Spring Break
The Daily OrangePassionless 'Fiddler on the Roof' rendition hits Syracuse Stage
By Jennifer Williams
Posted: 12/2/07, 11:22 PM EST Section: Feature
IF YOU GO:
What: "Fiddler on the Roof"
Where: Syracuse Stage
When: Now through Dec. 30
How Much: $22-$48
Despite its classic status, the current Syracuse Stage production of "Fiddler on the Roof" doesn't deserve a hearty "Mazel Tov."
The cast of the SU Drama Department's most recent musical fails to do justice to the show's simple plot, a solid mix of musical numbers and passionate characters. Instead, the audience yearns for the cast to sing with more passion, cry with more heart and perfect their inconsistent accents with a history class or two.
Based on the Yiddish short stories of writer Sholem Aleichem, "Fiddler" is set in the small, Russian village during the Russian Revolution of 1905.
The protagonist, Tevye (Stuart Zagnit), a poor Jewish milkman, is married to the nagging Golde (Mary Gutzi). The play opens as he speaks to the audience as the fiddler (Michael Rios) bows away on the rooftop above.
His monologue makes way for the cast's passionless rendition of the classic "Tradition," a song that sets the stage for the strict Judaism that dictates the characters' lives.
Much of the plot revolves around the religiously controlled romances of Tevye's three eldest daughters: Tzeitel (Nadine Malouf), Chava (Arielle Lever) and Hodel (Catherine Charlebois) and pressure to marry the "right" man.
Throughout the play, the hilarious matchmaker Yente (an excellent Mary Ellen Ashley) hobbles around the stage waving her cane as she tries to find matches for the daughters. Following her antics is the song "Matchmaker," where the girls share their hopes and worries about arranged marriages with the audience.
When Tevye's troubles become too much to bear, he often looks up at the sky and talks to God. The easily recognizable song "If I Were a Rich Man," normally a standout, disappointed the audience with Zagnit's singing sounding forced and unnatural. Not even the beat of a tambourine and a little jig could liven up a song about a fantasy plush life without poverty.
A few songs and an arranged marriage proposal later, the cast launches into "To Life," a redeemable number due to its creative and well-executed dance sequence. All of the dancing throughout the production kept the musical numbers entertaining, despite the forced acting and passionless solos.
Another musical standout was "The Dream," a colorful illustration of Tevye's nightmare about his daughter Tzeitel's soon-to-be husband Lazar Wolf (Nicholas F. Saverine). As Tevye and Golde lie in bed amid spooky lighting and smoke effects, ghosts swirl around, and Lazar Wolfe's dead widow Fruma Sarah (Rachel Baker) ferociously steals the number as she screeches threats (with a beautiful singing voice underneath) and jumps on the couple's bed.
By the time the shorter Act II rolls around, the classic upbeat "Fiddler" songs have since been sung and melancholy twists of intermarriage and political instability plague the plot.
In terms of entertainment value, "Fiddler on the Roof" will not disappoint, especially around the holiday season. But when it comes to taking the simple plot to the next level with amazing musical numbers and superb acting, "Fiddler" simply fizzles.
What: "Fiddler on the Roof"
Where: Syracuse Stage
When: Now through Dec. 30
How Much: $22-$48
Despite its classic status, the current Syracuse Stage production of "Fiddler on the Roof" doesn't deserve a hearty "Mazel Tov."
The cast of the SU Drama Department's most recent musical fails to do justice to the show's simple plot, a solid mix of musical numbers and passionate characters. Instead, the audience yearns for the cast to sing with more passion, cry with more heart and perfect their inconsistent accents with a history class or two.
Based on the Yiddish short stories of writer Sholem Aleichem, "Fiddler" is set in the small, Russian village during the Russian Revolution of 1905.
The protagonist, Tevye (Stuart Zagnit), a poor Jewish milkman, is married to the nagging Golde (Mary Gutzi). The play opens as he speaks to the audience as the fiddler (Michael Rios) bows away on the rooftop above.
His monologue makes way for the cast's passionless rendition of the classic "Tradition," a song that sets the stage for the strict Judaism that dictates the characters' lives.
Much of the plot revolves around the religiously controlled romances of Tevye's three eldest daughters: Tzeitel (Nadine Malouf), Chava (Arielle Lever) and Hodel (Catherine Charlebois) and pressure to marry the "right" man.
Throughout the play, the hilarious matchmaker Yente (an excellent Mary Ellen Ashley) hobbles around the stage waving her cane as she tries to find matches for the daughters. Following her antics is the song "Matchmaker," where the girls share their hopes and worries about arranged marriages with the audience.
When Tevye's troubles become too much to bear, he often looks up at the sky and talks to God. The easily recognizable song "If I Were a Rich Man," normally a standout, disappointed the audience with Zagnit's singing sounding forced and unnatural. Not even the beat of a tambourine and a little jig could liven up a song about a fantasy plush life without poverty.
A few songs and an arranged marriage proposal later, the cast launches into "To Life," a redeemable number due to its creative and well-executed dance sequence. All of the dancing throughout the production kept the musical numbers entertaining, despite the forced acting and passionless solos. Another musical standout was "The Dream," a colorful illustration of Tevye's nightmare about his daughter Tzeitel's soon-to-be husband Lazar Wolf (Nicholas F. Saverine). As Tevye and Golde lie in bed amid spooky lighting and smoke effects, ghosts swirl around, and Lazar Wolfe's dead widow Fruma Sarah (Rachel Baker) ferociously steals the number as she screeches threats (with a beautiful singing voice underneath) and jumps on the couple's bed.
By the time the shorter Act II rolls around, the classic upbeat "Fiddler" songs have since been sung and melancholy twists of intermarriage and political instability plague the plot.
In terms of entertainment value, "Fiddler on the Roof" will not disappoint, especially around the holiday season. But when it comes to taking the simple plot to the next level with amazing musical numbers and superb acting, "Fiddler" simply fizzles.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Shelley Hendler
posted 12/03/07 @ 1:37 PM EST
I couldn't disagree more with Ms.Williams review of the play. I, as well as the group of people who saw the show with me, felt the show was full of passion and extremely well done, as evidenced by a rousing standing ovation. (Continued…)
Katie Garton
posted 12/04/07 @ 6:00 PM EST
I completely agree with Ms. Williams. I went to the musical hoping it to be better than my high school's production, but I was disappointed. It was probably on the same level or even a little bit lower. (Continued…)
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