Theater in NYC: Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish at Stage 42

The best musical revival in every aspect, this dynamic production is a must see in New York City this year; playing until January 2020

The National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene’s production of Fiddler on the Roof performed in Yiddish reconnects the spectators with the past and reminds them about eternal tensions between new ideas and the traditional ways of life.  Joel Grey’s production was initially-planned for a 6 week run at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in downtown Manhattan in the summer of 2018. This production experienced the sort of miracle akin to the Hanukkah oil lasting much longer than intended. After the original run was extended three times till the end of 2018, the musical was brought to commercial production at the Stage 42 Off-Broadway theater on February 2019. It is now scheduled to run until January 2020.

Jerry Bock’s familiar music combined with the genuine acting by the cast led by affable Steven Skybell as Tevye, Jennifer Babiak as Tevye’s unswerving wife Golde, Jackie Hoffman as a meddlesome matchmaker Yente, and a superb orchestral accompaniment recreate the life in Anatevke in the early 20th century Russian Empire.

Perhaps, because of the universally well-known songs and the engaging acting, one only realizes that the play is performed in Yiddish, the language spoken in poor shtetls of nowadays Ukraine, when the story is already in full swing. With the helpful subtitles in both English and Russian, everything quickly falls into place. The actors’ energy immediately takes the audience in, so that they become one close community sharing its collective heritage. Without trying to keep the emotions hidden, the audience celebrates, questions, and fights with Tevye, his family, and his neighbors. It is a rare gift of unity worth taking part in. Come see the company of The National Yiddish Theater Folsbiene recreating the timeless story of love, traditions, and change. Click below for tickets at 62% off starting from $45. 

 

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The musical Fiddler on the Roof, translated in Yiddish by Shraga Friedman, with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joseph Stein, and choreography by Jerome Robbins is based on Tevye and his Daughters and other tales by Sholem Aleichem. Set in the Pale of Settlement in the southern region of Imperial Russia in the early 1900s, the story centers on a poor Jewish family of Tevye, the milkman, his wife Golde and their five daughters as the waves of change are making inroads into the life of a fictional village of Anatevke. Opened in 1964, the original production of Fiddler on the Roof was the first longest playing show on Broadway. It ran for 10 years with 3000 performances. Extremely popular and highly acclaimed with nine Tony awards including best musical, score, book, direction, and choreography, the production led to a successful film adaptation and several Broadway revivals.

The National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene’s deeply sensible and extremely engaging production reminds us again that the only constant thing in life is love. There is no language barrier for it whether it is in Yiddish, in English or in any other language. The play powerfully states that with love and trust we can learn to accept and come to an agreement within the family, the community, and the society.

The cast with terrific Steven Skybell as Tevye in the lead gives a memorable performance. Tevye, highly likable and respected in his community of tradition and rules, sincerely searches for answers to the questions posed to him by everyone around who trusts his wisdom. Honest and just, he is even on good terms with the village constable without any appeasement. The constable is keeping an eye on the Jews and eventually is displacing them from the village on Tzar’s order, prompting the community to turn to Tevye for support and reassurance in trying time. Skybell’s genuine acting and effective stage presence are the special gifts of the production.

The simple yet intricate life in the shtetl is grounded in old beliefs and deeply-held superstition. The kissing the mezuzah and triple-spiting at the ill spirit done in earnest now and then takes us back in time and makes the play authentically true. Intentionally or not, the austere stage design and the choice of black-and-white costume colors in accordance with Jewish rules convey the clear-cut ways of traditional life. In contrast, when Tevye’s daughters step outside of the prescribed rules, they put on bright yellow or red jackets. The force of life marches on changing and brightening the blanching shtetl’s palette.

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In keeping with the tradition of passing on the Tora story from generation to generation, the storyline in Fiddler on the Roof is ideal for educating the children about the history and continuity of life. The concern posed by the fact that the play is performed in Yiddish is valid. Yet the kids are not growing in a vacuum and likely already know a lot of the songs. Coupled with the absorbing acting and the helpfully projected subtitles in English and Russian, the plot is clear and easy to grasp even if one doesn’t know spoken Yiddish.

The peculiarity and authenticity of the high-quality production are potent and joyful. The New York Times‘s review notes that it “will likely strike a deep emotional chord”. Don’t be afraid to laugh, sing, or cry when watching as it is known to be a profoundly sensitive experience. Mazel Tov!

Click below for tickets at 62% off starting from $45

 

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Dates: Until January 2020

Venue: Stage 42, 422 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036