Fiddler on the Roof Previews- Page 20

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 11:05am

Someone in a Tree2 said: "^ Sorry, Jeffrey, I'm confused by your post.

 

Do you mean that if posters here dislike a show that critics like, and the public makes the show a hit, that means the critics are smarter than the posters? "

 

If you go back and read the preview threads for An American in Paris, the reactions there were very mixed...https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1081309#4644675

 

But when it officially opened, many posters were surprised at all the praise it was getting from the critics...https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1082203&page=1

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 11:34am

Really bummed to hear that cut the station at the beginning. I'm not sure I would get as much from the framing device without if. 

[LucyEth]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 5:34pm

Will have to echo what a lot of people are already saying.  This whole production is a big "meh..."  It's terrific to see one of our greatest musical theater performers tackle an iconic role, but this could have been done in a concert version at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center.  Other than Danny, who gives an understated but funny and genuine performance, there's no reason whatsoever for this new version to exist.  The set is indeed ugly, unimaginative and unwieldy.  And watching actors and stage hands moving tables and trees is infuriating.  At $142 bucks a pop I want to see some stagecraft, some magic.  Perhaps that's the biggest letdown of this production: there's no poetry, either in the look of the show, or the presentation.  Everything is very real, very drab, very dull.  I do welcome the lack of schtick, but not the lack of style.  The framing device is misguided and confusing; we'll see how long it lasts, as I have it on good authority that Sheldon Harnick hates it with a vengeance.  I will say this, and lightning may strike me for it:  The choreography is fantastic.  Inventive, energetic and beautiful to watch.  I didn't miss the Robbins at all.  

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 6:25pm

I thought the fiddler flying was pretty magical. Not surprised that Harnick hates the framing device. It was a huge red flag when I heard people talking about it but I didn't mind it when I saw the show. The idea is good but the execution isn't. 

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 6:25pm

I thought the fiddler flying was pretty magical. Not surprised that Harnick hates the framing device. It was a huge red flag when I heard people talking about it but I didn't mind it when I saw the show. The idea is good but the execution isn't. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 7:53pm

I saw the show last night as well (I was actually sitting right behind bwayphreak234. Fun to meet a BWW poster in real life!) 

 

I think this was a perfectly solid, enjoyable production of Fiddler, but it definitely had it's problems. I felt like Sher made some really interesting directorial choices, some of which worked better than others. I feel like his direction was a little bit inconsistent. It reminded me of Arden's Spring Awakening, in the sense that both directors seemed to be making a lot of distinct choices that didn't really contribute to a cohesive direction of the show.

 

The performances were good and solid, but nothing to write home about. I enjoyed Alix Korey's more dry take on Yente.

 

I'm personally not a huge fan of Danny Burstein. I liked his Billis and his Schultz (and was disappointed by his Buddy), but I've never found him to bring anything interesting to his roles. The second I heard he was cast as Tevye, I felt like I had already seen him. I was hoping he would surprise me, but he didn't. I would have liked to see this same production with a Tevye who had more of a "je ne sais quoi," maybe a more commanding presence or something. Burstein finest moment of acting, in my opinion, was when Hodel leaves and he looks to God and says "you take care of her." 

 

The choreography was far-and-away my favorite part of the evening. It was so dynamic and soulful. I honestly could have watched 3-hours of that choreography. It made me realize I'd like to see a Ballet based on Fiddler, that incorporated those styles of dance into it. 

 

Like I said, I think, despite it's problems, it was an enjoyable enough production, if nothing extraordinary. 

[OMG2]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 8:23pm

Cannot wait for critics reviews also. I have read all of these comments and seeing it Tuesday nite. One thing for sure, not going to check any shows I am seeing.

i never got a great feeling about Jessica Hechy playing Golda. I always wanted Mandy Patinkin as Teveye! He would be my favourite.

[LucyEth]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 8:53pm

Agree that the flying fiddler was marvelous, but that was in the first 10 minutes of the show.  After that the show was magic free IMHO.

