Fiddler on the Roof Previews — Page 8

Re bartletts sucesses and failures: we have to remember that this production fiddler is not going out with a subscriber base. And women on the verge was one of bartletts failures and not being under a subscriber base while light in the piazza, South Pacific and the king and I all had that going for them. Also how many orchestra members are there? I would expect as many as the king and I, but is it more than usual?

Call_me_jorge said: "Re bartletts sucesses and failures: we have to remember that this production fiddler is not going out with a subscriber base. And women on the verge was one of bartletts failures and not being under a subscriber base while light in the piazza, South Pacific and the king and I all had that going for them. Also how many orchestra members are there? I would expect as many as the king and I, but is it more than usual?

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Well, technically, aside from this Fiddler revival and Bridges of Madison County, Bart Sher has only ever directed for LCT/subscriber based audiences.

I counted 22 players in the pit just now; I actually thought it was more, and some folks play several instruments. I guess it's not quite as big as Lincoln Center can do, but it sounded great.

I thought Melanie Moore was very appealing as Chava, even if her stage presence was not as large as the other two major sisters. (I should say that the sisters and their relationships seemed very well fleshed-out and lived in for a second preview. I was shocked by how moving I found "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" to be) Her scenes with Tevye toward the end, begging for his acknowledgment, were very heart-wrenching.

FunnyGirl5 said: "I personally think Mr O'Sher is a great director."

I'm surprised he hasn't done more Irish plays with a surname like that...

GreasedLightning said: "Musical Master said: "WOW! That sounds theatrical and frightening! Good job SNAFU, can't wait to see the show soon.

I am so glad to hear such enthusiasm for this revival, but "can't wait to see the show soon" at the end of every single one of your posts is not necessary.

Upon such comments as these arise the singular charm embodied in this message board.

"

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Updated On: 11/22/15 at 01:35 AM

I am a huge fan of Sher's work, but I'm a little mixed on this one. It isn't a big bold reinterpretation like a lot of his stuff, partially due to the fact that this show has way more iconic visual moments than South Pacific and maybe even King and I. The set felt flat and bland at first, but grew on me as it went on. I normally don't mind simple but still elegant design's but this felt a little cheep to me as opposed to being a choice. The opening visuals feel lazy in comparison to this creative teams past work. The costumes look like any other production of fiddler I've seen, nothing extraordinary. The lighting is great except for the dream sequence, that feels sloppy, seems like they just made everything move that could. All in all the show feels a tad cookie cutter in act one, act two feels more original.

There's a pacing issue in the production right now, which always happens with Sher's work. He does a lot of tightening during previews and he always fixes is by the end. I think King and I shaved half an hour off during previews, here they really only need to tighten up by like 15 minutes.

Danny makes a wonderfully subtle Tevye. The more nuanced performance allows him to be funnier cause he finds more subtle beats and jokes and of course it makes him all the more heartbreaking. He carries the show nicely. Jessica Hecht walks a fine line in the show between the strong woman Golde is (which works nicely), and being a little bitchy (not in a good way). Adam Kantor is so likeably as Motel, he stands out nicely.

The Choreography is incredible. It takes Robbins original choreo and infuses it with such life and energy. Really well done. Whenever they stomp on the deck you feel the energy just pulsing out of them. I don't remember gasping in the bottle dance before like I did tonight when they slid him across the stage with the bottle on his head.

It's not a bad production at all, just nothing hugely extraordinary like we were all expecting. I'm gonna go back after opening and see if I feel any different.

Updated On: 11/22/15 at 01:42 AM

I messaged Whizzer to see if he was at the first preview, and he responded saying that he couldn't make it because of a conflict but he will be there tomorrow night.

Yes.

I was straight weeping at the end.

I was going to see it in December, but after hearing so much good stuff about it, I couldn't bear to go away for Thanksgiving without having seen it.

I'm seeing it this afternoon and I'm SO excited I'm like Fruma-Sarah hearing her ex-husband is about to remarry.

Oy vey, I hope it's not that KIND of excitement.

Tag said: "That gif just reminds me how great the film is."

I agree, the film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof is one of the best stage to screen adaptations ever. :)

PalJoey said: "

I was going to see it in December, but after hearing so much good stuff about it, I couldn't bear to go away for Thanksgiving without having seen it.

hi pal joey-enjoy the show. looking forward to your review!

Also, excited to hear Whizzers review...

it is very valuable to me that we have a number of folks on this board who consistently provide thoughtful, nuanced reviews and obviously have a deep understanding and background in musical theatre...grateful for you folks and you have really helped make my annual nyc trips much better

I'm seeing it this afternoon and I'm SO excited I'm like Fruma-Sarah hearing her ex-husband is about to remarry.

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