"Sunrise, sunset...sunrise, sunset..." Some of you may have noticed that it has been a few months since our last blog post. Well, there's many reasons for that, namely, life just gets busy, but we also knew that our next movie was a long one. "Fiddler on the Roof" is about three hours long, quite the commitment for an evening, but we finally did it. And I must say, it was an evening well spent.
I believe I've only seen Fiddler once before, and it was quite awhile ago. However, I found myself very much enjoying this film, especially songs like "Matchmaker, matchmaker" and "Miracles." Growing up as the oldest of three girls, I also enjoy watching the interactions among the three oldest sisters, and seeing similarities between them and myself.
I appreciate the continual struggle that Tevye faces throughout this story, as he believes strongly in "tradition" but is, time and time again, faced with change to the "traditions" that he knows. Even though he struggles, he always ends with some grace, and you can tell that he loves his family, his daughters, very much, and wants them to be happy, even though allowing them their happiness forces him to let go of some of his deep seated beliefs/traditions.
Watching it again was very much worth my time, even though it is filled with sadness and a reminder of how much persecution the Jewish people have faced. "Fiddler" does not end like a Rogers and Hammerstein musical where everyone comes back together, sings a happy song and goes on their merry way. We are left with families going in different directions, a people being forced out their own home, another exodus...and this all happens in the time frame of before World War I and World War II. "Fiddler" is a good reminder of the history of persecution the Jewish people have had to face. It reminds us of how we need to stand up for those who are persecuted in today's world and to continue to pray for peace in a very turbulent world.
-Bethany
This is the show that as a kid got me hooked on musicals. Some of my earliest musical theatre memories involve spending nights in the local schools watching my mom lead the chorus, and my grandfather direct the orchestra in the local musical comedy group. "Fiddler" however stretches the definition of comedy. There are most certainly elements of humor, and some great comedy, but describing it as such is probably short of the mark, and sells the show cheap.
'Fiddler' is centered around one of the biggest moments in recent history, (and by recent I mean the last century.) It takes place in the small Russian village of Anatefka in the very early 20th century where a small Jewish community is scraping bye, attempting to hold on to their traditions, culture, children, and way of life all during what is a very tumultuous time for the country of Russia. Our main character Tevye is the local milkman 'day and night, scrambling for a living' and trying to hold his family and his town together in a trying time.
The great thing about 'Fiddler' is that the music is not forced, nor is it your classic Broadway ballad belting. The composers very obviously tried to make this musical sound like it belongs in the time and place that it happens. This show has always had a great impact on me and not just because of the great acting and great music. For reasons I don't understand, I have always Identified with Tevye, and his life as portrayed here. I'm not Jewish, not a father, not a milkman......but the way he tries so hard to hang on to his way of life while at the same time bending to the changing times (for the love of his family) has always struck a chord with me.
I had the opportunity in High School to play the butcher Lazar Wolfe in this show when we did our production of it. I don't think that I have watched it since then almost 10 years later! Seeing this tonight reaffirmed my love of this show, and reaffirmed my love of musical theatre. Thanks John Williams (for arranging the music for the movie) and thanks Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick for such moving and memorable music and lyrics.
-David
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