The Broadway classic
”
Fiddler On The Roof
”
was the winner of nine 1965 Tony Awards and the 1965 New York
Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. It’s with that legacy
that
”
Fiddler
”
comes to us with heartwarming honesty and innocence. Originally
opened on Sept. 24, 1964, ‘Fiddler
”
is playing to a new generation and is the ninth longest running
show in Broadway musical history.
The Broadway classic “Fiddler On The Roof” was the winner of nine 1965 Tony Awards and the 1965 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. It’s with that legacy that “Fiddler” comes to us with heartwarming honesty and innocence. Originally opened on Sept. 24, 1964, ‘Fiddler” is playing to a new generation and is the ninth longest running show in Broadway musical history.
A magnificent score brings us “Matchmaker, Matchmaker”, “Tradition”, “Sunrise Sunset”, “Do You Love Me?” and “If I Were A Rich Man” by composer and lyricist Jerry Bock. The story for stage was created by Joseph Stein. “Fiddler” was beautifully adapted for film in 1971, winning three Academy Awards and two Golden Globes.
Veteran actor John Preece, as Tevye, the poor, philosophical village milkman, talks with God on a best friend basis while still holding on to his deeply religious instincts. Preece brings credibility to the role that he has played more than 1,500 times. His timing in areas that could be so overdone are handled masterfully and carried off with believable, lovable class.
The story is based on Sholem Aleichem’s collection of stories called “Tevye’s Daughters”. It is a tale about the trials and tribulations of Tevye and his five daughters, who live in Tsarist, Russia in 1905. They are sitting on the edge of inevitable pogrom and revolution.
The threads of tradition, rebellion, bigotry and love are woven into a warm, charming story of survival and an ability to be flexible in almost everything. Tevye knows things are changing and he knows he must reluctantly change with the times. He does this with great difficulty and good-natured mental manipulation.
The original, enthusiastic Jerome Robbins’ choreography has been deftly transferred to this delightful national touring company. The show moves at a fast pace and scenes appear to blend into one another like a rainbow that keeps changing colors.
“Fiddler On The Roof” brings tradition to the theatre, and Preece has definitely become a part of that tradition. Take the whole family for a joyous and poignant romp into this era of balancing like a fiddler on the roof, and perhaps some children will leave the theatre with a gentle first lesson in tolerance.
***
‘Fiddler On The Roof’
Where: The San Jose Center For The Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose
When: March 15 – 20
Tickets: $20 – $79
Details: (408) 792-4111 or visit www.sjtix-.com
