No matter how one sees it, as a reviewer, teacher or parent, the Iolani production of Fiddler on the Roof is a smash hit.  We begin with our professional, unbiased, totally objective review: 

Photos by Sam Cropsey and Al Linsky

For more photos, please visit
 
www.iolani-events.org

Welcome to Anatevka, a small village in Russia in 1905, on the eve of the Russian revolutionary period.

The play opens with Tevye, a poor Dairyman,  explaining the meaning of the play’s title. He says “…every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck…Anatevka is our home…how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in a word…Tradition.”

Wes Griswold as Tevye does a remarkable job in both singing and acting in this demanding role. His talks with God are very insightful and amusing. Wes’ vocal rendition of “If I Were a Rich Man” comes through loud and clear. Although he is on stage more than anyone else in the cast, it is not a one- man show.

Tevye’s three eldest daughters, played by Christine Chen, Misty Ann Oka and Krista Speroni do a wonderful job singing and dancing in “Matchmaker”. Misty Ann Oka also has a pensive solo “Far From the Home I Love” which displays her longing for the home she is leaving to be with her fiancé Perchik (Johnathan Nakasone) in Siberia.

Motel, the Tailor, is very well portrayed by Dillon Powers, who changes from a very timid suitor for Tzeitel (Christine Chen) to a determined man who successfully courts and wins Tevye’s approval to marry Tzeitel without a matchmaker. Dillon delivers his solo “Miracle of Miracles” convincingly with a great voice and acrobatic dancing.

Golde (Ashley Higa) is Tevye’s wife. Ashley has many vocal solos and has a lovely voice, well suited to the role. She is very convincing as the real head of the household. Although she has many parts to sing, her answer to Tevye’s plea of “Do You Love Me” is one of the most moving musical moments of the play.

Perchik (Jonathan Nakasone) is the radical student from Kiev who successfully defies Tevye, actually telling him that he and Hodel are engaged. He delivers his feelings to Hodel  clearly and tunefully in “Now I Have Everything”.

 

Although the play has serious themes, there are hilarious moments as well, especially in the dream sequence. Alicia Yurong as Grandmother Tzeital and Roberta Wong as Fruma-Sarah are such great character actors and disguise their naturally good voices into ghostly sounds, that they make this scene one of the highlights of the show.

Yente, the Matchmaker (Srivdevi Fournier) had just the right moves and characterization for her role. Very funny! The Rabbi (Christian Brady) and his son Mendel (Chaz Silva) are also very amusing. Christian and everyone else involved in the Wedding sequence were convincing.  Faculty cameo, Michael Park was commanding as the Constable.

Cecilia Fordham, former Iolani English teacher and administrator returns as guest director to work theatrical magic with a huge cast, a challenging musical score and the usual Iolani third quarter crunch.  She brings out performances that stun not only the audience, but, one suspects, the actors themselves. 

The whole production is musically solid, with excellent choral work by the large ensemble, especially in “Sabbath Prayer”, “To Life”, “Sunrise, Sunset” and the finale “Anatevka”.

The dance sequences, although brief, were well-executed and entertaining, especially the Russian Dancers and the Bottle Dancers.

All the directors, backstagers, musicians, actors and supporters of theater at Iolani can take pride in their Fiddler. 

History teacher, Jeffrey Hackler, viewed the performance from the perspective of a friend of the family. 

My visit to the Hawaii Theater last night was a homecoming.

I saw many current friends and kids,  as well as old friends, alumni, ­ teachers, a class- mate, and parents. Each instance brought a smile to my face and a flood of memories.

I also was reacquainted with another old friend, Fiddler on the Roof.  I had forgotten its charm. As soon as the curtain went up, I found myself humming along with the songs, starting with "Tradition," "Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," "To Life" and "Sunrise, Sunset."

I cried in the second act during "Do you love me?" because it was sung with such heart-felt emotion.

I sang these tunes on the way home last night and even during breakfast this morning. With great gusto, I might add.

I had also forgotten about Tevye, the hero of the play. Played brilliantly by Wesley Griswold, I immediately believed that he was a poor, hardworking, faithful dairyman with too many problems and too many daughters on his hands. With a kind sense of humor, he found solace in talking with God and by reflecting on the wisdom, "as the good book says."

The cast is large, well chosen and directed with a sure hand by Iolani veteran, Cecilia Fordham. The students acted, rather than said their lines and were wonderfully believable. Nothing on stage seemed static; everything flowed.

To top it off, the music was well performed and the lights, set, sound, make-up and costumes completed the performance to make the evening a total success.  I encourage everyone to attend the Hawaii Theater to see an old friend, and, for some, to make a new friend.    

Iolani parent Al Linsky caught a sneak preview Wednesday night and filed this early report: 

Fiddler on the Roof - Sneak Preview!
 
Fiddler on the Roof, by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, is one of my all-time favorite musicals.

Guest director Cecilia Fordham has done a superb job in choosing the cast.

Who else but Wes Griswold could be Tevye? The music (John Alexander) is absolutely fabulous. And the dancing (Deanna Luster) showed many unique ideas which only added to this wonderful story.
 
The singing was superb with the chorus bringing in many beautiful harmonies. Sunrise, Sunset! Need I say more? The story line was followed pretty closely. Tevye and Golde have 5 daughters. The oldest 3 go against "Tradition" and not only marry someone not chosen by the "matchmaker" but they marry outside their faith. This is a big hurdle for Tevye to get over. There is much dancing, singing and superb acting. This is a very sad story about traditions and how they change as the modern world infringes upon a small corner of the world.
 
I enjoyed this show tremendously and can't wait to see it again this weekend. See you there!
 
For more photos, please visit
 
www.iolani-events.org