Trending

Advertisement

Welk’s “Fiddler on the Roof” does not disappoint

Share

Starting with a powerful rendition of “Tradition” and sustaining that quality of performance throughout, Welk Resort Theatre’s “Fiddler on the Roof” does not disappoint.

The multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is appearing on the Welk’s Escondido stage through April 24, with New York-based actor Rudy Martinez excelling as family patriarch Tevye, a poor milkman fighting a losing battle over maintaining tradition.

Set in the small, predominantly Jewish town of Anatevka in 1905 Russia, the villagers are coming to terms with political unrest, government animosity toward Jews and their community’s younger residents bucking tradition, favoring more personal interactions between men and women (like dancing together) and marriages based on love, even if that means marrying outside of the faith or against one’s parents’ wishes.

Tevye; his wife, Golde (Wendy Waddell), and five daughters are front-and-center for this period of societal and political change, representing households’ struggles in Anatevka and other villages as Jews were forced out of their homes by Russian leaders.

At the turn of the 20th century, marriages in Anatevka are still arranged by a Yente (Susan E.V. Boland), which is what Tevye and Golde expect for their daughters. The three oldest — Tzeitel (Kelly Derouin), Hodel (Nicki Elledge) and Chava (Olivia Hodson) — have other ideas.

Initially the girls accept that Yente holds their fates in her hands, but as they progress through the song “Matchmaker” — a number with cute choreography filled with youthful exuberance — it becomes apparent that they are reluctant to marry at such a young age, especially if Yente picks much older men for them.

That scenario becomes reality for Tzeitel when, per Yente’s matchmaking, Tevye agrees to her marrying the widower Lazar Wolf (Scott Ramp). Though Tevye has never liked the man — who is older than himself — he agrees since Lazar is a wealthy butcher, a guarantee that Tzeitel will be hungry. But Tzeitel is in love with childhood friend Motel (Ben Williams), a poor tailor with lots of ambition. Secretly, they pledged their love — and promised to marry — without telling their parents or involving a Yente.

How things unfold with Tzeitel sets the stage for her younger sisters to push boundaries and their father’s patience even further.

Kathy Brombacher, founder/artistic director emeritus of Moonlight Stage Productions for 32 years, directs the Welk’s show. Her staging, combined with Orlando Alexander’s choreographic talent, makes this “Fiddler” worth seeing. They deserve special kudos for a very creative staging of “The Dream,” where Tevye has to get Golde to accept his decision regarding whom Tzeitel will marry.

Of course, Brombacher and Alexander’s efforts would not be successful were it not for the 19 cast members’ abilities. In addition to memorial performances by Martinez and Waddell, others deserving mention include Williams for his portrayal of the timid Motel; Jacob Hoff for his performance as intellectual revolutionary Perchik; and Derouin, Elledge and Hodson for playing the girls torn between doing what is expected of them and following their hearts.

Some of the best musical numbers include Martinez’s “If I Were a Rich Man,” a song that along with “Tradition” showcased his rich voice. His duet with Waddell, when asking “Do You Love Me?” was sweet. Others include the lively “To Life,” Williams’ “Miracles of Miracles,” Hoff’s “Now I Have Everything” and Elledge’s “Far From the Home I Love.”

“Fiddler on the Roof” can be seen at 1 p.m. Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; plus 8 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through April 24. Tickets are $49, with group/subscriber discounts available. An optional pre-show buffet is $19. Purchase at welkresorts.com or call 888-802-7469.

The Welk Resort Theatre is at 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive in Escondido. Parking is free.

Advertisement