New LI 'Fiddler On The Roof' A Celebration Of Life, Love — Tradition

BABYLON, NY — There are some performances at the theater that will stay with you forever — certain shows that leave a lifetime mark on your heart and that echo, always, in your mind. There's a reason, after all, why those shows are beloved Broadway classics.

By that same token, for those who've been blessed enough to see iconic performances — Yul Brynner in "The King and I," Joel Grey in "Cabaret," Carol Channing in "Hello, Dolly!" and yes, Zero Mostel as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" — it's hard to imagine that magic ever existing again on any other stage.

And yet, sometimes, there's a sweet and inexplicable moment in time when the planets align and what unfolds in the hushed theater is, indeed, as good as the original — or, in some ways, even better.

Such is the case with this year's breathtaking production of "Fiddler on the Roof," now running through June 15 at The Argyle Theatre, located at 34 West Main Street in Babylon.

From the first note of "Tradition," the cherished songs are as familiar and comfortable as a beloved sweater you've worn all your life, wrapping you up in love and memories. And, too, while they echo with familiar refrains, those same lyrics, in this production, are, indeed, new again, sung with tenderness, gusto, and vocal excellence that's simply unmatched.

Directed by Evan Pappas, with choreography by Debbie Roshe and musical direction by Jonathan Brenner, this Tony Award-winning "Fiddler" is a feast for the senses — rich in every corner with color, light, energy and emotion. Each actor on the stage raises the proverbial bar, the choreography dazzles, and the music — oh, the music. Audience members left with tears in their eyes at the sheer beauty in those singular notes.

Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof is the brainchild of Broadway legends Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince, songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and book writer Joseph Stein.

Touching audiences worldwide with its humor, warmth and honesty, this universal show is a staple of the musical theater canon, a release for the show said. And, indeed, while the show has had an enduring legacy for decades, the basic tenets upon which it's based — finding love, the uncertainty of shifting political times, and, most of all, holding on tightly to tradition as children try desperately to forge their own paths — ring as true today as they did when "Fiddler" first debuted.

Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, his wife Golde, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical detail, Fiddler on the Roof's universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying and laughter as they collectively share the joy and sadness depicted on the stunningly appointed stage.

Danny Rothman's Tevye is a wonder. At times gruff, and at other times, whirling about the stage during the beloved "If I Were A Rich Man," throwing his arms up in the air and snapping his fingers, he's a master at his craft, breathing life and passion into one of the most memorable characters on the musical theater canvas. And yet, despite his ferocity of spirit, at the mention of his daughters, his beloved girls, his heart melts with tenderness and a rush of emotion that binds any father, any parent, to their children with an unbreakable cord.

Performances in pieces such as "Sunrise, Sunset," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," and the heartrendingly beautiful "Do You Love Me?" are a veritable gift to the audience — forever memories are made during this production.

And, at a time when so much is changing, "Fiddler" is a constant, a reminder that despite a world that's in so many ways unfamiliar from Tevye's, at its core is the beating heart of love, of commitment — the universal dreams that we all share.

"Now more than ever, Fiddler on the Roof reminds us of the strength found in community, the importance of holding onto our humanity amidst change, and the enduring power of tradition. This story speaks to every generation, and I’m honored to bring it to life at The Argyle," Evan Pappas, artistic director and director of "Fiddler on the Roof" said.

The cast includes Rothman; Deb Radloff in a moving turn as as Golde, Samantha Tullie as Tzeitel, Jojo Minasi as Motel, Sarah Milnamow as Hodel, Harry Simon Orenstein as Perchik, Natalie Shaw as Chava, Neil Devlin as Fyedka, Annie Rubi as Shprintze, Amanda Bruton as Yente, and Joseph Pyfferoen as Lazar Wolf.

The cast also features Carlyn Barenholtz, Zack Blumenstyk, Richard Brundage, Jordan Bunshaft, John Cavaseno, Chris Donovan, Laura Elizabeth Flanagan, Eric Frederich, Meredith Heller, Coulby Jenkins, Carly Meyer, Anna Polyachenko, John Ray, Sam Sommer, and Ciaran Welch.

Each performer brings to the stage a level of talent seldom seen beyond Broadway — they sing the characters in this time-honored treasure to joyful life, and we're collectively saddened to hear the last notes as the show comes to a close.

The creative team also includes set design by James Rotondo, lighting design by Christopher Chambers, costume design by Amanda Scanze, sound design by Kimberly O’Loughlin, wig, hair, and make-up design by Samantha Naso, assistant production manager and props design by Callie Hester. Props also go to co-choreographer Saki Masuda, assistant scenic designer Hayley Wallenfeldt, music coordinator Russell Brown, production stage manager Daniel Vaughn, assistant stage manager Gabrielle P. Guagenti, production manager/technical director Michael Kauffman — and to casting director Michael Cassara, CSA.

"Fiddler on the Roof" at The Argyle Theatre is, quite simply, a portrait of life in all its moments, heartbreaking and life-affirming. It resonates with universal themes of young romance that flowers into enduring commitment, the inevitable passage of time, and the certainty of change in the face of time-honored tradition.

But in the end, it's about what's most important in this lifetime: It's the love, after all, that lives on. Somewhere, Zero Mostel is smiling.

Tickets for Fiddler on the Roof are $70 to $90 (plus fees) and may be purchased online here or by calling (631) 230-3500. For group rates, contact Marty Rubin, Director of Sales, at Marty@ArgyleTheatre.com.

"Fiddler" will play Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.' Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday afternoons at 2:30 p.m.; and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m.