Fiddler in Yiddish?

[brdwybuff]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 10:35am

This may be a silly question, but can someone explain supertitles to me? How are they displayed? Are they easy to see?

I read this is one not to be missed. Insights?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 10:50am

Off Broadway, there were two projection surfaces/screens that hung above stage left and stage right, and they had live subtitles projected onto them for every line/lyric. They project an English translation, with a Russian translation slightly below it. The screens blend into the set, and the subtitles aren't distracting at all. If you know the show well, I found myself not looking at them during the songs since they've had to change a lot of lyrics for the translation to Yiddish. 

It's a really, really cool experience that I think anyone who is a fan of theatre would love. Enjoy!

[brdwybuff]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 11:42am

Thanks! I have seen it a several times so am familiar. I think I will love it. You just confirmed my decision!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 12:47pm

It is truly special, so very powerful.   

[macnyc]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 1:23pm

I loved it too. One of my favorite theater experiences of 2018.

I hope it does well in the larger theater! It was just perfect where it was, in the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 10:01pm

I also saw it and loved it, it's a beautiful production. The supertitles are quite easy to read, though I'm sure it helps that I'm very familiar with the show. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 10:27pm

I recently listened to the OBC and the brilliance of this score came back to me. I saw the revival with Harvey when it toured and loved it. This production was not on the top of my list until I listened to the music the other day and now I can't wait to see it.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/11/19 at 6:30pm

Finishing up the most amazing meal next door at Chez Josephine. Looking forward very much to tonight!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/11/19 at 6:57pm

Can't wait to hear your review! Have a friend in the show, and curious if they've changed anything for a larger house.

[AllThatJazz2]

Posted: 2/11/19 at 7:01pm

Very interested in your review as well Miles2Go2! Bought a seat for next month and looking forward to finally seeing this!

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 2/11/19 at 10:37pm

It’s a wonderful, brilliant performance and experience for non-Jews as well as Jews.  If you like musicals, you’ll like this. Full stop. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/11/19 at 11:40pm

Wow. Just. Wow. Beautiful. Powerful. Thrilling. Hard to believe it was their first preview. It was just about perfection. Of course they had the advantage of the previous run but still…


I wasn’t quite sure what to expect tonight. Had high hopes, but was also nervous because I was disappointed in last two revivals I saw (MFL, OOTI) this summer. This totally restored my faith in revivals. I also had seen a touring version around 10 years ago and appreciated it, but didn’t really emotionally connect with it. I connected tonight. Maybe no full-on sobs (although I heard the lady behind me totally lose it), but I honestly understand things about the story I don’t recall understanding last time.

It’s interesting. By presenting the show in Yiddish (and some Russian), it forces you to pay more attention to the language and thus catch more nuance.

Things I loved:

Just give Steven Skybell every award he is eligible for. He is perfection as Tevye.

I loved the creative use of minimal staging.

Loved the choreography. I also loved the scene with Leyzer-Volf’s dead wife Very creative.

This is my first time seeing a first preview. I’m doing If again on Thursday with Kiss Me, Kate. KMK has a lot to live up to after this.

Side notes:

They already have merchandise: wine glass, bibs, shirts, ball cap with Oy Vey on it, magnets, window cards, compact and tote bags. Prices range from $10 to $30. I bought the wine glass (Kvetch and Wine on one side, Fiddler on the Roof on other), magnet and window card. I had hoped to get the window card signed at stage door but they were having a small party for the cast after the show and they said that the cast would eventually come out probably but I was cold and very tired. May try to see about dropping it off if they’ll sign it.

Also, I was able to move from AA-4 Right Orchestra to AA-103 Center Orchestra today by calling Ticketmaster (even exchange). Stage is low so even though I’m tall, I don’t think shorter people would miss anything being that close.

Act 1 does feel long but that’s probably because I’m used to more modern musicals with shorter running times. 


Okay, long day and I actually have to work tomorrow. So signing off.

Updated On: 2/18/19 at 11:40 PM

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/12/19 at 6:42am

brdwybuff said: "This maybe a silly question, but can someone explain supertitles to me? How are they displayed? Are they easy to see?

I read this is one not to be missed. Insights?"

Subtitles are projected onto paper/fabric panels on stage. Very well done. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/12/19 at 9:07am

So glad you loved it, Miles!   It was by far the most meaningful Fiddler I've ever seen.   I love how serious they made the material, instead of making a joke out of everything.  

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 2/13/19 at 2:47am

This sounds wonderful. Will they be touring? I don't live in NY but grew up watching it, just saw the most recent (English version) tour when it came to Chicago about a month ago (with that wonderful Israeli actor whose name at the moment escapes me) and I was in a fab community theatre production of it, once. But would love to see this Yiddish version if it's going to tour a bit.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/13/19 at 4:08am

No plans that I know of to tour. It likely would not work in a touring house, far too big. The best to hope for is a licensing opportunity snd a local company picks it up.

[theaterlyfe19]

Posted: 2/13/19 at 6:12am

VotePeron said: "Off Broadway, there were two projection surfaces/screensthat hung above stage left and stage right, and they had live subtitles projected onto them for every line/lyric. They project an English translation, with a Russian translation slightly below it. The screens blend into the set, and the subtitles aren't distracting at all. If you know the show well, I found myself not looking at them during the songs since they've had to change a lot of lyrics for the translation to Yiddish.

It's a really, really cool experience that I think anyone who is a fan of theatre would love.Enjoy!"

I agree--it's a truly beautiful experience. 

[Caye2]

Posted: 2/13/19 at 10:23am

Would love to hear about differences (if any) between this production and the one at the Museum of Jewish Heritage from those who saw it there and will be seeing it at Stage 42!

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 2/13/19 at 11:50am

dramamama611 said: "No plans that I know of to tour. It likely would not work in a touring house, far too big. The best to hope for is a licensing opportunity snd a local company picks it up."

Actually, I have heard that they do plan to tour, eventually. Maybe a limited tour.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/13/19 at 12:43pm

Interesting!  Thanks for the tidbit.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 2/15/19 at 2:09pm

I haven’t seen this posted here yet but TodayTix has $30 rush tickets listed for this. I just grabbed one for tonight.

Updated On: 2/15/19 at 02:09 PM

[CarmenA3]

Posted: 2/15/19 at 3:41pm

RWPrincess said: "I haven’t seen this posted here yet but TodayTix has $30 rushtickets listed for this. I just grabbed one for tonight."

RWPrinces: did TT add on a fee to the $30 rush price? 

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 2/15/19 at 3:45pm

CarmenA3 said: "RWPrincess said: "I haven’t seen this posted here yet but TodayTix has $30 rushtickets listed for this. I just grabbed one for tonight."

RWPrinces: didTT add on a fee to the $30 rush price?"

Good question. Yes they added $7.50 which is a bit annoying for a $30 ticket but overall, $37.50 is still much cheaper than TKTS. Hopefully the seat is good.

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/15/19 at 6:49pm

I don't think the show is too big to tour. It is done pretty much on a bare stage. Also the translations are on beautiful parchment paper like long panels hanging at the front on each side of the stage.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/15/19 at 6:53pm

If you're responding to my post, I said I thought touring houses are too big for it. Not that it was too big to tour.