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Regional Reviews: San Francisco Fiddler on the Roof Also see Richard's reviews of Rapture, Blister, Burn, Life Could Be a Dream and Fetch Clay, Make Man
Fiddler on the Roof, now playing in a wonderful, heartfelt production at Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma, is rich with these timeless themes. Even if you aren't an orthodox Jewish dairyman in a Russian shtetl, your children probably don't always follow your wise advice but instead find their own path. We can all feel a little lost in a world that is changing faster than we can adequately keep up with, just as Tevye does, and try with all our might to hang on to traditions we believe will keep us anchored. We may not have Cossacks at the door ready to evict us from our homes, but we can all feel a little powerless in the face of authority. Just ask the folks in Ferguson, Missouri. Seeing these eternal themes of change and tradition and the abuse of power played out on the stage can give us a slightly better perspective on our contemporary challenges. And isn't that one of the most beautiful things about art? This is especially true when the art is as lovingly—and excellently—presented as it is here by the highly talented team at Cinnabar Arts. I'll confess I was a little concerned when Stephen Walsh stepped on stage as Tevye. My first thoughts were that he didn't have the linguistic rhythms right. That the weight Tevye carries wasn't reflected in his bearing or demeanor. But by the end of the evening all that was forgotten, replaced by memories of Walsh's warmth and his rich, powerful baritone. Walsh is well-supported by most of the rest of the cast. While there are a few bit players whose acting is suspect, the main supporting performers are excellent. As Golde, Elly Lichtenstein is completely genuine—and near perfection. She completely embodies the qualities of maternal love and is a brilliant foil for Tevye's antics. Erin Ashe is delightful in the role of Chava, one of Tevye's five daughters. She has a sweet-faced comic charm that is a joy to watch—but can be biting and even a little ferocious when need be. The most talented members of the creative team, however, may be director John Shillington and choreographer Joseph Favalora, who have done a brilliant job of staging. When the opening number, "Tradition," kicks into gear, and the relatively small stage is suddenly filled with a huge cast (nearly 40 actors and dancers), it's almost like they've pulled off a magic trick. (It doesn't hurt that they can all sing—in harmony and unison.) Shillington has found ways to move this giant cast into and out of scenes with seamless grace, and Favalora's choreography strikes a perfect balance—feeling both organic to the rest of the action on stage (and Jewish traditions) and just showy enough to grab our attention. As with last season's Of Mice and Men, Cinnabar Arts has taken on a gargantuan challenge—and somehow, even in their small space, managed to remain true to both the importance of the work and maintain the intimacy of the connection between performers and audience. It's a dazzling production and well worth the trip to Petaluma. Fiddler on the Roof runs through September 28, 2014, at the Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 general, $25 for those 21 and under. There is a $5 surcharge for the special birthday performance on September 21. Tickets and additional information are available at www.cinnabartheater.org or by calling 707-763-8920.
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