Fiddler on the Roof Review – To Life!

With book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and original Broadway production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has had a long and successful life on the stage and screen. Based on “Tevye and His Daughters,” written by Sholem Aleichem between 1894 and 1914, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF opened on Broadway in 1964, the first Broadway musical to surpass 3,000 performances (3,242 to be exact), and starred Zero Mostel. The musical went on to win nine Tony Awards and was adapted to a 1971 film. Actors in key roles over the years have included Theodore Bikel, Leonard Nimoy, Beatrice Arthur, Bette Middle, Adrienne Barbeau, and Pia Zadora. In 2024, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is proud to present FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, an exhilarating new production.

Jason Alexander – Photo by Jason Niedle

Tevye (Jason Alexander) is a poor and humble dairyman living in the Pale settlement of Imperial Russia at the turn of the twentieth century. Tevye lives with his wife Golde (Valerie Perri) and his five daughters, Tzeitel (Rachel Ravel), Hodel (Alanna J. Smith), Chava (Emerson Glick), Shprintze (Catherine Last), and Bielke (Ava Giselle Field). Alas, no sons. Three of his older teen daughters daydream about the perfect life – and especially the perfect mate – to be discovered, of course, by stetl matchmaker Yente (Eileen T’Kaye). As it turns out, rebel student Perchik (Remy Laider), impoverished tailor Motel (Cameron Mabie), and Russian Christian Fyedka (Sawyer Patterson) turn up even though way under Yente’s keen radar. But – regardless of the tiny and major crises which life offers – life goes on in the small Anatevka as the Jewish residents keep their century’s old traditions – only to find that current politics may have an unexpected and dire effect on their future.

Emerson Glick, Rachel Ravel, and Alanna J. Smith – Photo by Jason Niedle

Skillfully directed by Lonny Price, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is a fascinating peek at life in Tsarist Russia over 100 years ago. Each cast member does a superb job of portraying the life and times – and hopes and dreams – of each of the inhabitants of this village setting. With music direction by Alby Potts, the 17 very familiar tunes are rendered faithfully by the full La Mirada orchestra.

Jason Alexander and Valerie Perri – Photo by Jason Niedle

Anna Louizos’ scenic design is mouth-watering with costumes based on the original production by Catherine Zuber and wig/hair/makeup design by Kaitlin Yagen. Japhy Weideman’s lighting and Jonathan Burke’s sound richly complement the entire picture – composed, by the way with a full cast over 30. La Mirada has oudone itself in this superb and must-see production. This is a not-to-be-missed show which will delight and entertain, as well as offer some thought-provoking insights for today’s world. To quote Director Lonny Price, “Our choreographer, Lee Martino, and I have painstakingly tried to re-create what Jerome Robbins’ imagined and realized in 1964, beginning with his notion that the show is based on circles and community…(this is a) Tevye for a new generation…in what I believe to be one of the…best musicals every written.”

Cast of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Photo by Jason Niedle

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF runs through December 1, 2024, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, at 8 p.m. on Fridays, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays (no performance on Sunday 11/10 at 6:30 p.m.; regular Thursday performance on 11/28 (Thanksgiving) has been moved to Wednesday 11/27/24; added performance on Wednesday 11/20 at 7:30 p.m. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA. Tickets range from $34 to $109 (group and military discounts available; 50% off student tickets at select sections). For information and reservations, call 652-944-9801 or 714-994-6310 or go online.