At NSMT, beloved ‘Fiddler’ gets superb retelling

By Rich Fahey

BEVERLY – With the first strains of the violin, the North Shore Music Theatre’s production of the classic Tony and Oscar-winning musical “Fiddler on the Roof” immediately transports you to a faraway time and place.

The musical’s “Tradition” – featuring the full 33-person cast — is one of the more wonderful opening numbers in the history of musical theater, as the Jews who reside in the Russian village of Anatevka in the early 20^th Century drive a stake in the ground and explain who they are and what they stand for, and the importance of their rituals and customs in their daily lives.

In a world of upheaval, they cling to those customs and rituals as chill winds blow from the east in this musical based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem, as adapted for the stage by Joseph Stein with the timeless score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick.

The rousing, thrilling “Tradition” that opens NSMT’s superb production of “Fiddler on the Roof” is just one of many pleasures that await theater-goers in this production, which unfortunately will only be around until Sunday, June 16.

Kudos to all involved, obviously starting with director Robert W. Schneider, who makes sure that his large cast is in sync and the designers take care of details large and small. An example is Josh Assor’s reproduction of Jerome Robbins’ dazzling original choreography, skillfully adapted to NSMT’s in-the-round configuration.

The production numbers are simply off the charts, including “Tradition,” the rousing “To Life,” “The Dream,” or the show-stopping “Bottle Dance.” When the occasion is more somber. “Sabbath Prayer,” Sunrise, Sunset” and the heartbreakingly beautiful “Far From The Home I Love” are just as effective.

As Tevye, Jeremy Radin is younger and more vibrant than some past Tevye’s I’ve seen. He’s not quite as beaten down as others who have played the role, and still quite effective in his humorous conversations with The Almighty and his exasperation at dealing with his brood of five daughters, his wife and a lame horse. He moves beautifully and he wrings every last laugh out of Stein’s book.

Alaina Mills’ Golde is also one of the younger Golde’s I’ve seen play the role; she is  a no-nonsense mother trying to find suitable mates for her daughters while also showing them support and unrequited love; quite often, Tevye has met    his match in her.

Kathy St. George’s portrayal of Yente is pure comic gold, even as she hilariously, successfully bends and twists her native New England accent to become the town’s elderly matchmaker.

Tevye’s three eldest daughters – Tzeitel (Ellie Fishman), Hodel (Melody Munitz)  and Chava (Sophie Aknin) — combine for a funny, heartfelt  rendition of “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and then hold their own and then some in their dramatic moments with Radin and Mills.

Jordan Matthew Brown shines as Motel, who finds the courage to ask Tevye for his daughter’s hand and then celebrates his good fortune in “Miracle of Miracles.”

There’s also strong support from Ari Axelrod  as Perchik,  the revolutionary from Kiev who wins Hodel’s heart but scandalizes the village when he dances with her at Motel and Tzeitel’s wedding.

When Russian Tyler Okunski as Fyedka marries Chava outside the Jewish faith, it is the moment of reckoning for Tevye.

There’s fine comic turns by Robert Saoud as the oft-befuddled Rabbi and Mary Callanan as Grandma Tzeitel, who comes back from the grave to help Tevye wriggle out of the arranged marriage between Tzeitel and the butcher Lazar Wolf (Patrick Wetzel).

Music director Miles Plant heads a 12-piece orchestra that works beautifully with sound designer James Cannon to make sure no note or voice goes unheard.
Special mention to Felix Herbst, the skilled fiddler who moves in and out of the action.  

“Fiddler” has never lost its relevance, and the story of antisemitism rising up in Russia and forcing villagers to leave their homes at a moment’s notice mirrors recent world events.

There is no weak link here, no area where Schneider and his cast and designers have come up short. Sit back and enjoy a classic beautifully acted and staged.

The North Shore Music Theatre production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Book by Joseph Stein. Music by Jerry Bock. Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem by special permission of Arnold Perl. Produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince. Originally directed and choreographed on the New York Stage by Jerome Robbins. Directed by Robert W. Schneider. At the North Shore Music Theatre through June 16. Nsmt.org.

Jeremy Radin (Tevye) and Alaina Mills (Golde) in “Fiddler on the Roof” at North Shore Music Theatre thru June 16. Photo © David Costa