“one of the first popular post-Holocaust depictions of the vanished world of Eastern European Jewry.” Alisa Solomon
“Fiddler On the Roof” performed in Yiddish had its’ West Coast premiere this past September 13th and 14th at The Soraya at Northridge College. The National Yiddish Theater Folkbeine’s production opened to great acclaim on Broadway in 2018 only to be shut down due to the pandemic. Now, the Los Angeles audience has had the good fortune to see many of the original cast members in this “Concert Production.” Directed by Multi Award winner Joel Grey. This is a unique and compelling telling of an important American musical.
Male cast of “Fiddler on the Roof” – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
With music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein, this trio of Tony Award winners, created a show based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem. Set in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia, Tevye a milkman attempts to keep his Jewish traditions alive as his family of daughters thwart his determination and marry for love. Set in 1905 they are evicted from their poor village by the Tsar thus forcing the exodus, exile and death of many as they made their way forward.
This simply staged version of a sure-fire show is both terrifically well-presented and slightly lacking at the same time. The use of Yiddish adds authenticity, the use of the well-placed supertitles does not distract and before long one falls into the rhythm of the language. Does it add to the show? I’m not sure as the original show was written in English and this is itself a translation.
The curtain is up as we take our seats revealing a large backdrop with an eleven-piece band seated upstage. Led by conductor Zalem Mlotek, they are a constant and terrific support to the show. Played with a nod to Jewish klezmer music the band becomes the background to the life of the shetl.
Steven Skybell (Tevye) in “Fiddler on the Roof” – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
The show begins with solo fiddler, Lauren Jeanne Thomas, standing atop a rooftop in tribute to Marc Chagall, playing with emotional passion and nostalgic magic. She plays throughout the show as a nostalgic conduit to what is to come. Enter Tevya the milkman played with skill and likeability by Steven Skybell who understands both the humor and the pathos of this everyman character. His version of the iconic “Tradition” is supported by a large ensemble of twelve men and twelve women all who play various characters throughout. The staging is simple but the expert choral work makes up for the lack of movement. From here we are led through the story of Tevya as his daughters marry for love leaving behind their “Traditions” leading to both amusing and heartrending familial conflict.
Jennifer Babiak (Golde) and Steven Skybell (Tevye) in “Fiddler on the Roof” – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
The timeless Bock/Harnick score is chock full of melodious tunes including “Shadkhnte, Shadkhnte,” commonly known as “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.” This introduces the three older marriageable sisters Tsaytl, Rachel Zatcoff, Hodl, Yael Eden Chanukov, and Khave, Rosie Jo Needy, as they pine for a match made from love. All sing well and bring believability to their characters though their male counterparts do not fare as well. Perhaps because of the editing in making this a concert show, the potential grooms do not seem as well developed and we miss the tension brought by these impulsive and even dangerous marriages.
The now iconic “If I Were a Rich Man,” an audience pleaser in any language and Tevye’s show stopper, is well performed by Skybell. As is the powerful “Lekhayim,” “To Life” as sung by Tevye, the townsmen and a powerful Samuel Druhora, the butcher, who believes he is about to wed Tsaytl.
Steven Skybell (Tevye), Jennifer Babiak (Golde) and Jodi Snyder (Fruma) in “Fiddler on the Roof” – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
Ironically, this promise is followed by “Miracle of Miracles” a song of thanks to good fortune sung by Motl, Kirk Geritano, when his wish to marry Tsaytl for love is granted, much to Tevye’s chagrin. And there is the evergreen “Sunrise Sunset” or “Tog-ayn Tog-gy” movingly sung by the cast as the wedding transpires. Act One closes with “Wedding Dance” a joyful celebration for the newlyweds and the townsfolk. Understandably missing in this concert version is Jerome Robbins brilliant and iconic “Bottle Dance” which when done perfectly absolutely brings the house down. However, in place of this Director Grey cleverly added a clarinet solo, masterfully performed by Dmiti Zisl Slepovitch and though this could not replace the dance it was a smart and interesting addition.
Act II brings more strife to Tevye and his wife Golde, an exceptional Jennifer Babiak, as their daughters find love and marriage outside of the traditional expectations leaving them lost and wondering. “Do you Love Me?” beautifully expresses these feelings and is not only a gorgeous song but a true questioning of married love. “The Rumor” or “Der Klang” is a hilariously gossipy song as sung by the droll Lisa Fishman as Yente, a matchmaker and rumormonger. The ensemble is used throughout and beautifully fulfill the roles of villagers and more. Though dance is limited Grey has staged this rendering simply, creating powerful pictures along the way. The singing is lovely throughout and when the full chorus rises together, they bring chills.
Yael Eden Chanukov (Hodl) and Drew Seigla (Pertshik) in “Fiddler on the Roof” – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
The final forced exodus does not have quite the feeling of desolation that might be expected as the villagers, Tevye and his remaining family make their slow walk into the unknown. The ending to this concert version felt shortened and perhaps rushed so that the final moments did not hit with the emotional punch one might imagine. Still overall, this was a stalwart version of a timeless show.
Kudos must be given to Actor, Dancer, Singer, Director, Tony Award winner, Academy Award winner, Golden globe winner, Joel Grey who at 93 not only directed this show but flew to LA, oversaw this production, watched his show from the house, took a bow on the Soraya stage, and got a much-deserved standing ovation. He is a legend we are lucky to have in our midst.
Steven Skybell (Tevye) in “Fiddler on the Roof” – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
The cast not mentioned above were; Drew Seigla, Griffith Frank, Bobby Underwood, Carly Post, Glenn Rosenblum, Jodi Snyder, James Monore Stevko, Mikhl Yashinsky, John Reed, Michael Azar, Jessica Fishenfeld, Michael P. McDonald, Rachel Oremland, Rachel Policar, Bryan Vickery, and Brook Wetterhahn.
The top-notch musicians were; Conductor, Zalmen Mlotek, Sara Parkins, Caleb Vaughn-Jones, Sara Andon, Dan Fornero, Alan Kaplan, Brian Silverman, John Sawoski, Gee Rabe, Petere Saleh and Tim Christiansen and the aforementioned Dmiti Zisl Slepovtich.
For more information about The National Yiddish Theatre Folkbeine, please visit their website.
For more information about The Soraya, please visit their website.
Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Steven Skybell (Tevye) in “Fiddler on the Roof” – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.
