Theater Review: Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish

If you’re a fan of musical theater, there’s a high probability that you know the words to at least one song from Fiddler on the Roof. This 1964 musical is a classic in the theater world; in fact, it won nine Tony Awards when it premiered. Since then, it’s been revived across the globe. So, hearing that there is another revival of the show can leave you scratching your head. Is it really going to be fresh, timely, or unique? The answer in this case is “yes.” Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish feels both familiar and new.

The driving force behind the feel of newsness of this production is, of course, the fact that the dialogue is all in Yiddish. The translation into Yiddish is by Shraga Friedman and supertitles appear in English on fabric and butcher paper panels at the back sides of the stage. Taking in the production in a different language makes it feel new; the fact that the language is Yiddish, the language the characters would be speaking in, adds even more depth to the story.

Tevye (Steven Skybell) and Golde (Jennifer Babuak) raise their family of daughters in the village of Anatevka. The village teems with life–the Jewish villagers and the Russian soldiers–and the residents’ lives will tug at your heartstrings. Yente (Jackie Hoffman)’s matchmaking skills never fully work out for Tevye’s family. Yente attempts to match the eldest, Tsaytl (Rachel Zatcoff) with Leyzer-Volf (Bruce Sabath) only to lose her to a marriage of love to Motl (I saw understudy Michael Einav). The next eldest, Hodl (Stephanie Lynne Mason), falls for young Bolshevik revolutionary Pertshik (Drew Seigla). And the third eldest, Khave (Rosie Jo Neddy), falls for a Russian soldier. The divisive lines between “us” and “them,” the changing of traditions, and the tale of the villagers eventual forcible exit from Anatevka feel incredibly timely which also make this production arresting.

Under the direction of award-winning actor Joel Grey, the cast brings this story about the residents of Anatevka to life in a simple yet emotional way. Steven Skybell as patriarch Tevye is outstanding. Skybell plays the character with a natural warmth that at once engages and, at the end, devastates. Jennifer Babuak as his wife, Golde, is a good match for him. Generally, the entire cast is quite solid. As the cast performs much-beloved songs, from “If I Were a Rich Man” (now, in Yiddish, “If I Were a Rothschild”) to “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” you’ll be enchanted.

For more information on Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, please click here.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy