Fiddler on the Roof at the Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts (theatre review)

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg

It’s amazing how a play that you thought was imprinted in your brain ends up somehow disappearing from it. I had seen “El Violinista en el Tejado” (Spanish translation for “Fiddler On The Roof“) in Mexico when I was a child, and I completely, utterly forgot the thread and the main gist of the play. So much so that when I wrote about it earlier in my preview post on Fliddler on the Roof, playing at the Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts until tonight! (a very short run, I might add), I completely forgot about the music. I took JT as my Plus One for this show and as soon as we began listening to “Matchmaker, Matchmaker”, it was like I had somehow my memory refreshed. As a musical, this production of Fiddler on the Roof does the job.

It’s a well-executed, well-performed series of musical theatre scenes. I shed tears with the rendition of “Do You Love Me” by Tevye and Golde (John Preece and Nancy Evans) struck a chord with me. I am someone who NEEDS to hear that I am loved. Fiddler on the Roof is a fine piece of musical theatre that depicts the reality of family life. The loving relationship of a man (Tevye) with his daughters is told within a framework that explores the inescapability of change: his first daughter’s (non-arranged) marriage changed the way Tevye’s daughters related to their father; his second daughter’s (Chava) marriage outside of the Jewish faith to the lovely Fyedka (a charming Michael Shultz who, at times, steals the show) makes Tevye question his own faith and customs vis-a-vis the reality of a changing society that requests more flexibility from him.

And then there’s the historical piece that comes with Fiddler on the Roof: the storyline of Russians expelling the Jews from Anatevka. Heartbreaking and poignant. While the choreography and singing of Fiddler on the Roof are mighty fine, it’s the history lesson that makes this show all worth it. And of course, who doesn’t like wonderful dance and singing?

Fiddler on the Roof closes tonight May 1st at 8pm at the Centre for the Performing Arts. You can get tickets here.

Disclosure: I had media tickets to attend the musical theatre performance. This post hasn’t been paid nor am I obligated to write a review. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times, and producers and publicists are well aware of this. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.

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