FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Reviews- Page 2

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 3:03am

"I predict the critics will rave because lets face it, show biz is a popularity contest and Bartlett Sher is a popular man."

The reason some people are popular is because many admire and respect what they do.  It doesn't come out of thin air.  I thought Sher's production of Fiddler was heartfelt and profound.  And I can't imagine the type of person who wouldn't be moved by the final exitus of those emigrants leaving their homes and going to who knows where, even without the contemporary resonance.  This is, of course, only one person's opinion but it has nothing to do with popularity.  It has to do with the sturdy strength of the material and the storytelling skills of the creative team.  

Updated On: 12/21/15 at 03:03 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 7:05am

Wilmingtom said: "It has to do with the sturdy strength of the material and the storytelling skills of the creative team."

I completely agree.

 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 7:53am

I attended on Saturday and liked it but was disappointed because I really thought this was going to be much more magical.   

 

The good- Danny's understated approach to a larger than life role worked for me.  The choreography was very exciting. Personally, I really loved that there were two females playing male dancers. In fact, Marla Phelan stood out for me and it was hard not to have your eyes drawn to her.  I suppose the dancing generated the most emotions for me.  

 

The meh- I found the set a complete disappointment.  The flying fiddler didn't work for me either.   There just seemed to be a lack of community and connection.  Part of this I think is caused by the massiveness of that stage.  I caught the recent Goodspeed production which had so much more warmth.  I definitely missed that.  Matchmaker fell flat and the three sisters were not as connected as they could have been. 

 

I purposely packed my little stash of Kleenex.  Not a one was used. Overall it cried out for an intimacy that wasn't there for me.

 

 

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 10:18am

"Tevye’s wife, Golde, is played by Jessica Hecht, whose singing is merely adequate and whose accent sometimes swerves toward the Germanic. But she brings a moving, careworn quality to her performance."

Does Isherwood not realize Golde spoke a Germanic language? 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 10:19am

I am sure he does. However, Hecht is the only performer in the production performing with such an accent.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 10:24am

Ah, gotcha.  Though if's odd that he failed to put his concern about her speech pattern as clearly as you just did, Kad.

Updated On: 12/21/15 at 10:24 AM

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 12:02pm

Well I guess now we can throw out the idea that Isherwood doesn't review "high profile shows." 

[goldenboy]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 12:53pm

After Eight said

 

 

Fiddler has a song called "To Life." Too bad they chose not to give us any here. It's a wan, doleful, unattractive production with an undersized performance by the lead.

 

 

 

 

The critics have their darlings....

 

After 8... I couldn't agree with you more. And ?In my opinion the King  and I, except for the boat in the beginning of the show,  was an overrated  collossal bore as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"

 

Updated On: 12/21/15 at 12:53 PM

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 4:46pm

A big mazel tov to the cast and crew for the wonderful reviews!  :) 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 4:48pm

While there may not be a Tony race for Best Musical next year (thanks to Hamilton), it looks like there will be a race between The Color Purple and Fiddler on the Roof for Best Revival of a Musical.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 4:56pm

I agree, it's as stiff as last year's Tony Awards were.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 5:15pm

^ Don't leave out She Loves Me, which Roundabout could completely nail. Shuffle Along could be incredible and marked as a revival, too. Such a competitive year!

[woeisme3]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 5:20pm

Isn't Shuffle Along a new musical? It's the story of the making of it, it's not the show itself.

Anyway, when it comes to revivals, I have a feeling that Fiddler and Spring Awakening will probably get nominations but have On The Town syndrome of not being remembered well, while I think the buzz around Color Purple makes it the frontrunner. She Loves Me also has an all-star cast, so I think those two are the ones to beat for the tony.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 5:23pm

^ Why does Color Purple stand a better chance of being "remembered" by Tony time than Fiddler? They opened at the very same time.

[woeisme3]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 5:35pm

The Color Purple got full out raves from everyone. Fiddler also got very good reviews, but I think there's just more buzz around The Color Purple. Who knows how it will be come April though!

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 6:02pm

I agree that The Color Purple is probably the current front runner.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 6:46pm

The Color Purple got full out raves from everyone. Fiddler also got very good reviews, but I think there's just more buzz around The Color Purple.

Though Fiddler is (currently) making more money.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 6:49pm

Of course it is, Fiddler is in a theatre with almost 700 more seats than Color Purple. It's pretty safe to say both are off to a very successful start.

[woeisme3]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 6:50pm

The Broadway has about 700 more seats than the Bernard B Jacobs, to be fair.

[Monty12112]

Posted: 12/22/15 at 10:41am

Looking to buy tickets to see fiddler.  Is half the rear mezz curtained off?  When I saw Dr. Zhivago it was and was wondering if it was the same for Fiddler on the Roof? 

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/22/15 at 10:56am

It's open for Fiddler, but it's not a great view. 

[indytallguy]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 5:38am

Teachout's WSJ review is now out. Some positive with particular praise for Burstein, but ultimately mixed. He found the production show's emotional core lacking.

[alliesinger]

Posted: 12/24/15 at 11:38am

indytallguy said: "Teachout's WSJ review is now out. Some positive with particular praise for Burstein, but ultimately mixed. He found the production show's emotional core lacking.

 

I agree with most of that review, unfortunately. Especially the part about hopes being high after the opening number, which I thought was really well executed, then coming down drastically with the somber "Matchmaker" number. Loved Burstein, though. He plays Tevye in a funny, understated, authentic way.

[alliesinger]

Posted: 12/24/15 at 11:41am

Also, did anyone else feel like the sound in the theater was a little off? It wasn't as booming/rich as I would have expected it to be. (Though, admittedly, that could have been my extreme side orchestra seat.)

[AndersonTours]

Posted: 12/24/15 at 1:47pm

The sound in the show isn't the best. I kept having trouble hearing things. I went to a late preview and I was surprised that they hadn't fixed it by then. Perhaps there was an issue that night? But if other people were having trouble, I guess not. It's just too quiet. There were so many times I wish the sound would just bowl me over, but it felt so far away. I kept thinking "Why am I thinking about the sound?" while watching the show.