Thomas Fiscella is Tevye in ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’ (photo by Ed Krieger)
The Tony Award-winning “Fiddler on the Roof” is being presented with polish and aplomb by the Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities.
With a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, the show - during Saturday night opening performance - seemed as amusing, poignant and significant as it did 45 years ago.
Based on Sholom Aleichem’s short story “Tevye and His Daughters,” the protagonist, Tevye, must deal with his rapidly changing and chaotic world on the eve of Russia’s revolutionary period. His three eldest daughters’ choice in husbands challenge his tradition, faith and hope for a better reality. Simultaneously humorous and heartbreaking, Tevye attempts to create order in a chaotic and, at times, a violent world; he is a man torn between religious dogma and the unconditional love he feels for his daughters. Painfully, he comes to realize concerning his daughters’ marital choices, that the heart has reasons that reason knows nothing of and tradition as well as faith must be pushed to the breaking point for there to be a sincere and heartfelt hope for tomorrow.
The songs and lyrics are hard-wired to our collective conscious; however, presented in the proper context each song originates from an organic response to the human condition, which gives the music, lyrics and performances a spontaneity and freshness. “Tradition,” “Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Miracle of Miracles,” “Sunrise, Sunset” and “Do You Love Me” are songs that emotionally connected the audience with the players during Saturday evening’s performance. Through the triumph and tragedy of the action, each song became a window into the soul of the character’s emotional experience on stage.
Director Jon Engstrom finds moments between actors that create a tangible and profound feeling of family and communal unity, an energy that can be felt across the proverbial foot lights. He has also assembled a company of actors fully committed to the trials and tribulations of a small Russian Jewish village. Thomas Fiscella, Victoria Strong, Stephen Reynolds, Arlene Thomas, Carly Nykanen, Deidre Haren, Michaela Leigh, Richard Israel, Kelby Thwaits and Jason Webb inject new blood and originality into their canonized roles. A gifted ensemble of singers and dancers fills out a company deep with talent. Dennis Castellano returns to CLOSBC with his exceptional men and women in the pit. Castellano and his orchestra find the power and melodious charm in the Bock score. The CLOSBC production team creates the perfect setting with the appropriate Chagall influences.
Without great theater like this, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof. This is a show that should not be missed..
