I saw Fiddler ont he Roof last night....

Thanks for sharing!! I am looking forward to seeing it!:)

I just saw it and found it incredibly lackluster. I actually left at intermission and my friend fell asleep during the first act and walked out even before the first act ended she was so bored. She was on the aisle on the far right so she did not disturb anyone- lucky her. I actually witnessed alot of walk outs at intermission along with me.

Alfred was ok but nothing special. His voice was alright but i didn't feel he wa into the part of tevye. Randy Graff was boring and nasal and her wig was HIDEOUS! The choral numbers however, were outstanding as was the orchestra- just beautiful. Motel was embarassing in Miracle of miracles-just so goofy and campy -really fey.

The end of the first act was truly disappointing- I didn't feel anything.

The audience was one of the most obnoxious, poorly behaved that I have ever witnessed. Constant talking and getting up and going to the lobby. Opening candy and bags!

I am sorry if I sound bitter, but I had very fond memories of this show when I did it in High school and was hoping this would be phenomenal but alas it was just so-so. i obviously can't comment on the second act and if it got better but maybe someone can share...

I want to see it but Zero Mostel used to live in my building growing up and he raised the bar. He was such a wonderful man and i used to play with his son Josh.
OY hate to hear a bad review on Fiddler.
The last production i saw was starring my friend Jonathan Blum.
He was in High School in Maryland and he was outstanding.

Updated On: 2/14/04 at 01:47 PM

Corine2

You used to play with Zero's son Josh? You realize he's 20 years older than you, right? How old were you two when you "played" together?

---

I quote Family Guy

Stewie: We're playing house!
Lois: But that boy is all tied up!
Stewie: ...Roman Polanski's house

---

Actually, Zero Mostel didn't "raise the bar" with his performance in FIDDLER. He tired of the role quickly and began to mimic other actors behind their backs and frequently broke character. This so upset Hal Prince that he didn't even consider renewing Mostel's contract when it expired. Instead, they rushed in Luther Adler from the National Company because they realized their simple tale of peasant lives was being demolished by Mostel's ego.

Many years later, Mostel starred in a revival of the show (obviously his astronomic salary demands were met) and he delivered a totally obnoxious performance. I recall him splattering patrons in the first few rows with "milk" during "If I Were A Rich Man" and mincing behind the actor who was playing Motel Kamzoil. How could this gentle, sweet character do such rude and vulgar things? He wasn't playing Tevye. Instead, he was showing the audience how bizarre Zero Mostel could be.

Incidentally, I could never accept a man of Mostel's girth as being a poor, starving milkman.

So, Corine, this actor is the one you feel was the quintessential Tevye? Hmmm...whenever you post your opinions I realize that the only taste you have is in your mouth.

---

I'm enjoying hearing these Zero Mostel stories. I saw Fiddler with Herschel Bernardi, and he will lovingly remain Tevye in my mind.

I've also seen Topol

Talk about a sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow

evening!

---

I must agree with Dollypop! I saw Zero Mostel late in the run of FIDDLER and he was all over the place. It was a very embarassing performance! I've seen others since then who were much better, more nuanced and definitely more professioanl. And, Dollypop, when Maurice Schwartz performed Tevye in the 1930s he was portrayed as a sunken, disheveled undernourished man. You are definitely on the mark! And, shtetls in Russia never had female matchmakers!!!!! This is something that the creators of the musical made up. Such a thing was taboo, verboten, not allowed, banished, etc.

Miriam

---

Updated On: 2/16/04 at 11:51 AM

I believe Mostel started goofing around in the role right after he won the Tony Award that year.

---

It's nice to know you enjoyed YOURSELF when you saw the Topol FIDDLER, but did you enjoy the SHOW?

---

BwayLover, I resent being accused of being rude to you "all the time". That's not true and you know it. I'm only rude to you when you're posting messages.

---