WHAT: Fiddler On The Roof
WHERE: Rochester Opera House
BLURB: An Outstanding Production
HIGH POINT: Everything!
This Fiddler On The Roof, at the Rochester Opera House, is a triumph.
Few productions, even impeccable ones, bear what can only be described as a personality. More than mood, or tone, it's the perfect mix of every element in sync with a single je ne sais quoi, its sum total - magic.
Fiddler, with book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, is the story of Tevye, a Russian Jew, his family and neighbors. It chronicles their, their ordinary lives, struggles with changing times, and the days during the lead up to and subsequent violent expulsion (program) from their homes in Russian territory.
The Opera House's production is rife with notable, standout arts that blend into this incredible singular vision.
First to set the stage - which is certainly a unifying element.
The set by Director Patrick Dorow is nontraditional, consisting of furniture in natural, darker woods, stacked higgledy-piggledy about the stage and forming its backdrop.
The rich costuming, also by Dorow, completes a warm, tonal scene, a vintage painting with just the right pops of color. Add to that the smart, emotional lighting design (that fade-out, framing and shadow play!) by Rachel Newbauer and Jo Meallo, and you could mount each scene and hang it on a wall.
Dorow's direction is fluid and impeccable, with sparks of simple yet ingenious moments that surprise within the already captivating world.
He's also cast with an incredibly astute eye. As both Director and Music Director he's created distinct personalities for each character having chosen performers with the skill to pull each off, and voices that can deliver, solo and ensemble, perfectly.
Meallo's choreography is attractive, illustrative, and above all shrewd. There is one sequence that characteristically features a specific dance which requires trained hoofers.
His dancers run a broad range of talent. So, rather than risk dulling the scene he designs a vibrant, energetic piece, which, as with all his numbers, is quite satisfying.
And now to the actors. Brilliant. Each and every one.
This is not not an ensemble production, and yet this collective moves as one, with each individually deserving recognition.
To a person the personas read strong, interesting, and authentic, no matter the size of the role.
All the emotions ring real and spontaneous.
The voices range from wonderful to superb.
Bravo to all, starting with leads Scott H. Severance, as a genuine, larger-than-life Tevye, funny, and touching, and Jenry Towle as a deliberate, witty, authentic Golde, also to Molly Scott as Tzeitel, Linsey Brunelle as Hodel, and Eloise Ellis as Chava, each distinct, real, and thoroughly pleasing.
And so it continues with the "suitors," Ben Hanley as sweet Motel, Braden Foley as serious Perchick, and Will McPherson as warm Fyedka, marvelous one and all, along with Tevye's two youngest daughters Avery Fecteau as Shprintze, and Violet Nelson as Bielke.
Props also to so many strong characters - Kerry Schneider as Yente, Michael Towel as Lazare Wolf, Kevin Mahaney as the Constable, and Chris Bradley as Rabbi, each perfectly on point.
And so it continues with the rest of the cast Sam Flurey, Samuel Bennett, Sam David Cohen, Ciara Neidlinger, Ashley Tsimtsos, Kira Vine and the fiddler, Melissa Haney as well as the 17 Villagers that help bring this world to life.
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