MATCHMAKER staging

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 2:14am

Can anyone tell me how the "Matchmaker" number was originally staged by Jerome Robbins in the Broadway production of FIDDLER? Also, how does Leveaux stage it? I'm doing a bit of research, but can't find anything on this. I know in the film version, the three daughters are doing laundry outside, but isn't the original staging of the song inside (according to the script)?

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 2:18am

Not sure about the original staging, but Leveaux certaintly heightens up the sexuality and sensuality in the number.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 2:18am

in the revival it's staged as a low budget porno flick...

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 2:26am

I always had my suspicions about Leveaux, aka Porn King.

But seriously, any details about the staging? (ie. setting and stage business.) It's for an essay on the different productions of FIDDLER.

[Doc]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 3:03am

Leveaux has the three daughters outdoors bathing before dinner beside the well.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 3:06am

You're kidding, right?

Oh dear God.

[Justice]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 3:09am

Although the setting may be different, the choreography is basically the same as the movie. (It is in the contract that whenever Fiddler and West Side Story are done, they have to use the original choreography)

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 4:06am

I'm doing a professional production of 'Fiddler' (which I'll probably shamelessly promote sooner or later on this board- it seems to get a few people in) and we are using the original choreography.

The girls are in the house and mopping. They dance with the mops and they end up throwing them back and forth to each other (which looks cool) and then they use them to represent the men they may be doomed to marry.

It's corny, but cute. Serves it's purpose and then you move on to Tevye's famous number.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 9:47am

I heard the revival totally abandoned the mop dance.

Also part of the origial staging: at the beginning, Tzeitel is cleaning with a washcloth. When she does her imitation of Yente, she ties the cloth around her head in the fashion of Yente's scarf (which is tied differently than the other women's).

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 11:39am

Thanks for everyone's help. Anymore details is greatly appreciated! (How many mops?)

Although the movie does keep a few of Robbin's dance numbers, the film staging of "Matchmaker" is done rather naturalistically; no heavy dancing, just choreographed movement of the three daughters taking down the laundry, folding clothes, then getting dressed.

Updated On: 1/15/05 at 11:39 AM

[musicgal04]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 12:33pm

In the revival they all unbuttone their shirts a few buttons and wash their necks with wash cloths. And at one point, I think one of the girls washes on of the others.