A new ‘Tradition’? PSO and CLO collaborate for ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ concert

Even without the aid of a matchmaker, it seems bashert that the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh CLO would partner on producing a concert version of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Fusing the talents of Broadway stars, local entertainers and the PSO’s 65-piece orchestra, the production, which runs Feb. 23-25 at Heinz Hall, will feature John Williams’ adapted Oscar Award-winning score to the 1971 film (which starred Chaim Topol and Norma Crane).

“I am thrilled to witness artists from each of our companies coming together to create a special performance that focuses equally on the music of this incredible show and the story it tells,” said PSO Vice President of Popular Programming Shelly Fuerte, who is also the executive producer for this concert.

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While there will be an “emphasis on the music,” there’s also an 80-person choir and actors with assigned roles, CLO’s Executive Producer Mark Fleischer said.

But don’t expect a full-blown production of the musical that won nine Tony Awards.

“There’ll be minimal costuming to give suggestion — just sort of taking us through the show with enough clues and hints to give it a satisfying following for those who don’t know it. … There’s actually dialogue, there is movement, but really, at the heart of this is going to be this John Williams score, played by the amazing Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra,” he said.

Fleischer said he is excited about the collaboration between the two cultural mainstays, something that’s been in the works for some time.

The PSO and CLO began exploring the idea of partnering shortly before the pandemic shut down theaters, he said. The idea was to produce a collaborative show to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the PSO, which coincided with the CLO’s 75th anniversary.

“Then, we all know what happened,” Fleischer said.

But when theaters eventually reopened, talks to collaborate resumed.

“We always kept saying, ‘Is there something we can do together? How do we cross over our audiences?,’” Fleischer said, noting that creating partnerships has become “increasingly important for arts groups.”

The CLO and PSO wanted to do a “classic,” Fleischer said, and “Fiddler on the Roof” fit the bill. The CLO had not produced that show for some time, and its themes seemed appropriate in light of current events.

“Obviously, the connection with Anatevka and Ukraine was in our minds,” Fleischer said. “And also the way that Jews have been treated throughout history and yet survive, and yet we go on. We thought that story of resilience and tradition, and the evolving of this family in town, was really something that still spoke today.”

The production features Shuler Hensley as Tevye. Hensley starred in Broadway’s “The Music Man,” playing the role of Marcellus Washburn with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, and played Tom Kettle in Broadway’s “The Ferryman.”

Anne L. Nathan stars as Golde. Nathan has appeared on Broadway in “It Shoulda Been You,” “Funny Girl,” “Once,” “Sunday in The Park with George,” “Chicago,” “Assassins” and the original companies of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Ragtime.”

The supporting cast is comprised of Pittsburgh talent including The Tamburitzans and students from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, as well as the Hamlisch-Page Student Chorus under the direction of Christine Hestwood. Two young students from the CLO Academy of Musical Theater are also featured.

Fleischer is enthusiastic about the melding of national and local talent, something that the CLO is known for, he said.

“It’s that mix that it makes the show so exciting, but also helps launch careers and nurture homegrown talent as they work alongside these veterans of Broadway,” he said. “To me, that’s the magic sauce that makes a CLO production, and to bring that to the symphony for this project, continuing that part of our mission, is really great.”

Andy Einhorn, who most recently served as the music supervisor and musical director for the Broadway productions “Hello, Dolly!” starring Bette Midler and “Carousel” starring Renée Fleming, will conduct the PSO. The show is directed and choreographed by Jewish Argentinian artist Gustavo Zajac, who directed Quantum Theatre’s “The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk” last fall in Pittsburgh. PJC

Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.