BWW Reviews: BroadHollow's FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

The wildly successful, multi Tony Award winning musical Fiddler on the Roof first opened on Broadway in 1964 and has certainly become a staple among the local theatre community. BroadHollow's production, running through October 6th at their BayWay location, has certainly made this incarnation their own. Directed by Glen J. Beck, this cast will also play their Elmont location from October 26th through November 10th.

The story centers on Tevye, portrayed wonderfully by Tim Conway, and his attempts to maintain his family's religious traditions while outside influences interfere. "Attempt" is an understatement as he must cope both with the strong-minded actions of his three oldest daughters who's each choice of husbands moves further away from their Jewish customs. This is in addition to dealing with an increasingly intervening government. For an emotional performance otherwise, toes were certainly tapping during his performance of "If I Were a Rich Man" and "To Life"

The book, by Joseph Stein, is based on the novel Tevye and his Daughters by Sholem Aleichem. They have two casts for the daughters and I was lucky to see the Sunrise Cast - that name inspired by the beautiful song "Sunrise, Sunset" in Act One. The daughters for Saturday's performance were Danielle Zito as Tzeitel, Grace O'Neil as Hodel, Katy Apolostolico as Chava, Kassy Kueffner as Shprintze, and Samantha Hmelovsky as Bielke. All of the girls did a delightful job and received a loud round of applause for their performance of the popular song "Matchmaker"

With society changing, Tevye's frustrations grow throughout the two act production. He is supposed to be "the man of the house" and oversee everything including who his daughters marry - this is Russia in 1905, mind you. For example, he arranges a marriage between his eldest, Tzeitel, and Lazar Wolf, the butcher, portrayed by Michael H. Carlin. What Tevye is not aware of is she has fallen for Motel Kamzoil, the tailor, portrayed by Daniel Pietruszka. After a very stern fight with Tzeitel, he grudgingly calls off the agreement with Lazar at his daughter's call.

Also among the cast portraying Golde, Tevye's wife, is the fabulous Mary Ellin Kurtz. Ms. Kurtz, celebrating twenty nine years with BroadHollow, gave Golde a feisty personality - another society change - and had great chemistry with Mr. Conway. Indeed an audience favorite was "Do You Love Me", a duet with Mr. Conway.

Another favorite performance was by Cathy Chimenti as Fruma-Sarah, Lazar's departed wife. Tevye has to tell Golde - without getting her distressed- that he has called off their daughter's marriage to Lazar so he conjures up a scheme. Pretending to be scared awake, Tevye "describes" the dream to Golde and said dream is reenacted around them. Ms Chimenti appears as a ghost figure who becomes enraged that her husband plans on marrying Tzeitel. With an enormous wig of grey, straggly hair, ghoulish make-up, and taken around the stage on a rolling platform, Ms. Meckes definitely made it one of more comical points of the show.

Additional kudos to Melissa Spinelli in her main stage chorographical debut. The cast was on point as they went through each of their performances - some uplifting, some more poignant.

And so BroadHollow has another superb show on their hands. This will refresh your taste for the classic if you haven't seen it in a while or, for some, will be an enjoyable showing if you haven't seen it before. A great, emotional show and a wonderful cast make for a fulfilling night of theatre.

Fiddler On The Roof is presented by the BroadHollow Theatre Company through October 6th at the BayWay Theatre then their Elmont location from October 26th through November 10th. Book by Joseph Stein, Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Directed by Glen Beck, Musical Direction by Ben Weiss, Choreography by Melissa Spinelli, and Stage Management by Jenifer Pritchard, Costume Design by Jason Allyn, Lighting Design by Hemraj Budhram, and Set Design by Bob Butterly. For more information and to purchase tickets please call (631) 581-2700 or visit broadhollow.org.

Photos by Janette Pelligrini

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