‘Fiddler on the Roof’: Full of tradition

The audience at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse received South Valley’s Civic Theatre production of “Fiddler on the Roof” – the final production of the season – with well deserved kudos. If this is an example of what is coming next season, run – don’t walk – to purchase next season’s tickets. This was an extremely well done show with an excellent cast. This wonderful piece of theatre is reincarnated with exuberance and energy, and is a joy to watch.
The winner of nine 1965 Tony Awards and the 1965 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, “Fiddler” comes to us with heartwarming honesty and innocence. Opening on Broadway Sept. 24, 1964, “Fiddler” is playing to a new generation and has the record of one of the longest running shows in Broadway musical history.
Alan Chipman excelled as Tevye, the village milkman who talks with God on a best friend basis, while holding on to his religious instincts. He brought a credibility to the part and obviously loved playing this role. His timing in areas that could have been overdone were handled masterfully. His fine voice and energy made for a rich melodic addition to the role.  
Elizabeth Calisi brought a beautiful voice and a great chemistry to Golda, Tevye’s wife. There was just enough tartness and tenderness to make her enjoyable. She and Chipman were a great pair, especially in “Do You Love Me,” where Tevye asks her to validate her love.
The original Jerome Robbins’ choreography was deftly transferred by choreographer Mitzie Imagawa.
Directors Coleen Blanchard, James Chapman and Tam Piper kept the production moving at just the right pace and scenes appear to blend into one another like a rainbow that keeps changing colors. Sets, lighting, sound and costumes were well done (though please replace all beards, other than Tevye’s).
Joseph Stein based the play on a collection of stories by Sholom Aleichem called “Tevye’s Daughters,” a story about the trials and tribulations of Tevye and his five daughters in a small Russian village. The threads of tradition, revolution, bigotry and love are woven into a warm, charming story of survival and an ability to be flexible in almost everything. Tevye knows things are changing and he knows he must reluctantly change with the times. He does this with great difficulty and intimate conversations with God.
The music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnik celebrate the true meaning of musical perfection. This is one show you will most certainly walk out of humming one of many tunes that wrap around your brain, where they will be instilled forever. Who can forget the heartwarming “Sunrise Sunset” or the lusty “If I were a Rich Man” that Chipman makes his own. No lyric is wasted, no note of music is squandered. Everything, musically, is in just the right place at all times.
This production closed June 29, but hopefully SVCT will include it in another season very soon.
Camille Bounds is the theatre, arts and special events editor for Sunrise Publications.
“12 Dancing Princesses”: Nov. 23-Dec. 14
“Legally Blond”: Feb. 21-March 15, 2014  
“City Of Angles”: May 9-June 7, 2014  
“Oliver”: July 18-Aug. 9 2014
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