Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/16/2009 02:07 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/20/2009 10:33 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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This Week on "The Standing O".....The 'Roof' is on Fire!~by Noella Eastlake
Sonora, CA......Sure, the ‘house’ may have been a little cold that evening, but there was absolutely nothing chilling about this performance. Sierra Repertory Theatre has been known throughout the years to give sensational performances, and their presentation of “Fiddler on the Roof” followed suit, leaving nothing to be desired. With a fantastic list of musical numbers, mixed with a few well-choreographed dance numbers, this play was keeping the audience on the edge of their seats the entire evening. Add in a bit of good humor, a few acrobatic stunts for flair, and tremendously fine acting and you have yourself a hit of a play....
It must be said that through the years, ‘Fiddler’ has had more than a few stellar performances. Standards were set high as I walked into the theater that night, and SRT didn’t let a soul down. Director Scott Viets is clearly in tune with his inner ‘drama.’ He knew what the audience wanted, and knew just how the actors should deliver it. While the lines in this play are at times sheer gold, even without good deliverance, it struck a special chord by the sheer volume of emotion expressed by the actors.
The opening number, a fantastic little ditty entitled ‘Tradition’ was a wonderful way to warm up the audience, as well as a small touch of introduction to the plot line, and a glimpse at all the characters. I find it an especially nice touch to hear the sounds of birds twittering in the background, while here and there actors and actresses showed their faces as they pulled down the makeshift curtain, also a nice touch. Jimmy Ferrado, a pleasant faced man from New York was a fantastic choice as our lead player, Tevye. It’s easy to say Ferrado might be a relative genius when it comes to delivering his lines. His facial expressions often sparked waves of laughter from the audience. He easily won over the audience, and captivated their hearts. During the course of the play we follow the story of his family, particularly the three eldest daughters and their path into womanhood, love, and marriage.
Tradition dictates that the ‘Papa’ or Tevye as is the case, should be the one to make the final selection for his daughters as they reach an age for marriage.
As the story progresses we learn that sometimes the traditions we hold so dear are made to be changed. Just as the world around us does so every day. Playing the roles of the three eldest are Nicole Ligerman, as Tzeitel, Marisa Abbott, as Hodel, and Ali Axelrod, as Chava.
Ligerman was a joy to watch as she revealed to her sisters the pains of having a matchmaker arrange your wedding. Ultimately, Tzeitel is paired up with her true love Motel, played by Joshua Paul Moore. Moore captivated the very essence of his role as a poor, Jewish tailor, trying to be deserving of his true loves hand. The beginning of the play is littered with a few scenes between Tzeitel, Motel and Tevye that reveal our young lover is also not the bravest of souls. Moore had me laughing through most of his earlier entrances and I couldn’t help enjoy the sound of his voice as he whimpered his fears to his would-be bride.
Abbott, playing our second eldest Hodel, is paired with the ‘outsider’ Perchik, played by Johnathan Scott Roth. Roth was an instant charmer on the stage, and his short speeches on change were very compelling. It’s easy to see why Hodel fell for him, and easy to see the slow ease into this realization of love in the acting talents of Abbott.
Playing our youngest lover, Chava, Axelrod also made the transition into womanhood both believable and enjoyable. Having one of the harder afflictions, as the child who dared to defy to the lengths of betrayal, Axelrod led us down the road of love, regret and ultimately redemption. Playing her beloved is Steven Stone, as Fyedtka. It can’t be forgotten that Stone has excellent stage presence. His accent was near flawless, and his onstage stunts were a joy to watch. My only complaint is that he simply wasn’t on stage more. The family is rounded off by two younger daughters, Bielke and Shprintze, played by Morgan Murry and Leah Bateman respectively. Rounding off our loveable family is mama or Golde, played by Becky Saunders. The chemistry between Saunders and Ferrado was evident in their portrayal of husband and wife.
There are also many other talented stars that lined the stage throughout the performance. Aleq Bateman, our fiddler, is a very talented young star who will entrance you with his dance and play. Floyd Harden took command of the stage the second he was on, as the constable. Julia Goretsky plays the ever-lovable and hard to forget Yente. Ty Smith plays the jilted would-be husband of Tzeital, and will leaving you in tears (from laughing so hard!) at his facial expressions. Bryan Seastrom, is the memorable, lovable, sometimes forgetful old rabbi. Mary Lauren as Grandma Tzeital, and Leah Kolb as Yussel, are both joys to watch during the infamous ‘dream’ of Tevye. Rounding out the cast are Bobby Traversa as the beggar, Berlynn Simonis as Riva, Melissa Riner as Klara, Jesse McCoy as Sasha, Caitlin Randall as Shaindel, Patrick Robert Kelly as Mendel, Francisco Garcia as the Innkeeper, and Jessica Couto as Fruma-Sarah.
SRT’s production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ can be seen every weekend from now until April 5th. Show times include a Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday matinee at 2pm. Evening shows Thursday and Friday at 7pm and Saturday evenings at 8pm. Ticket prices range from 18$-28$, but are well-worth the price.
-Noella Eastlake
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