dmwnc1959 said: "RippedMan said: "but minus the "cool" things that made it a unique production - the flying, the coming from the back of the stage, etc..."
I’ve read this referenced a couple of times before, but havingnever seen the movie or any other adaptation of the show, don’t quite grasp what this means, especially the latter."
The stage on the Broadway production was extremely deep, and the back portion of it was cut out end to end with a hidden staircase leading up from the trap room to the stage level. The actors used this enterence a lot, as opposed to just entering from the wings. It gave a very unique dynamic to the production, especially at the beginning of “Tradition”, when we watched the entire ensemble slowly rise out of the back of the stage, climbing the stairs.
The show also began with a gigantic painted house drop emerging from that space, and perched on top was the Fiddler, suspended on wires. They both rose up and into the flys. The flying Fiddler made a second return at the end of Tradition, with a very Peter Pan-esque swoop.
I hope that helps! Gah, what a great production. I’m sure the tour will be very good since it has the additional framing device as well as the dancing, but these moments were indeed special.