Thomas Edison High School’s production of "Fiddler on the Roof" is a heart-warming story of love, pain, tradition and change.
"Fiddler on the Roof" was first performed on Broadway in 1964 and completed over 3,000 shows. It won nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, and has been revived four times on Broadway as well as becoming a successful movie.
The story begins in 1905 in the small village of Anatevka, Russia, where life for Tevye and his wife and five daughters has been the same forever. But when Tevye's eldest daughter, Tzeitel, decides to reject her father's chosen match for her and marry a poor tailor, it sets off a chain of reactions that forces Tevye to question tradition and his beliefs.
The simplistic style of early 20th century rural Russia was embodied perfectly by the plain clothing, sets and props in the production. The cast was able to do a lot with very few embellishments.
Tevye (Blair Hicks) did an excellent job with a part that was both serious and funny. The audience never tired of hearing his monologues with God, and his light humor kept the show alive. Perchik (Justin Ahdoot), the tutor hired by Tevye for his daughters, was also very persuasive in his role and left the audience in no doubt of his beliefs.
Tevye's three eldest daughters, Tzeitel (Alex Riehle), Hodel (Isabella Ness) and Chava (Kim Ness), all had very clear and endearing vocals throughout the entire show.
The set changes, carried out by the cast members, were fast and quiet. There were some parts during the show where the audience was unable to hear some actors, but this was not a hindrance to the show. The props, such as Tevye's old wooden cart and Tzeitel's husband's sewing machine, added a folksy touch to the musical.
Thomas Edison's production of "Fiddler on the Roof" is a beautiful story of the universal changes a society endures every day, and how the decisions we make can affect our lives forever.