[LucyEth]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 8:57pm

Patinkin, of whom I'm not a big fan, would have at least given this production the larger than life star power it lacks.  It's been directed as an ensemble piece, which it's never been.  Agreed that Alix Korey's understated Yente is welcome.  She's always been a wacka wacka kind of performer, but here she's terrific and much more "real" than I would have thought her capable of.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 10:53pm

 

Do you mean that if posters here dislike a show that critics like, and the public makes the show a hit, that means the critics are smarter than the posters? 

 

Not necessariy. Posters in these Previews threads on BWW are commenting on just that: previews. It is a known fact (and something devoutly wished for by every working theater professional) that shows get better in previews. So, by the time those posters revisit the shows after opening, their comments are frequently more positive.

 

Not because the critics were right and they were wrong, but because the shows gelled, solidified, and improved during previews.

 

This happened with both Gentleman's Guide and American in Paris, to mention just two.

 

 

[Broadway Guru]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 11:54pm

Does anyone know what the current running time is? Someone who works there told me the curtain didn't go down until 11:20 at the first preview. Have they shortened it?

[LucyEth]

Posted: 12/6/15 at 11:59pm

I was out Friday night at 11:00.

[sdgold60]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 9:10am

I was at Saturday's matinee. . I agree the Framing of the red coat does not work but I think this is a fresh production of a traditional musical that is well known. Like other Barlett Sher productions, i think that the set design with so many scene changes Vs. King and I and South Pacific, was done masterfully. The use of lighting to accentuate when the characters are struggling eg. Tevye looking at Hodel and Perchik's engagement, and I loved the dream sequence.  I thought the use of this huge stage ( and the theater is too big) was delightful. The wedding scene had you really engaged that you were at the wedding. The choreography is outstanding. Jessica Hecht would not have been my first casting choice, but at least she pronounces Chava correctly.  This is not the movie version of Fiddler, Danny Berstein is not Topol.  I think the majority of the criticism will be about his Tevye because of the movie. The scene with Chava is well staged. I loved the set and use of lights. It is flawed but I think compared to the Harvey Feirstein Rosie ODonnell version of Fiddler, this is a winner. It will draw a huge nostaglic audience. 

Saturday there was a wide age range, grandparents, parents taking children. There was a child who could not sit still or be quiet. There were picture takers with no flash as there was no annoucenment. so it may bring new people to the theater.. I am recommending this Fiddler to my friends. I loved what Sher did with it without messing with "tradition".  

[little_sally]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 1:15pm

Has anyone seen this through TDF yet? If so, where were your seats?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 1:21pm

sdgold60 said "I think the majority of the criticism will be about his Tevye because of the movie."

 

 

I disagree. The movie is well-known, but Fiddler is a classic and has been done a lot over the years. I'm guessing most audiences will go in having already seen other Tevye's in addition to Topol. 

[sdgold60]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 1:59pm

There were some people in the audience who i spoke to who saw Zero Mostel but most in my section had never seen FOTR live.  Some may have seen Hershel Bernardi and i had the Pleasure??? to see Harvey Feirstein and Rosie ODonnell destroy Fiddler.  Most were middle age people with grandchildren at the Sat Matinee. There was lots of talk of Dancing with Fathers at their wedding to Sunrise Sunset. Its was a nostagia crowd for sure. Again my personal experience on Saturday. 

[AndersonTours]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 6:26pm

We saw Sunday's matinee and I honestly can't remember ever being so moved by Fiddler on the Roof. Sher has directed a stark, incredibly moving and honest production. It's not our grandparent's Fiddler. But that's good. I cried for three hours straight. It's an astonishing production in its ability to look at this treasured material and make it seem as important as ever. It's not cartoony or clownish. They don't sidestep difficult moments. They just went for honest and I was quite moved by that.
Is it perfect? For me, almost. I have a quibble that I'll mention in a minute.
I've seen Burstein in several shows now (5?) and I found his Tevye to be subtle and kind of brilliant. And very funny. But he's funny in the right places and in the right way. He is giving a gorgeous performance. 
Jessica Hecht is also giving a lovely performance. An honest performance that is subtle and unexpected. Also wonderful are Adam Kantor and the three main daughters. I especially liked Melanie Moore's touching Chava. The choreography is inspired and thrilling. Who is that guy??? Amazing work. Athletic and sexy dancing.
I have a few quibbles. I don't understand why the show takes place in a brick box. Just created the wrong feel to me. At least the lighting was, for the most part, excellent and hid the walls well. And the framing device is a great idea, that hasn't worked itself out yet. It reads more confusing and doesn't help the show start off well. I got it by the end and was really moved by it. But the first half felt tacked on and confused my husband and I.
I was truly blown away by this Fiddler on the Roof and I never expected to be. Wept like a baby. Of course we all know the script and score by heart, but to see and hear these songs and words being played so honestly, made me weep with joy.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 8:51pm

