Eric Schiffer and Iggi El Kouatli (Photo by Michael Hardy & Jonathan David Lewis)
Reviewed by Taylor Kass
Long Beach Playhouse
Through Aug. 3
RECOMMENDED
In the little village of Anatevka, things happen as they always have – until now. It’s 1905, and radical ideas and political violence have made their way to this tight-knit Jewish community. The classic musical Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of Tevye (Eric Schiffer), a hard-working milkman and father of five daughters who is guided by his intimate and immediate relationship with God. Long Beach Playhouse’s production, joyously directed by Gregory Cohen, illuminates the humor and familial love present in this iconic story even as it asks an alarming question – when the traditions that create the foundation of religion, family, and everyday life are threatened, what is left?
In “Tradition,” Fiddler on the Roof’s impactful opening number, the citizens of Anatevka introduce themselves according to their clearly defined societal roles: fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, rabbi, matchmaker, and Russian Christian police live in long-standing harmony because of their strict and time-honored traditions. Choreography by Kysa Cohen illustrates this delicate balance, particularly in the precise movements of full-ensemble numbers. The energy falters in the show’s second act, due to multiple slower ballads and staging/choreography that is less intricate than the energetic first half. However, the cast successfully lands each of Fiddler’s emotionally striking moments. In particular, the performances of Cassie Angerosa-Korrie, Rachel Girardet, and Lorelei Dumas as Tevye’s daughters Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava (respectively) are both heartbreaking and heartfelt.
Just as the unforgettable character of Tevye sits at the soul of the musical, Eric Schiffer’s leading performance anchors this production. Tevye’s wit and humor shines through in Schiffer’s natural charm and comedic timing. But more than that, Schiffer’s rendering of Tevye’s heart and vulnerability lets the audience in as Tevye grapples with unsettling moral dilemmas. In a politically volatile time, Tevye must decide what to do when what’s best for his family seems to be at odds with everything he knows to be true about the world. Which, of course, may be the most universal and enduring tradition of them all.
The Studio, Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Aug. 3. www.LBPlayhouse.org. Running time: three hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
