Mark Lotito as Tevye
Mark Lotito as Tevye
#0Mark Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 6:36pmI had the pleasure of seeing Mark Lotito in the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof Saturday and was quite impressed. He is a strapping, wide-eyeed handsome Tevye with vigourous ways and a hearty laugh. This revival seems to lack the Yiddish flavor of the previous revivals and the movie with Topol. Randy Graff presents a sensible Golde with a skeptical brow and a tart manner. Joh Cariani's skinny, hyperactive Motel was endearing. Nancy Opel's bustling matchmaker, David Wohl's dour butcher and Yusef Bulo's doddering rabbi are standouts amontg the villagers. The most significant difference about this Fiddler from the version so many love, is its looks. Designer, Tom Pye, floats a battered roof above the action and brings the stage several feet forward into the theater. A dozen old-fashioned lamps flicker aloft. The orchestra is positioned onstage amid a thicket of silver birch trees. Rustic furniture is rearranged as needed upon a low oak platform nestled upon fallen leaves. The actual visual effect is of great simplicity. The lighting creates an autumnal feeling appropriate for a musical that sings about the imminent passage of an entire way of life. Using this canvas, Leveaux creates a lovingly detailed picture of Anatevka village life such as the blue moonlight drenched "Sabbath Prayer" sequence. A wild comic nightmare for "Tevye's Dream" sees the floorboards crazily tilt and the ghost of the butcher's wife fly high upon a red ladder. The music alone will bring me back to see it again!!!!!
"Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take, but by moments
that take our breath away."
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain."
Updated On: 7/12/04 at 06:36 PM
ponine24601
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
#1re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 6:46pmthanks for the review! i LOVED when the floor tilted during 'tevye's dream'. i think that that song was the highlight of the show. Another one of the performers that really got my attention was Laura Shoop who played Hodel. I liked her version of Far From the Home I Love better than LMK's. Robert Petkoff also was amazing in my eyes. When he belts the last note during Now I Have Everything, my heart melts!
"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions."
~The one and only John Lennon
#2re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 6:53pmYes, I should have mentioned Robert Petkoff. I hope this show stays on Broadway a little while as I have to see it again soon!!!!!!!!
"Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take, but by moments
that take our breath away."
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain."
#4re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 6:58pmI saw Boy From Oz, Avenue Q, Wicked and Forbidden Broadway in three days. Wish I could have seen this Fiddler too, but alas I had to get to work. I love (even though he is trashed in FB) Leveaux's direction. :) Yay NINE!
" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."
#5re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 7:29pmGood choices for shows Glebb. Nine was great!!!!!! Isn't it a pain when work gets in the way!!!!!!!!!!
"Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take, but by moments
that take our breath away."
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain."
#6re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:38pmNINE was divine. :)
" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."
LouW95
Leading Actor Joined: 9/27/03
#7re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:43pmFiddler is a classic. The new production is far less impressive than the original production with the wonderful revolving stages.In addition, I dont think the orchestra on the stage helps recreate the look of Anatevka. It totally distracted me throughout this production. Updated On: 7/12/04 at 08:43 PM
LouW95
Leading Actor Joined: 9/27/03
#8re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:43pmFiddler should be seen by every fan of musical theatre. It ranks with the greats--even if this production is not up to the original. Updated On: 7/12/04 at 08:43 PM
#9re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:44pm
I love that the original production had sets based on Chagall. What are the current sets like?
" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#10re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/12/04 at 9:04pm
You can hear Mark on BWW.com RADIO.
Mark Lotito
from THE FROG PRINCE
“Talents to Tap” with Michael Winther and Nora Mae Lyng
ponine24601
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
#11re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/13/04 at 12:19pmthe current set is basically just trees and lanterns. then the back changes colors.*SPOILER, i think* there is also a roof that comes down at the beginning to reveal the fiddler.
"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions."
~The one and only John Lennon
#12re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/13/04 at 5:14pmAs stated in my post, the sets were simple and fit in with the story. I was not distracted by the orchestra at all as they were kind of hidden. I really did not notice them until well into the show.
"Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take, but by moments
that take our breath away."
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain."
ponine24601
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
#13re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/13/04 at 5:35pmyeah the orchestra was kind of hidden. i need to see this show again. it such a great production and the cast is just TOO FRICKIN NICE!!
"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions."
~The one and only John Lennon
#14re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/13/04 at 7:24pm
Yes, go see it!!!!!!!! It is a classic and should be seen by everyone. I got tixs again for the end of the month. I hate to see it close so fast. I do not think the grosses are that great. 
"Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take, but by moments
that take our breath away."
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain."
ponine24601
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
#15re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/13/04 at 7:25pmi will fight to keep it going if there are threats that it will close. this cast is WAAAAAYY too talented.
"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions."
~The one and only John Lennon
#16re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/13/04 at 7:34pmI am happy to see Jonathan Sharp was in it as one of the Russian Dancers. Johnny boy tried to pull me on the stage at Rocky Horror when it had Sebastian Bach in it. Then I saw him dance in a dream sequence in Dance of the Vampires. I was happy he got work in this show also.
"Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take, but by moments
that take our breath away."
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain."
ponine24601
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
#17re: Mart Lotito as Tevye
Posted: 7/13/04 at 7:58pmi saw david ayers in mamma mia like 2 years ago in february. he was sky and from the moment he stepped on stage i was a fan. he's so kind and sooo cute!
"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions."
~The one and only John Lennon
Videos