Fiddler on the Roof

The National Theater Washington, DC. 4/4/2010

In a time when we complain if our Starbucks isn’t made exactly right it seems impossible to relate to a character that accepts his fate and is grateful for his blessings as well as his burdens. How many of us could accept that his was the hand we’d been dealt and accept and embrace our lives as gifts from God? We curse and complain about traffic and bad waitresses’ and it would never occur to us to thank God for our lot. Despite how different our worlds are and that the story was set in a time over a century ago ‘Fiddler On The Roof’ is still relatable and believable and has lessons that are relevant for us today. The play starts off with the number ‘Tradition’ which is the thread that weaves throughout the storyline.

At first this concept seems so old fashioned and distant from how we live today but, there is something comforting in knowing your place and your path and where you fit in with your community. Though we watch Tevye and his family deal with life’s difficulties we have to wonder if having lost this in our busy, full of choices and anything goes society maybe we are the ones who are suffering? In our quest for freedoms and rights have we lost our sense of belonging? One clue to whether that is true is how easily the play captures the audience. We start out laughing along with Tevye as he finds humor in his simple, hardworking life. During the second act as we become attached to Tevye and his family we learn what their true fate is. Not just a working man’s life but a life full of sorrow as his family is pulled apart by the changing of time and the political climate of the world they live in. We become so enmeshed that sniffling could be heard from members of the audience as numbers such as ‘Sunrise Sunset’ touched the heart and soul and reminded us that though times change the human condition is timeless.

‘Fiddler On The Roof’ has an astounding cast including Harvey Fierstein as Tevye. His performance was phenomenal and is not to be missed. The entire cast bring believability and passion to the play. Fiddler runs from April 13-May 2 at The National Theater in Washington, DC.

Fiddler On The Roof was reviewed by Cynthia Tenicela for MusicBox Entertainment

MusicBox wishes to thank The National Theater in Washington, DC and the cast and crew of Fiddler On The Roof.

Copyright MusicBox Entertainment 2010