FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Comes to San Jose: March 15-20

The national tour of Fiddler on the Roof took the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts by storm - literally. But as the rain poured outside, nothing could diminish the reception inside of this timeless story of endurance, family and love. Playing through March 20th, this latest rendition of Fiddler on the Roof is heartwarming and memorable.

John Preece takes on the role of Tevye, the milkman, a character he has played over 1,700 times. Tevye lives in the small Russian village of Anatevka with his wife Golda (Nancy Evans) and five daughters. It's a time of sweeping change across the Russian landscape of 1905 and everything is shaky. Tevye shares with the audience that he and the rest of the villagers are like a fiddler trying to play while standing on a pointed roof

"And how do we keep our balance?" he asks. "That I can tell you in one word! Tradition!" And so begins the rousing song "Tradition" which introduces us to the theme, the rest of the cast and, of course, the incomparable Tony-award winning music (Jerry Bock) and lyrics (Sheldon Harnick). The 1965 score is indelibly etched into the national culture and is still capable of whimsy and wonder in the hands of this capable cast.

Preece is altogether charming as the patriarch of his Jewish family, his humor and timing impeccable and fresh, even after so many performances. He and Evans have an easy chemistry together, especially in the tender song, "Do You Love Me."

Director Sammy Dallas Bayes, reproduces the original Jerome Robbins choreography for this show, which is reason enough to go see it. The bottle dance and Russian folk dancing, together with Tevye's signature hand-waving moves are a delight to see in their original formation.

Costume Designer Tony Ray Hicks brings us an interesting palette of pinks, mauves and forest greens that didn't seem quite fitting to the 1905 setting. Equally unsettling were the bright fuchsias and florescent greens in the dream sequence ensemble costumes. Hicks is stronger when he sticks to the more subtle tones indicative of life in a village filled with Jewish poor.

Standouts include Kevin Stangler as Perchik, the student, Birdie Newman Katz as the nosy, but affable Yente, the matchmaker, and Andrea Spencer Christiansen as Mama-Surcha in the dream sequence.

But the show belongs to Preece in the role of the ever-put-upon papa, Tevye. His asides to the audience and to God and the fiddler, (who represents their traditional ways), sprinkled throughout the performance add levity to an otherwise untenable living situation.

As the story ends, and Tevye and his family make ready to leave Anatevka, everything has changed. They take what meager belongings they can but when Tevye beckons for the fiddler to come with them we know that some traditions, much like this production of Fiddler on the Roof, will live on.

Fiddler on the Roof

Broadway San Jose now thru March 20th

Tickets available at www.broadwaysanjose.com

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg

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