Wow these comments are all over the place. The last Fiddler was such a disappointment in that they put the orchestra on stage so that you could  never forget your were watching a show. Too Brechtian for the show to work that way.  It also  ruined Fiddler with a set more like the Cherry Orchard then Anatevka. That production too seemed to underplay the funny  and it lied there like a dead cow. How anyone can ruin Fiddler on the Roof is beyond me. Leave it David Levaux in that last production.

 

I am a Danny Burtstein fan and he is so good when he is allowed to ham it up. It concerns me that everyone is saying he gives an understated performance. Understated is not what Danny Burstein does best. His Adolpho was glorious. His Buddy on the money. His Billis was out there. He underplays Tevye? Why??  Zero was glorious. So was Paul Lipson and Hershel Bernardi and Harry Goz. None of them underplayed it and it was heartbreaking.

 

When you show your comic side and then open your guts to show the tragedy that lies underneath--that is what is great about the role of Tevye; that is what makes heart wrenching theatre and characterization. So why on earth is Burstein not utilizing his comic side? (Again.. just thoughts not having seen the show yet)

I am going to see this on Dec 19.  This framing device sounds odd. This understated Tevye  sounds odd. An unfunny Yente? I'm cringing. Thank goodness the choreography has gotten positive nods.

 

I will try to go with an open mind.

 

 

 

 

[AndersonTours]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 12:41am

His Tevye is glorious. And he's very funny. But he's also subtle and beautiful.

PS. I've seen many Tevye's. Yes, I'm older than you probably. Lipson was not over the top at all. Mostel was. Ridiculously so. He was talking to the musicians in the pit and even threw things into the pit when I saw the show. Topol was stoic and not funny. All valid.

My point is, all were very different. Did you really see these performances or are you assuming they were all big and funny? They were not.

I was blown away by this production. I'm glad you're keeping an open mind. My quibbles are listed above in my opinion above yours. This is truly a Fiddler I'll remember for a long, long time.

 

Updated On: 12/9/15 at 12:41 AM

[AndersonTours]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 12:41am

Bump

 

Updated On: 12/9/15 at 12:41 AM

[OMG2]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 2:33am

I am replying not to this message, just  saying I spent 3 of the most magical hours watching this extrodinary production of Fiddler. I didn't notice framing or stage hands or anything else most have you mentioned. Considering I sat in the 3 rd aisle  centre orchestra nothing bothered me. Not even Danny's jacket. He was wonderful along with Adam Kantor and Ben Rappaport.

i was curious about Jessica Hecht. She might be a too pretty for a Golde, but she was very good. The sets, fabulous choreography was amazing.

A audience very taken by Fiddler tonight. Three hours flew by

[OMG2]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 2:37am

Never saw her or knew her until tonight. She was just the right wackiness for me. Just as I remembered any other Yentl.

[OMG2]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 2:41am

Same for me, in my car by 11 05

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 2:43am

OMG2 said: "Never saw her or knew her until tonight. She was just the right wackiness for me. Just as I remembered any other Yentl."

 

Fiddler, can you hear me? Fiddler, can you see me? Fiddler can you find me in the night?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 8:57am

Saw the production last night. The framing device seems to have been cut down. It's just Danny in a red jacket at the end and the beginning. It's almost not enough of a device to have a point.

I did not see any stagehands moving set pieces. I would guess that's been cut (I haven't read this whole thread.)

Danny was brilliant & everyone else was perfectly good. Except Alix Korey, who is just not good at all. She is in a different show than everyone else. Not sure what Bart is thinking letting her do that.

That said, it wasn't exceptional. It was a perfectly serviceable production of Fiddler. No magic, no re-examination of the show. At least not for me.