Fiddler on the Roof Reviews

Dave The Curmudgeon Mausner from Chicago, Illinois

FIDDLER TAKES A HIKE

Note: I attended the 1964 first run in NYC. This is a comparative reflection. The cast of that run can be reviewed on Wikipedia. The production at Chicago's Cadillac Theater is technologically excellent. The costumes and set designs are simple, ingenious, and true to the original designer's intent: Anatevka was a bland and muddy outpost. The dance numbers are vigorous. The blocking, acting, and singing, while competent by modern standards, are restrained by an overall direction of sadness, isolation, and helplessness. The original played as a robust comedy, and one reason may be that the 1964 cast stars had actual Vaudeville experience. This production issues a disconcerting pessimism: lovers sing while standing at opposite sides of the stage like a 7-10 bowling split; Tevye and Golde's duet fails to read as a call and response; the Rabbi is played straight and not as an obvious comedy figure. Even the fiddler is missing his roof. You have no idea what you're missing.

Ann F. from Chicago, Illinois

VERY FLAT.

The opening "Tradition" was very strong and I was so excited for an amazing show bc I love this play!! Only to be let down by weak singing by all the male leads. Maybe it was their sound system bc all were hard to hear and sounded strained. The women were strong and Sasha was great! Yente's timing was consistently off. I am not sure why it was necessary to cast 2 obvious omen as men in the chorus. You can definitely tell they are women and it's distracting. I hate to say this, but I have seen amateur community theater productions that were better. I bought 6 tickets as xmas gifts for my family... and I wish I would have chosen Avenue Q instead.

Julie W from Costa Mesa, California

BLAND AND UNDERWHELMING

I organized a group of friends and family to see this personal sentimental favorite. To those who have no comparisons to draw upon, I can understand their delight. My impressions, however, are sadly underwhelmed. Who even cast these performers? The texture, comedic timing, power, range and timbre of the vocals was chronically distracting. Yente practically read her lines. Tevye was too young for the role. Good marks for the staging and special effects and loved the bottle dance. I value this story as my grandparents were exiled from a village much like Anetevka, I can assure you that there was definitely room to portray the emotional impact of that eviction and violence much, much better. I am glad this story is still being told and now being introduced to a new audience, but the potency leaves much to be desired.

M. Weber from Costa Mesa, California

UNEVEN

With a bang-up opening act, I expected much more from what turned out to be, dare I say, an insipid play. The orchestra played well, but the singing was not the best, especially the middle daughter. I enjoyed Teyve's character, but I had to guess at some of his lines, his vocal projection was not there. Yenta was so disappointing! Sounded like she was reading her lines and couldn't decide on which accent to use. Her timing was nonexistent. I found the lighting very muddy, the humor missing or muted, and the singing so-so. Just seemed like lots of missed opportunities to put on a good show.

from Columbus, Ohio

EH

This was ok. The actor who plays Tevye was clearly just repeating memorized lines with very little emotion. “If I were a rich man” was a huge let down, as well. He just really seemed so bored and sick of this. No feeling. Most of the actors gave off the same vibe…hurry up, we have to do this again, etc. It really took away from the show. Overall there was no feeling as the lines were being delivered. On a more pleasant note, The actors who played Perchik and Motel were excellent.

from Omaha, Nebraska

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.

Not normally a critic, I felt last night’s performance, Thursday, 10 February, had one major flaw. My husband and I were sitting on the north side of the stage in row three and could not hear what the actors and actresses were saying or singing. Perhaps the sound system was not working well, but I’ve been to other shows (season ticket holders) and could see and hear that the actors and actresses were not projecting their voices very well. I thought maybe it was just me that felt this way, but I was talking to a volunteer during the break, and three people walked by and said are you talking about not being able to hear what’s going on, and I said yes. They agreed and said it was a disappointment. So I don’t know if the problem was in the whole theater area or just down on the floor area. Try to imagine that you can’t hear the words. It ruined the whole play for the two of us, and we do not have hearing problems.

L. Kakish from Birmingham, AL

DISAPPOINTED

After seeing the show in NYC I was so looking forward to the show in Birmingham,AL. I purchased 9 tickets and invited family and friends expecting a great performance based on my previous experience. The show was very underwhelming from cast to voices to sound and talent. There was no heart and mediocre performers. It seemed more like a high school level performance. A total waste of time and money!

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