BWW Reviews: Encore Dinner Theatre Has a FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

For those unfamiliar with Joseph Stein's book, and Bock and Harnick's precious score, I will say a few words. The Jewish culture in the Little Village of Anatevka, Russia in 1905 was about to change with the dawn of the Russian Revolution. Tevye (Cliff Senior) and Golde (Jenny Wentworh) have three daughters: Tzeitel (Katherine Tracy), Hodel (Abigail Schwartz) and Chava (Erica Schaeffer). In the Jewish tradition, all three wish to be married under a canopy with a rabbi and family in attendance. Tzeitel marries Motel the tailor (Charlie Myers) in this traditional way, but Hodel falls in love with a radical thinker, teacher Perchik (Brock Joseph), not from Anatevka, and Chava with Fyedka (Taylor Simmons), a Russian soldier who is not of her faith. Hodel leaves for Siberia to be with the imprisoned Perchik, and Chava is shunned by Tevye, who refuses to bend further to accept her liaison. Tevye is a dirt poor dairy farmer who wants wealth "If I Were a Rich Man", not only for himself, but for his daughters. He strikes a bargain with butcher Lazar Wolf (Glenn Reis) to wed Tzeitel, but Lazar is old, not Tzeitel's choice. Tevye compromises reluctantly with Motel as a son-in-law, but it is difficult for him to accept Hodel's radically different wishes...and impossible to accept Chava's. Eventually, with the onset of the revolution, the family is forced to gather their belongings and move on. Tevye remarks, "Maybe this is why we always wear our hats." Throughout history the persistent injustice toward the Jews uprooted them. Enough said about plot and theme.

There are two ways to play Tevye, either in a very big, broad manner as did the original Zero Mostel or more pulled-in, suffering, let the chips fall where they may like Topol. It makes sense, as for the most part, Tevye is easy-going, constantly weighing his choices: his consistent use of the phrase on the other hand gradually leads to an agreement or compromise. I have seen Tevye played big and subdued. Mostel was an expert comedian and really brought out the humor in the piece. Topol concentrated more on the character's inner feelings, but his playing of the role was equally winning. Cliff Senior, like Topol and reminding me a bit of Walter Slezak, has a low-key approach to the part, and he and his real life wife Jenny Wentworth do extreme justice to both Tevye and Golde. They are obviously comfortable with each other, and their chemistry works beautifully onstage. "Do You Love Me?" really sparks.

In the supporting cast, Tracy, Schwartz and Schaeffer give solid performances as Tzeitel, Hodel andChava. Myers, Joseph and Simmons are equally fine as their suitors. Simmons is one terrific dancer to boot. Reis as Lazar Wolf, Chrissie Oppedisano as matchmaker Yente, Robin Walton as Rabbi, Joshua Youngs as Fiddler and Matthew Ballestero as Mendel - he can really hold that musical note! - all lend great support.

Michael Lopez does a fine job staging, and his choreography with the Bottle Dance and L'Chaim "To Life" sequence are just super. Jimmy Mulligan has achieved an excellent look of simplicity as set designer and costumes by Jenny Senior have just the right countrified impoverished appearance.

This is a wonderful production, perfect for the entire family, particularly with Thanksgiving close at hand. Fiddler's appreciation of values and man's struggle for survival is something that young children should be exposed to. Bravo to cast and creative team, one and all!

For more information, visit encoredinnertheatre.com/home.

Photo Credit: Jimmy Mulligan