Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Brings Tradition to Tucson

Regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time, the Fiddler on the Roof comes to Tucson for the first time, making it the largest production the Arizona Theatre Company has produced in over thirty years, and it does not disappoint.

As we are taken to the small, fictional town of Anatevka in the year 1905 in pre-Revolutionary Tsarist Russia, we are shown three important themes as we move from scene to scene: faith, family, and tradition. As the charismatic, loveable narrator and father of five daughters, Tevye (Eric Polani Jensen) shows and tells us the importance of each before facing situations that challenge his belief system. As a poor milkman who does his best for his family, he knows he cannot provide a proper dowry for his daughters - that they would be married off to whom the matchmaker deemed fit. However, when three of his daughters break tradition, he is faced with difficult questions.

How much should one sacrifice for tradition and faith? Does it come with the cost of losing family? How should tradition and faith be sacrificed for family?

Fiddler has come to be known as a story of father and daughter, husband and wife, that has been told throughout the world for the last fifty-two years. It is a tale of a polarizing environment among people, one of which is still relevant today and one of which needs to be witnessed. Today's modern audience is still able to appreciate all of what this play has to offer and will perhaps walk away from this production with a greater sense of where they can draw strength in troubling times.

Through means of set design, music, and the choreographing of this 28 person case, the ATC has outdone itself in sharing this wonderful piece of musical history with its audience - truly a highlight for this year's magnificent 50th anniversary season.

The Arizona Theatre Company's 2016-2017 season is sponsored by I. Michael and Beth Kasser. This production of Fiddler on the Roof, which runs two hours and a half (with a fifteen intermission) is sponsored by Shirley Estes. Tickets start at $25 a piece. They can be purchased at the box office at the Temple of Music and Art (333 S. Scott Ave), online at www.arizonatheatre.org, or by calling the box office at (520) 622-2823. Discounted rates are available at all performances to seniors and active military members. Students can purchase rush tickets at $10 at all performances and half-price rush tickets are available for balcony seats one hour prior to curtain at the ATC box office.

Following Fiddler on the Roof will be La Esquinita, USA (January 14 - Feb 4); Ring of Fire (March 4 - 25); and closing the 2016-2017 season will be Jeffrey Hatcher's commissioned play by the ATC, Holmes and Watson (April 15 - May 6).

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