Fiddler on the Roof – The Kimmel Center

Fiddler on the Roof. Photo by Joan Marcus.

By Amanda VanNostrand.

The Kimmel Center is currently showing the nine-time Tony Award winning Fiddler on the Roof at the Academy of Music between now and October 28th. This classic is relatable and entertaining, providing the audience with both a window into the past as well as a mirror reflecting the present. Timeless pieces like this are hard to come by, but Fiddler on the Roof meets high standards that are surely set for such a well-known show.

Though classics originating years ago in far-off places (1905 Russia, for example) can occasionally lose their relevance to current times and ways, Fiddler on the Roof is not one of these. From the question of whether or not traditions should change with the times, to the reality of education giving people new ideas and questions about said traditions, and centuries of sexism leading up to issues of acceptable gender roles and etiquette, Fiddler on the Roof lends a pleasurable way of examining these age-old issues and realities while realizing that as much as time passes by, human nature remains the same. Whether this is purely reassuring or disturbing is up to each viewer. A grand reality is, however, that observers of this entertaining piece can choose to sit and simply enjoy a classic story without the headache of considering how history repeats itself, often times in the worst of ways.

Fiddler on the Roof. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Fiddler on the Roof takes place in Russia prior and leading up to the Bolshevik Revolution. Most characters in this show are Jewish and their customs and religion give the show much pizzazz! The main characters are the poor couple Golde and Trevye, Trevye being a dairyman. The two do not hold much of a fortune (as Trevye frequently sings about) and work extremely hard for what they do have. They have five daughters and tradition has it that they will arrange the marriages for each daughter to find a suitable (Jewish) man. As time passes and men with various levels of education and religious beliefs find their ways into the oldest three daughters’ lives, Trevye makes decisions based on (and despite) his beliefs and loyalty to tradition and the love he holds for his daughters and their wishes. Political unrest dictates the climate of Russia during this time and tradition seems to be mandatory. Characters must make choices and jump into the struggle of deciding whether loyalties should lie with custom and tradition or with the desire to see new times unfold with the hope of something better.

The cast of this show is fantastic. From the large group of talented Villagers to the main characters, the choreographed pieces are incredibly on point (Dance Arrangements by Oran Eldor). Most worthy of mention would have to be the main Yehezkel Lazarov as Tavye. His singing is excellent but the manner in which he acts the part brings the audience to feel the angst and urgency of his decisions, as his skills make his character both believable and worth rooting for. Also of mention is the music (Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick). This show begins with musical numbers that are sure to have been heard at some point by most of us, including, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and “If I Were A Rich Man”. As the music is combined with a sublime cast, each number presents entertainment at its best.

Fiddler on the Roof is a must-see. With each number holding an even better one to proceed it, this show is the perfect way to spend an upcoming October night.

 

Running Time: 2 hours and 55 minutes with one 15-minute intermission
Fiddler on the Roof will be playing at the Kimmel Center, The Academy of Music until October 28th, 2018. The theater is located at 240 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA. For tickets contact the box office at (215) 893-1999 or click here.