"Fiddler" Earns an Opening Night Standing Ovation

When you perform or work behind the scenes in community theater, you do it for the joy, the fun, the interaction with the audience. You don't do it for the paycheck (hint: $0).

The cast and crew of The King of Prussia Players production of Fiddler on the Roof clearly worked hard for their pay day. And Friday's opening night ended in a well-deserved and hard earned standing ovation.

Hard-earned because the enormous (by community theater standards) company has worked months to bring this beloved Broadway classic to the stage at Shannondell Performing Arts Theater in nearby Audubon. (More on this hidden gem of a theater in a moment). Well-deserved because it's a darn good show with some outstanding performances both on and off stage.

Fiddler tells the story of Russian milkman Tevye, his family and the Jewish village they live in during the Russian Revolution in 1905.  It is not a happy time for the impoverished villagers who are forced out of their town by the political events they cannot control. But long before there was Les Miserables (about peasants and misery in the French Revolution) Fiddler proved there is theater gold in the stories of faith, the human spirit and triumph in the midst of dismal social chaos.

Fiddler is one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history and the King of Prussia Players do that tradition proud in their current production.

The opening night performances were strong, and I predict that with a few opening jitters and technical (microphone) bugs out of the way, some of the performances will get even stronger. 

I went to support community theater, something I believe in strongly. I left wanting to encourage friends to go see this show, which runs only this weekend and next. Click here for tickets and times.

There are some amazing performers in this production. At the top of that list are the women who play Tevye's three oldest daughters, Tzeitel (Becca Schiel), Hodel (Julia Kershetsky) and Chava (Jesse O'Brien).  As the father of three daughters myself I thought they captured their relationships with their siblings, and their parents perfectly. The essence of those relationships are constant whether it's revolutionary Russia or modern America.

Going in I knew Becca Schiel would be wonderful. (I performed with her in March's production of Wizard of Oz at Footlighters Theater in Berwyn). I knew nothing of Julia Kershetsky (Hodel) whose spectacular singing voice alone is worth the price of admission. Jesse O'Brien's talent is perfectly matched with Becca and Julia. She plays Chava, the third and most rebellious of Tevye's five daughters.

Sheldon Bruce Zeff makes his K of P Players debut in the role of Tevye. Those are some big boots to fill and he does it with an engaging performance that is full of humor even amidst the changing world and estrogen-filled home he shares with his wife and five daughters.

There are some other stars in this production too:

Lighting Director Christen Mandracchia has done a simply spectacular job. Nobody says "hey let's go see a show for the lighting!" but when it's done right it is a beautfiful complement to the actors, sets and action on the stage. This show's lighting is amazing, beautiful and it was executed flawlessly.

Set Designer Dana McGahey literally sets the stage with a village that puts you right there, in the midst of stark poverty in 1905 Russia. The setting also provides a great roof for the young fiddler.

The orchestra: One word. Amazing. This is a giant, lush, professional caliber ensemble of about 20 musicians who are all volunteers.

The costumes are also flawless.

And now a few words about the Shannondell Performing Arts Theater.  This theater is among the best that any community theater company could hope to perform on in the country. It's huge, comfortable, and modern with great sight lines and great acoustics.  But it is also hidden away deep in the center of a beautiful retirement living apartment complex. The drag is that you can't park there. You MUST park in the parking lot of the Giant Food store across Egypt Road and be bussed in to the gated community.

Friday night there were a lot more people who came than expected. It was a hurculean task for the two small (but nice) shuttle busses to get everyone in to the complex and the curtain had be held for about 20 minutes.

Fiddler is a long show. It doesn't matter who performs it.  It is just a long show, sort of the same way Les Miserables is. It runs almost three hours, including intermission. This production never drags, but if you go (and you should) be prepared to make a full evening of it.  You may also want to get a babysitter for younger kids.  The music is beautiful, the cast is worth seeing, but if a one hour TV show stretches your child's tolerance limits, this is probably not the show for them.

So call the sitter, get your tickets now and arrive at the parking lot earlier than later. You're in for a treat that's local, affordable and a great evening out.

Fiddler on the Roof runs Saturday night at 7:30, Sunday at 2 and next Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Shannondell Performing Arts Theater in nearby Audobon.