Miracle of miracles, ‘Fiddler’ begins North American tour in Pittsburgh
While the original “Fiddler” production won nine Tony Awards in 1965, this rendition should prove that the sun has yet to set on this story.
Tradition dictates these performances will be worth seeing. Between Nov. 20 and 25, “Fiddler on the Roof” will captivate audiences at the Benedum Center (237 Seventh St. in the city’s Cultural District), telling the classic tale of Tevye, his five daughters, and his pursuit to preserve Jewish heritage and ritual in light of increasing pressures. The classic musical is based on a series of short stories by Sholem Aleichem.
“Fiddler” will begin its new North American tour with eight Steel City shows under the direction of Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher and will feature, in the words of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, “a wonderful cast and a lavish orchestra.”
“We could not be more joyful for the Tony-nominated revival of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ that will tour to Pittsburgh and play the Benedum Center as part of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series,” said Marc Fleming, vice president of marketing and communications at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Given Sher’s prior successes in bringing “The King and I,” “South Pacific” and the 2017 Tony-winner “Oslo” to Pittsburgh, Fleming is confident that the “Fiddler” revival will follow suit; additionally, because of the “stunning movement and dance by the acclaimed Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter,” which is “based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins,” attendees will be certain to enjoy something spectacular.
While the original “Fiddler” production won nine Tony Awards in 1965, including a special Tony in 1972 for becoming the longest-running musical in Broadway history, this rendition should prove that the sun has yet to set on this story.
New York Magazine called the new Fiddler “an entirely fresh, funny, and gorgeous new production. A reason for celebration.”
Charles Isherwood of The New York Times similarly described the new production as “superb,” writing, “The sorry state of the world gives us new reason to appreciate the depth of feeling so powerfully, so ingeniously embedded in ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ the much-loved and much-revived 1964 musical comedy that has returned to Broadway at a time when its story of the gradual disintegration of a family, and a community, strikes home with unusual force.”
Added Mark Kennedy, of the Associated Press, the production is a “remarkable achievement. From the first moment to the profound last, this ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is a triumph. The show is the star.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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