FIDDLER ON THE ROOF • Fly North Theatricals

After learning that there was going to be a production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Greenfinch Theater & Dive I thought, “Fiddler? In an 80-seat black box theatre?” Fly North Theatricals answered with a thunderous, “absolutely!”, offering a nimble, high-octane staging of this much-loved musical theatre classic. Set in the turn-of-the-century shtetl of Anatevka, Fiddler is teeming with equal measures of the joys and sorrows revolving around Tevye, a humble milkman, his wife Golde, and their five daughters, all living in the ominous shadow of Czarist Russia.

In arguably one of the best opening numbers ever written, “Tradition” doesn’t waste any time introducing the characters, their way of life and the show’s central themes. Anatevka starts off as a nearly bare stage, but quickly comes to life with the everyday activities of its residents as set pieces are brought onstage and frameworks of the shtetl’s buildings are rolled into place. The members of this community endure through their traditions, but change always looms just around the corner. When societal shifts happening in the world outside of Anatevka creep their way into town, the ground beneath Tevye’s feet starts to crumble. How far is he willing to adapt and bend long-held conventions for the sake of his daughters - three of whom have dared to find their own love interests without the help of the local matchmaker?

Tevye (Ryan Cooper).

Photo credit: Katie Orr

The cast sounds terrific, and features FNT students performing alongside professional actors. Leading the cast is an indominable Ryan Cooper, surging with energy as Tevye. The vocal range of the role seems to sit squarely in Cooper's sweet spot, resulting in strong-voiced, exuberant renditions of many of the show’s most popular numbers. He also shines in the moments where Tevye re-evaluates the old ways, like in “Tevye's Monologue”, where he literally pounds on his drum in an effort to beat back the unavoidable approach of modernity, as strains of “Tradition” struggle to win through. Rachel Bailey is the strong-willed matriarch, Golde. Bailey’s also got a great set of pipes and gives Golde a world-weariness that’s as terse as it is tender. Additional standouts include Sarah Lantsberger, who nails the comedic notes as the matchmaker Yente, and delivers a frightfully good Fruma-Sarah in a very creatively staged “Tevye's Dream”. FNT student Danielle Singleton is first-rate as Hodel, with stirring, gracefully controlled vocals that radiate in “Far From the Home I Love”. Jade Cash charms as the oldest daughter, Tzeitel, and Henry Schumacher and Milo Garlich are memorable as two prospective love interests, Perchik and Motel, who have their work cut out for them in wearing down the protective objections of Tevye. 

Perchik (Henry Schumacher)
and Hodel (Danielle Singleton).
Photo credit: Katie Orr

Fiddler on the Roof’s score, one of my favorites, is heavily influenced by Klezmer music - instrumental folk music of Eastern European Jews, often featuring the clarinet, violin and accordion. Those distinctive modal scales, reminiscent of a synagogue cantor, lend a vibrant flavor to everything from the gentle, devotional melodies of "Sabbath Prayer" and the poignant “Sunrise, Sunset”, to the boisterous zest of “If I Were a Rich Man” and “To Life" (L'chaim). The actor-musicians - Fiona Brickey, Josh Baumgartner, Rachel Bailey, Colin Healy and Bradley Rohlf, handle the score beautifully. Director Caleb D. Long keeps the action humming along at a lively clip, and his fantastic Jerome Robbins-inspired choreography is woven through every bit of the show.

Yente (Sarah Lantsberger) and Golde (Rachel Bailey).
Photo credit: Katie Orr

Fly North Theatricals finds the comedy in every nook and cranny, and the emotional themes of family and perseverance resonate even more deeply within the intimate confines of the Greenfinch Theater. If you've seen Fiddler before, this is a mighty fine production to revisit, and if you’ve never seen it, what are you waiting for? It’s playing until May 3rd.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Music by Jerry Bock

Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Book by Joseph Stein

Directed by Caleb D. Long

Greenfinch Theater & Dive, 2525 S. Jefferson Ave.

through May 3 | tickets: Tickets for this production of Fiddler on the Roof are priced as “Pay-What-You-Want” to the community as part of FNT’s Theater For All Initiative.  

Performances Thursday through Saturday @ 7:30pm, Sundays @ 2:00pm.

Tevye (Ryan Cooper), Shprintze (Annie Miller),
Golde (Rachel Bailey), The Fiddler (Fiona Brickey),
and Bielke (Lacie Irby).
Photo credit: Katie Orr

Cast

(in order of appearance)

The Fiddler: Fiona Brickey

Nachum & Others: Josh Baumgartner

Tevye: Ryan Cooper

Mordcha & Others: Colin Healy

Rabbi & Others: Bradley Rohlf

Yente & Fruma-Sarah: Sarah Lantsberger

Lazar Wolf: Ken Haller

Mendel & Others: Callum Thompson*

Shprintze: Annie Miller*

Golde: Rachel Bailey

Hodel: Danielle Singleton*

Bielke: Lacie Irby*

Tzeitel & Grandma Tzeitel: Jade Cash

Chava: Zoe Klevorn

Motel: Milo Garlich

Perchik: Henry Schumacher*

Shaindel & Others: Maggie Nold

Fyedka: Kieran Thompson*

Constable: Scott MacDonald

 

Tzeitel (Jade Cash) and Motel (Milo Garlich).
Photo credit: Katie Orr

Crew

Choreographer: Caleb D. Long

Music Director: Colin Healy

Stage Manager: Reagan Posey-Mank

Costume Design: Jen Blum-Tatara

Sound Design: LP Guterman

Lighting Design: Ryan Thorp

Scenic Painting: Katie Orr

Set Design: Caleb D. Long, Bradley Rohlf & Colin Healy

Props Design: Caleb D. Long

Asst. Choreographer: Maggie Nold

Original Broadway Choreography: Jerome Robbins

*Denotes Student of Fly North Theatricals

Musicians

Violin: Fiona Brickey

Clarinet: Josh Baumgartner

Guitar: Rachel Bailey

Accordion, Piano: Colin Healy

Percussion: Bradley Rohlf