerry Bock • Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick • Original New York Production Directed & Choreographed by Jerome Robbins • Produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince • Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl. The original Broadway production of the show opened in 1964 and was the first musical theatre in history to surpass 3,000 performances during its run.