Posted: 10/16/15 at 1:46pm
No you don't have to be Jewish to play Tevye or direct Fiddler. The problem was that Devid Levaux and Alfred Molina had the slightest clue what the show was about.
This Tokyo production from 1982 captures the spirit and ethos perfectly:
Posted: 10/16/15 at 1:49pm
Posted: 10/16/15 at 2:40pm
I don't really feel the problem with the last revival was due to Molina, or any lack of understanding of the role on his part. Had he appeared in one of the many facsimile productions based on the Broadway original, I'm sure he would have fared just fine. (He's of Italian and Spanish extraction, and when it comes down to it, Jews and Italians have a lot in common). I think the 2004 revival's lack of Yiddishkeit could be blamed more on the direction and especially, the design. Anatevka looked pretty enough to be in a Pottery Barn Outdoors catalog.
What's worse, though, are the literalists among us, who insist on verisimilitude in casting. Actors must be the same exact age, race, ethnicity, sexual preference etc. of their character. Just let an actor do their job and if they do it well, they'll take you there (like PalJoey's Japanese Fiddler on the Roof amply demonstrates). One of the very best Tevyes I've ever seen was black. He walked out, said "A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no?" and I believed every word.
Updated On: 10/16/15 at 02:40 PM
Posted: 10/17/15 at 12:21pm
Can't wait to see this. This was the first Broadway musical I saw back in the late 60s/early 70s. I was quite young, but still remember bits and pieces of the experience.
I didn't see it again until I saw a touring production with Topol.
Looking forward to seeing it again on Broadway in the spring. I'm especially interested in seeing what Sher brings to it, in light of the success of The King and I.
TBH, the latter was something I didn't see when I was in NY earlier this year because I've seen TKAI so many times. It was like, I'm really not interested in seeing it again.
Some are saying the same thing about FOTR. It has been revived numerous times.
With Sher at the helm though I don't want to miss this one.
In fact, if TKAI is still playing, I might just see that too. Considering all the accolades it has received. If he was so successful in bringing something new to a musical like TKAI, I'm interested in seeing what he does with Fiddler, as well.
