A Twice Special Fiddler
There were two distinct reasons why I so enjoyed watching Fiddler on the Roof this past Saturday at Merrill.
First, I got to witness a dream come true for my friend Birdie Newman Katz who played Yente in this touring company. I’ve worked with Birdie for many years now and it was a joy to see her in front of her hometown crowd, performing in her first National Broadway Touring production. She told me the day was one of the most memorable and powerful of her life, to have all her friends and family there to see her doing what she loves best. I know she has several months of touring left before she returns home to Maine, so I wish her all the best. And can you believe that she made 6 gallons of lobster stew for her entire cast and crew to enjoy backstage?!
Second, it was wonderful to see such a great turn out for both performances. The popularity of this musical is such a testament to the power of the performing arts. I attended the Ovations Offstage pre-curtain lecture before the evening performance, presented by Professor Marilyn Reizbaum from Bowdoin College, and she discussed the sensitivities of the subject matter of the show, issues especially sensitive in the early 1960s when the musical was created. She explained that people in the world of Broadway, at that time, said the musical was “too Jewish” to have mass appeal. But, with a score that includes some of the best songs Broadway has ever produced and characters that are so heartwarming and memorable, the artistic quality transcended the notion of the storyline being “too Jewish.” Today, Fiddler on the Roof is one of the most known and most frequently produced musicals of all time.
I’d love to know your thoughts on why this musical is so popular and why it continues to touch people even after almost 50 years.
Jan Bachelder says:
I fell in love with Fiddler over 20 years ago when my high school drama club made it come alive for me. I have since had the priviledge of seeing it 5 more times at several locations around Maine. I keep the soundtrack on my ipod so that Tevye, Golda and the “family” are always with me. The show at Merrill was one of the best I’ve seen, I was transported once again to beloved Anetevka. Thank you.
Janet Hottinger says:
One of my favorite plays of all time. This cast was phenomenal. I was so absorbed that I forgot I was in the audience. They took me away….