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How is the Topol production of Fiddler?

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How is the Topol production of Fiddler?

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winston89

Broadway Legend Joined: 6/18/06

#1How is the Topol production of Fiddler?
Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:34pm

I might be in Boston this weekend and I want to know what people thought of the Topol production of Fiddler and if it is worth seeing.

"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll

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CapnHook
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Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03

#2re: How is the Topol production of Fiddler?
Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:55pm

It's been discussed on the boards before.

IMO, he was the worst part of the show.

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

WishingOnlyWounds2
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Broadway Legend Joined: 9/25/08

#2re: How is the Topol production of Fiddler?
Posted: 11/1/09 at 11:03pm

Didn't he leave the show after the Ft. Lauderdale engagement?

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trombonist

Featured Actor Joined: 9/17/09

#3re: How is the Topol production of Fiddler?
Posted: 11/1/09 at 11:06pm

He was in it in Baltimore (or the DC area wherever it was). A friend of mine saw it and said that he's really trimmed down what he has to do in it. I couldn't tell if my friend thought it was worth seeing or not.

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provocation
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Featured Actor Joined: 1/19/09

#4re: How is the Topol production of Fiddler?
Posted: 11/2/09 at 3:24am

He was incredible in Los Angeles. But he's so old (and it's quite apparent if you're close to the stage); I feared he was going to fall at any moment.

I know, right?

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Gypsy9
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Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/06

#5re: How is the Topol production of Fiddler?
Posted: 11/2/09 at 7:51am

This thread reminds me of Yul Brynner continuously playing in THE KING AND I until he died. I happened to see him in the final production at the Broadway Theatre ages ago and I found him to still be effective.

I saw Topol in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the Gershwin many, many years ago and he was very effective in the role. I have no idea how age has affected him.

"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"

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CapnHook
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Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03

#6re: How is the Topol production of Fiddler?
Posted: 11/2/09 at 9:09am

He is robotic and phones it in.

In the scene with Chava after he disowns her, when he falls it looks too real because he is frail and I dropped out of the moment because I saw an actor hurting himself instead of Tevye falling to his knees in agony.

Does he still have a voice? It's fine. Can he still dance? He can move. Can he still act? He has moments. But he has been playing the role for SO LONG that I would be SHOCKED if he were to do more than what he did when I saw him last (February?).

Seriously, I can understand his attachment to the show. It's a great musical. But in my opinion, he needs to sacrifice his love for performance and find a fresh role to play. Hell, if he loves the show so much, let him play the Rabbi or Lazar Wolf! That'll give him something new to do...

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

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LuPonatic

Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06

#7re: How is the Topol production of Fiddler?
Posted: 11/2/09 at 2:19pm

A long musical with an old man carrying it...I would imagine that sucker is 4 hours long at LEAST!

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