FROM ANATEVKA WITH LOVE PCRT CELEBRATES THE 50th YEAR OF A BROADWAY CLASSIC
The Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre celebrates Tevye 50 years on stage with an excellent production of the timeless musical. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is written by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and book by Sheldon Harnick. Director Christina Lazo assembled a talented cast for the small PCRT Firehouse stage, and its impressive. Lazo also choreographed some high flying numbers reminiscent of Jerome Robbins original dance numbers.
Staging a full production of FIDDLER is no easy task, the story comes with a large cast and some iconic songs that are part of American Theatre. Bay area favorite Dan Kapler was perfect as Tevya, he commanded the stage and was the heart of the show. Most of the performances are well acted, but Kapler is at his best in this role. Rachel Robinson as one of Tevya’s daughters, Hodel was also a standout. Most impressive was Burton Thomas as Motel the Tailor and his memorable “Miracle of Miracles”. Mr. Burton is endearing, and vulnerable. Tzeitel, played by Melissa Reinertson also is charming on stage.
The story of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is full of well known songs and this cast for the most is on their mark. Annmarie Martin as his wife Golde is perfect in “Do you love Me”. Nick Sears as one of the Russians Fyedka and Scott Reardon as Perchik are both standouts.
The wedding scene that closes out the first act is a busy one, it includes the bottle dance and “Sunrise, Sunset”. Lazo constructed this well, and “Tevye’s Dream” with Fruma-Sarah and the whole company. It was fun and the setting perfect using every corner of her small stage. The orchestra headed by Pat Parr is perched above the set and is on cue. Sherry Lewis plays the Fiddler and Lazo works her into many of the numbers
The small village of Anatevka is sometimes a scene stealer - Designed by Patrick Brandon, he used the color blue in the mix of the Village. In Judaism blue symbolises divinity the color the sky and sea. Brandon set includes a beautiful backdrop and textured space for the actors to work with. The lighting also has blue texture and designed spot on by Michael Oesch. Designer Margaret daSilva has fun with the costumes in the dream scene and she keeps the tradition of the costumes rich with the culture of the Jewish faith.
All the classic songs from this 50 year classic are all easy to recall and this company performed them all very well on such a small stage. “Tradition”, “To Life” and the wedding celebration all keep the spirit of larger productions. Lazo expands the cast to fill the small Firehouse Arts Center - and the villagers fill the aisles, a well staged move to bring the show into the entire space.
Some other smaller roles I would like to mention include Steve Wilner as Lazar Wolf the butcher, Salim Razawi as the Rabbi son, Audrey Howitt as Grandma Tzeitel and Ali Lane as Yenta the Matchmaker.
For fifty years Fiddler on the Roof has earned respect as one of the greatest musicals of all time. Songs like “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Matchmaker,” and “If I Were a Rich Man,” will always be a “Tradition” in the American musical theatre. This production at PCRT is the perfect musical to celebrate on this Pleasanton Ca stage. Congrats to the cast and production team.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
PACIFIC COAST REPERTORY, FIREHOUSE ARTS CENTER
DIRECTED BY CHRISTINA LAZO
April 17, 2015 – May 3, 2015 Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm Sundays at 2pm - $17-$38 Season Subscription also available
(925) 931-4848 or online tickets at www.pcrtproductions.org
Running Time: 2 hours 20 minutes with Intermission.
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