Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria is on a mission to offer a total entertainment experience, combining quality dining with professional theater. “Fiddler on the Roof” is back and continues onstage now through April 3. The brainchild of Broadway legends, including Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince, “Fiddler on the Roof” received nine Tony Awards and is a musical theater staple around the globe.
According to Marketing Manager Kat Barnes, “Fiddler” is the most popular show in ABT’s history. It follows the story of Tevye, the milkman, on his touching journey to protect his daughters and his way of life in an ever-changing world. “I’ve done this show eight times over the past 30 years,” says director Seth Reines. “Every time I come back to it I find new things.”
This is the first time he’s approached the play since losing both of his parents and he says that colors his view of the show, the characters and their often conflicted relationships.
“This show keeps being done because it speaks to each generation differently,” Seth says. “We keep facing the same issues: pogroms, ghettos, reservations, pockets of poverty around the world. It’s still happening. Human conditions really haven’t changed that much.”
“Fiddler on the Roof” opened on Broadway in 1964 and was the first musical to surpass 3,000 performances. It remains Broadway’s 16th longest-running show in history.
The ABT production takes a slightly darker approach this time around. Seth says, “The original production added things to lighten up the story. But it’s a rather dark tale.” Seth’s design and production team have created a more abstract design with some very original qualities to define the Anatevka shtetl. While neither of the designers are Jewish, Seth believes their fresh approach and the research they did allow them to develop their unusual treatment of the set.
Seth directed one production in Salt Lake City several years ago with an almost entirely Mormon cast. “But they had so much in common with the characters: the sense of family, bonds, tradition. Every culture has faced the horror of being driven out of their homes,” he says.
Seth attended the University of Georgia, where his father taught, and he was the president of Hillel on campus. Today he sees himself as ethnically Jewish although not very observant. But he is keenly aware of his Jewish identity. He recalls showing a film to his non-Jewish college classmates about the plight of Russian Jews. After the viewing, he was shocked to learn that everyone insisted the film was pure propaganda. As he sat in the classroom with his head in his hands, his professor told him, “Don’t ever forget who you are, because they will never let you.”
When Seth was asked which of ABT’s shows he might like to direct this season, he unequivocally chose “Fiddler.” “You don’t have to be Jewish to direct this show,” Seth says, “but it doesn’t hurt.” He reminded the folks divvying up shows, “If your director doesn’t know what a mezuzah is, you’ve got the wrong director.”
Don’t miss this exciting, fresh production of a classic. While the costumes may be traditional, and the story line unchanged, this is “Fiddler” like you’ve never seen it before. “And the final moments of the show will be like nothing you have ever seen,” Seth says.
Fiddler on the Roof
WHEN: Tuesday – Sunday, through April 3
WHERE: Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W Paradise Lane, Peoria
FOR TICKETS: 623-776-8400 or azbroadway.org.
