|
|
Featured Image: GraceAnn Kontak (Hodel) and Austin J. Gresham (Perchik) in the North American Tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Photo by Joan Marcus
Review By: Victoria Durgin
Love, tragedy and the triumph of life through struggle filled the historic State Theater in Easton on April 24 when “Fiddler on the Roof” took to the stage following a performance rescheduling from last year. The company of cast and crew creating magic on stage has nationally toured this production since 2018 and performed two showings of the iconic musical on April 24 and 25.
“Fiddler on the Roof” first debuted on Broadway in 1964 and has since been revived in New York, London’s West End, and several national touring productions. The story centers on a small Jewish village called Anatevka in 1905. The main character, a poor milkman named Tevye, follows his Jewish traditions and customs as fervently as he can amidst change forcing itself onto the tiny community through shifts in culture and political tensions throughout imperial Russia. Along the way, the audience meets Tevye’s wife and five daughters and watches the highs and lows of marriage, friendship and the daily struggle many in the show face to find comfort and security. The show ends with the forced removal of Anatevka’s Jewish residents by the Russian constables controlling the area, and Tevye takes his wife and younger daughters to America.
The State Theater’s beautiful stage was a fitting backdrop for the gorgeous performances this company treated the audience to. Jonathan Hashmonay delivered a tender rendition of Tevye, taking viewers from laughter to tears with nothing more than a shift in tone or posture. His performance of perhaps the most famous song of the musical, “If I Were A Rich Man,” stayed in the mind long after the show had moved on to other numbers. Equally incredible was Maite Uzal who played Tevye’s wife Golde. The two left not a dry eye in the house in the second act during some of the most poignant numbers of the show, including “Do You Love Me?”.
“Fiddler on the Roof” depends on a wonderful ensemble cast of eccentric characters, and this production delivered on every one of them. The Rabbi (played by Christopher Hager) and revolutionary student Perchik (played by Austin J. Gresham) were particularly impactful as the story explored the tension between traditions of an old world and the forward thinking of the new age.
Another highlight of the ensemble was also a bit of a homecoming for the State Theater. Lauren Steinert, who played Rivka in this production, is a 2016 graduate of Bangor High School. She also participated in the State Theater’s Freddy Awards program celebrating high school theater while she attended Bangor. Steinert went on to graduate from Moravian University in Bethlehem. This tour is her first professional theater appearance.
While “Fiddler on the Roof” was first performed in 1064, Hashmonay reminded the audience after cast bows that themes of refugees and anti-semitic acts are unfortunately all too applicable today. On behalf of the entire company, Hashmonay dedicated their performance to “all refugees and victims of hate” currently experiencing hardship in Ukraine and around the world.
For more information about upcoming shows at the State Theatre visit https://statetheatre.org/
