The main parking lot at Music Hall Fair Park was almost at capacity forty-five minutes before the second night of DSM’s Fiddler on the Roof. The large audience seemed to enjoy this revival of a popular, beloved classic.
Set in bleak, dark Pale of Settlement in 1905 Imperial Russia, the story is about Tevye the Dairyman and his five daughters as he attempts to maintain Jewish religious and cultural traditions in those politically dark and trying times.
At first, Yehezkel Lazarov, seemed to be a surprising choice for the role of Tevye, played by Zero Mostel in the original and first revival on Broadway. Yehezkel’s portrayal of the role demonstrated a younger, more light-hearted character that revealed a modern personality not traditionally seen in this story. The Daughters, Mel Weyn as Tzeitel, Ruthy Froch’s Hodel, Natalie Powers as proto-feminist Chava, Danielle Allen’s Shprintze and Emerson Glick as Bielke were all spot-on as was Maite Uzal as Tevye’s wife Golde. Self-emancipating tailor Motel, (Jesse Weil) and the socialist agitator revolutionary Perchik by Ryne Narecchia were solid.
There is a large photo op banner just inside the Music Hall that screams “An entirely fresh, funny & gorgeous new production.” The dances signal important turning points of the story and the songs display well-wrought emotion.
The largest, attention getting scene occurred during “Tevye’s Dream” with characters from beyond the grave and butcher Lazar Wolf (Jonathan von Mering) who carries a meat cutter in a bellicose manner.
Act One has “To Life,” (L’Chaim!), set in a bar, that features Tevye, butcher Wolf and the villagers performing a robust, well-choreographed number. “The Wedding” at the end of Act One, refreshed by choreographer Hofesh Schechter, is simply spectacular and inspirational with an energetic fusing of the Hora and Kazachok.
Favorite numbers were “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and “Do You Love Me?” Tradition indeed. “If I Were A Rich Man” was not as inspiring and moving as other stage and film productions.
DSM’s Fiddler is still a testament to people bound by habit and love and destroyed by ignorance and bigotry. Now through August 18, 2019 at Fair Park Music Hall in Dallas and August 20th through the 25th at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.