By Melissa Een and Eliza Een
What started as a few resonant short stories written by Sholem Aleichem at the turn of the Twentieth Century became a Broadway musical in 1964 with book by Joseph Stein, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and music by Jerry Bock. In the 50 years since its Broadway debut, The Fiddler on the Roof has become a global favorite with a long history of making the specific and quotidian both universal and significant within a context of family and faith. We see ourselves in the characters as they struggle to balance past traditions and future possibilities within an unprecedented present.
Andrew Lambert’s Tevye is full of life and wry humor in his monologue asides to God. Lambert did a good job in his songs, which were full of personality, especially in “If I Were a Rich Man.” Another favorite was “The Dream,” in which his performance was complemented by a slew of spirits and his wife Golde, played by Shani Harper, whose strong superstition brought a fun flavor to this beloved scene.
Tzeitel (Emma Elison) is the trailblazing older sister who begins the family trend of marrying for love. Elison’s performance highlights Tzeitel’s committed nature and is tailored to complement Ryan Ward’s shy, earnest Motel. Tevye’s second daughter Hodel (Elisha Garrett) is the determined and quick-witted girl who falls in love with the radical idealist Perchik (Ethan Kelso). Garrett and Kelso are fun to watch, both together and individually, as they play this forward-thinking couple. Kelso is charismatic and likeable, and I loved Garrett’s heartfelt performance of “Far From the Home I Love.”
Jenna Hart plays the middle child, Chava, opposite her real-life husband Nate Hart (Fyedka). The Harts were a personal favorite of mine, and watching Chava and Fyedka’s romance develop onstage from playful flirting over a shared interest in books to their graceful dance in “Chava Sequence” was a delight.
Outside of Tevye’s family, the cast is filled with eccentric characters like the meddling Yente (Megan Christensen), the two-faced Constable (Mark Buffington), the lonely butcher Lazar Wolf (Kyle Harper), and the wise and wizened Rabbi (Abraham Lee). The ensemble of Mamas, Papas, Sons, and Daughters make up a harmonious chorus of voices. I particularly enjoyed them in the hauntingly beautiful “Sunrise, Sunset.”
The choreography (Olivia Keating) throughout the show is energetic and engaging, as the ensemble balances many different styles. The scenic design by Chase Ramsey was perfectly rugged, with great attention to utility and detail. The lighting worked seamlessly with the set, transforming the set to match the tone of the scene and brilliantly showcasing the perpetual sunrises and sunsets. It’s clear that director Kurt Elison has a deep love for this show, and he and assistant director Jennilene Ward created a very special show.
The Fiddler on the Roof is a beautiful, classic, and family-friendly show—a perfect ending to the SCERA Shell’s outdoor musical season.
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theater presents The Fiddler on the Roof by Joseph Stein
SCERA Park, 600 South 400 East, Orem, UT 84058
August 2–20, 2024: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays @ 8:00 PM
Ticket Prices: $12–20 ; Fiddler on the Roof (tickets.com)
Contact: 801-225-ARTS
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theater Facebook Page
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