What is it about this old musical that always makes me happy and sad and want to dance and want to help solve the problems raised – when I know how it will end, and especially when today’s political situation makes me wonder whether the world will ever be a happy place again?
“Fiddler on the Roof,” based on a series of stories by Sholem Aleichem written in Yiddish in the late 19th-early 20th centuries (and based on his own upbringing near modern-day Kiev), was first produced in Yiddish in 1919 and made into a film in the 1930s. It went through various versions until it was finally produced off-Broadway.
But enough history. The great news is that San Diego Musical Theatre has a wondrous fine version on its stage through March 10. This is a big cast of excellent singers, actors and dancers, directed brilliantly by Omri Schein.
The play, written in 1905, takes place in Anatevka, a little town (called the Pale of Settlement) in Imperial Russia in or around 1905. It is based on tales by Sholem Aleichem and his upbringing near modern-day Kiev. First produced on Broadway in 1964, it has become a staple of the American theater.
Matthew Henerson tells the story as Tevye, and he is outstanding, managing to make the audience feel the responsibility Tevye feels. Fortunately, the music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick help him put the story across and make it difficult for people like me not to sing along. It’s one of those musicals.
“Fiddler” is really about tradition and change. The Jews of Anatevka have until now been left alone and allowed to keep to their own traditions. But now Russian politics are changing and Anatevka will have to adapt. Or perhaps worse things will happen.
But we start with things as they are. The (non-playing) fiddler is seen often, pretending to play his violin, perhaps to remind us that “without our traditions, we would be no better than a fiddler on the roof.”
Tevye tells us the story, and his wife Golde (Debra Wanger) tries to keep tabs on and find suitable husbands for their five delightful daughters.
We’ll meet all those daughters and the other residents of Anatevka, such as the matchmaker and general busybody Yente (D. Candis Paule) and the rabbi (Elliott Goretsky), and a few of the men who are looking for wives.
But change is in the offing, as we find out with the arrival of handsome Russian student Perchik (Kenny Bordieri) from Kiev, who offers radical opinions that don’t comport with either current Russian political thought or the notions of these Jewish residents.
How will it end? You’ll have to see it to find out. And please do. Even the nonhuman elements, like Mike Buckley’s set design, Michelle Miles’ lighting and Jordan Gray’s sound designs are first-rate.
The details
“Fiddler on the Roof” plays through March 10, 2024 at San Diego Musical Theatre, 4653 Mercury Street, San Diego.
Shows Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Tickets: (858) 560-5740 or www.sdmt.org
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