In a world-historical moment when the scourge of antisemitism is making a virulent return, our charge as civilized people is to bear witness and speak out against it. History reminds us of the cost of staying silent. Art both reminds us and brings the stakes to visceral life.
Fiddler on the Roof, the 1964 masterpiece with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein, pairs the harsh realities of the 1905 Russian pogroms with some of Broadway’s most memorable songs, and leavens the story of a milkman patriarch determined to maintain the traditions of his Russian shtetl with many helpings of wry Jewish humor.
The Elizabeth Margolius-directed production now onstage at Drury Lane Theatre is a humanistic marvel, richly portraying the struggles and joys of life in Anatevka, driven by a deeply affecting performance from Mark David Kaplan as Tevye.
And those songs! From the bracing manifesto of “Tradition,” we head right into the be-careful-what-you-wish-for bite of “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” set to an infectious melody and beautifully sung by Emma Rosenthal (Tzeitel), Yael Chanukov (Hodel) and Abby Goldberg (Chava). And then “If I Were a Rich Man,” essayed with off-handed charm by Kaplan as he details the smallest dreams of luxury that have ever been dreamed. Those are just the first three numbers.
Other standout performances come from Janna Cardia (Golde, the Mama!), Janet Ulrich Brooks (Yenta, the matchmaker), Joel Gelman (Lazar Wolf), Michael Kurowski (Motel) and Jeff Parker (Constable). Truly, there’s not a clinker in this cast.
The violence, when it comes, is mostly implied, but the physical, psychological and emotional injuries mount as the townsfolk are stripped of their homes and land and forced to move on to who knows where. Even amidst the poverty and rising oppression, the three eldest daughters find suitable matches that come from often surprising directions. Tevye struggles with letting his daughters go, only to finally and firmly place his faith in their modern. non-traditional attitudes about love.
This, above all else, is a story of hope, faith, love and good humor in the face of unrelenting adversity. It is the Jewish story. And it is never-ending, which makes this a show that’s always worth revisiting.
Fiddler on the Roof runs through March 24 at Drury Lane Theatre.
For a full roundup of reviews of this show, visit Theatre in Chicago.
Photo by Brett Beiner
