#1
Posted: 9/21/05 at 12:18am
The thought of having someone like Rosie O'Donnell play opposite Harvey Fierstein on stage - in a serious piece, mind you - certainly made me wonder. Neither can really sing, and both of their ranges as a performer seem...for lack of a better word...minimal. So, with the addition of Rosie O'Donnell to the cast, this production of FIDDLER certainly had the potential to turn into a 3-ring circus.
I was very eager to return to this show, because I loved it so much when I first saw it with Molina over a year ago. It takes a really stellar production for me to enjoy a true classic that I know like the back of my hand - and tonight, once again, I could watch FIDDLER ON THE ROOF like I had seen it for the first time. I cared about what was coming next - and I cared about each and every one of the characters.
The opening number is still the most riveting and thoroughly breathtaking opening of any show currently on the boards. The set remains amazing, gorgeous, and just astounding. The lighting is absolutely perfect and amazing. Overall, the entire production is even more astounding and even more beautiful than I remembered it the first time.
Certain things about the production confuse me (little boy, the beggar, the sponge bath) and certain things leave me underwhelmed (the first time Tevye walks away from Chava, Chava's return home) but overall, this is still an amazing, pristine production of one of the greatest shows EVER written.
Harvey Fierstein - much to my surprise - is near perfection in the role. He is just simply remarkable in the role, and this is something I never thought I would hear myself say.
Rosie is actually very, very good. Everything about the way she carries herself onstage and about the way she plays the character is very natural - as if she had been doing this forever. She was not a distraction, as I thought she might be. She doesn't stick out, and she doesn't seem out of place here. I think this might be one of the first times I have seen a celebrity in a role on Broadway that actually seemed earned. And here, Rosie is a welcome and wonderful addition to this show. I can't praise her performance enough - her range of emotion in the role and her performance is - through and through - leagues better than that of Randi Graff which, I know, isn't saying much. She's really quite excellent, and I suggest you all see her in the role.
If you've already seen the show, it's another excuse to go back. If you haven't seen it yet, use this as a way to get you to go see this literally breathtaking production. I never thought I could be so moved by a show that I've always been familiar with. But seriously guys - I give it my highest recommendation and urge you all to go be inspired by this FIDDLER.
I was very eager to return to this show, because I loved it so much when I first saw it with Molina over a year ago. It takes a really stellar production for me to enjoy a true classic that I know like the back of my hand - and tonight, once again, I could watch FIDDLER ON THE ROOF like I had seen it for the first time. I cared about what was coming next - and I cared about each and every one of the characters.
The opening number is still the most riveting and thoroughly breathtaking opening of any show currently on the boards. The set remains amazing, gorgeous, and just astounding. The lighting is absolutely perfect and amazing. Overall, the entire production is even more astounding and even more beautiful than I remembered it the first time.
Certain things about the production confuse me (little boy, the beggar, the sponge bath) and certain things leave me underwhelmed (the first time Tevye walks away from Chava, Chava's return home) but overall, this is still an amazing, pristine production of one of the greatest shows EVER written.
Harvey Fierstein - much to my surprise - is near perfection in the role. He is just simply remarkable in the role, and this is something I never thought I would hear myself say.
Rosie is actually very, very good. Everything about the way she carries herself onstage and about the way she plays the character is very natural - as if she had been doing this forever. She was not a distraction, as I thought she might be. She doesn't stick out, and she doesn't seem out of place here. I think this might be one of the first times I have seen a celebrity in a role on Broadway that actually seemed earned. And here, Rosie is a welcome and wonderful addition to this show. I can't praise her performance enough - her range of emotion in the role and her performance is - through and through - leagues better than that of Randi Graff which, I know, isn't saying much. She's really quite excellent, and I suggest you all see her in the role.
If you've already seen the show, it's another excuse to go back. If you haven't seen it yet, use this as a way to get you to go see this literally breathtaking production. I never thought I could be so moved by a show that I've always been familiar with. But seriously guys - I give it my highest recommendation and urge you all to go be inspired by this FIDDLER.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
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