DETROIT — The Detroit engagement of “Fiddler on the Roof” has arrived. The Tony Award-nominated Broadway revival is at the Fisher Theatre from March 10-15, 2020.
Set in Russia around 1905, “Why is there a fiddler on the roof? “Tradition, in one word,” says Tevye (Yehezkel Lazarov) the milkman. How did this tradition start? “I don’t know.” The Musical begins when Tevre and the Villagers sing the classical song “Tradition.”
The story is based on Tevye and his five daughters. “Yes, five,” he says. He wants to maintain his Jewish beliefs but gets entangled with outside influences that disrupt their religious tradition. His often-sarcastic and somewhat bossy wife, Golde (Maite Uzal) wants their daughters to marry with the help of a matchmaker, Yente (Carol Beaugard). Yente arrives on scene with news that Lazar Wolf (Jonathan Von Mering) a wealthy butcher wants to marry their oldest daughter Tzeitel (Kelly Gabrielle Murphy). However, Tzeitel has other ideas. She wants to marry her childhood friend, Motel (Nick Siccone), a tailor. Motel is very poor but has plans to support her by buying his very own sewing machine to make clothes instead of by hand.
Motel is afraid to tell Tevye due to his raging temper. But does. Tevye does not like the situation and announces that Yente is supposed to be the matchmaker for the girls. However, the three oldest girls break tradition, move further away from their Jewish custom, and marry for love. Chaos ensues within the family.
Several classic musical numbers, such as “Sunrise, Sunset”, “If I were a Rich Man” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” are included in the performance. There is also smoke, haze and laser during the show. The musical lasted just shy of three hours which included a 15-minute intermission.
The original “Fiddler on the Roof” opened in 1964. But in 1965, the show won a Tony Award for Best Musical in addition to eight other Tony Awards that year.
I really enjoyed “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Fisher Theatre. I liked the storyline, set decorations and it was easy to follow. The costumes were consistent with the time period. This was my first time ever seeing Fiddler.
Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased online at http://www.broadwayindetroit.com or http://www.ticketmaster.com. Also tickets may be purchased by phone at 800-982-2787 and at the Fisher Theatre box office.
Performance times are: Tuesday through Saturday evening at 8 p.m. Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Special open captioned and audio described performance on Friday, March 13 at 8 p.m.