Timeless 'Fiddler' captures family, tradition
By JULIE McHALE - TimeOut Theater Critic
Oct 20, 2016 Updated Jan 24, 2020
Timeless 'Fiddler' captures family, tradition
Sunset Playhouse's production does justice to a powerful classic
Playing three of Tevye's daughters are, from left, Maya Schimelfenyg (Shprintze), Katie Katschke (Tzeitel) and Aubrey Shaw (Bielke) in Sunset Playhouse's "Fiddler on the Roof.
ELM GROVE - Since its inception in 1964, the collaborative musical venture "Fiddler on the Roof," launched by Jerry Bock, Joseph Stein and Sheldon Harnick, continues to resonate with audiences for many reasons. There will always be power moves upon a given ethnic or religious population; there will always be refugees who must flee to survive; and there will always be xenophobic reactions against those that a given group perceives as unacceptable.
"Fiddler" certainly has a sobering side, but accompanying the political and religious aspects of the narrative, the musical is also a family story about tradition and community. It is accessible to all of us. It deals with trying to make ends meet, with marital challenges, and with the parameters of parent-children relationships. The fiddler on the roof (nicely played by Caroline Klinker) is a metaphor for the precarious nature of human existence and the need to find joy even under dire conditions.
Without a charming, humorous, passionate, engrossing Tevye, this show would be dead on arrival. Not to worry. Rick Richter has all the ingredients to make this story come alive. He is a perfect fit. It has been a joy to watch this actor/singer develop over the years.
Beyond the thought-provoking story, the show is rich with many unforgettable tunes. The opener, "Tradition," immediately grabs us with a strong solo by Tevye, accompanied by a hefty ensemble of voices. We're already hooked even before Richter follows this impressive number with "If I Were a Rich Man." Tevye spends a lot of time bemoaning his fate and talking to God as though he were a close friend, even though he doesn't always understand God's moves.
Several other songs that move us with their beauty and poignancy are "The Sabbath Prayer," "Sunrise, Sunset" and "Do You Love Me?" The latter two explore the nature of marital love and the bittersweet role of parenting. Most of us have struggled with those challenges.
The marriages of Tevye and Golde's three oldest daughters - Tzeitel's to a poor tailor; Hodel's, to a radical student working to change the Russian czar's regime; and Chava's to a non-Jew - all throw poor Tevye into a tizzy, but he learns that he must let them go or lose them. Parental expectations and children's choices are often at odds.
Golde, as portrayed by Susan Loveridge, though not as strong as Tevye in the singing department, is credible in the role. Of the three daughters, Hodel (Morgen Aria Clarey) has the most beautiful voice, and Derrick Karas as Motel and Trevor Waltho II as Perchik were strongest in their roles as suitors of Tzeitel and Hodel. The matchmaker played by Coleen Tutton gives us a delightful portrayal as Yente.
Madeleine Keane as Chava is a very graceful dancer and Santana Vannarath is well-suited to deliver a flawless bottle dance. Occasionally the orchestra and vocalists were not in perfect synch, but the show was exceptional, nonetheless.
All in all, Sunset Playhouse sets out a stunning production as directed by Diana Alioto with help from music director Mark Mrozek. It is a classic story, one that will probably live on for another 50 years.
AT A GLANCE
"Fiddler on the Roof"
The musical runs through through Nov. 6 at Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove. Call 262-782-4430 or visit SunsetPlayhouse.com.
