STAGE WEST: Moonlight Stage Productions' "Fiddler on the Roof"

"Fiddler on the Roof" returns to the Moonlight Amphitheatre after 13 years.     Karli Cadel Photography

          I’ve seen “Fiddler on the Roof” maybe five or six times, and twice now in 13 years at Moonlight Amphitheatre, and this was the first time my mind wandered. How could it not? As the second act evolves toward the Russian expulsion of the Jews from the shtetl of Anatevka I thought of the evil that is Vladimir Putin and the lap dog of his that is Donald Trump. The two of them riding around in “the beast” like privileged BFFs. I felt a tug at my heart when student/activist Perchik (Tanner Vydos) arrives in Anatevka and introduces himself as being from Kyiv, which is now the capital of Ukraine. I reflected on a personal history I know very little about and wondered if ancestors on my father’s side who lived in Russia were subjected to the pogroms.
          Deep breath.
          Continue.
        I have a short list of stage musicals that I can see over and over again and never tire of. “Fiddler’s” on that list. More than 60 years after its arrival, it remains an alternately moving and rousing work of theater art. Its historical and political commentaries aside (though who can put then aside?), its story of family, change, TRADITION! and the ever-constant “happiness and tears” of life will never lose its beauty or urgency.
          Moonlight’s production of “Fiddler” in 2012 is so memorable to me that, fair or not, I have to compare it to this one. I so admired David Ellenstein in the role of Tevye the milkman and father of five daughters that the 2025 Tevye, Danny Gurwin, doesn’t quite measure up. The integral warm, paternal side of Tevye, which gives “Fiddler” much of its heartbeat, is lacking – in spite of Gurwin’s obvious gifts for comic timing. Neither does Debra Wanger, in the role of Golda, linger with me as Victoria Strong did 13 years ago.
          This production’s daughters are wondrous: Megan Carmitchel as the eldest, Tzeitel; Melissa Musial as Hodel and Joy Newbegin as Chava. Solid too are Vydos’ Perchik, Ron Orbach as the spurned butcher Lazar Wolf and Austyn Myers as the earnest tailor Motel.
           Besides the dependably inspiring musical prologue “Tradition,” this “Fiddler” directed by Steve Glaudini boasts exhilarating staging of the “To Life” tavern number and the post-wedding celebration in honor of Tzeitel and Motel’s nuptials. Moonlight is known for its productions’ high-powered and crowd-pleasing dancing (choreography here by Lee Martino); “Fiddler” has that to be sure.
          The thoughtful “Sunrise, Sunset” never fails to leave a lump in my throat and this, as with the production’s solemn “Sabbath Prayer” and heart-rending “Anatevka,” is articulated at Moonlight with tenderness and grace.
           Also as always at Moonlight, the orchestral accompaniment is first rate – here it’s 24-musicians strong under the direction of Elan McMahan.
          I had three people with me at this performance, two of whom were seeing “Fiddler on the Roof” for the first time. I hope they, like I do, will remember this timeless show through all the sunrises and sunsets to come.
          “Fiddler on the Roof” runs through Aug. 30 at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista.