Harvey Fierstein steals the show in Fiddler on the Roof, on tour at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle. Fierstein (winner of four Tony awards) plays the poor Russian father Tevye and is torn between the tradition of matchmaker marriages and supporting the choice made by three of his five daughters based on the love they have for their mates. Tevye is the narrator and backbone of the story who speaks to God in order seek guidance but mostly approval for his actions.
Fierstein first appeared in the Broadway revival of Fiddler back in 2005 and fits the role well, if you can get past the gravelly singing voice, but that’s his signature you have come to expect from Harvey after nearly forty years of acting. With every little quip and movement on the stage he adds his own bit of personality and character which elevates it from just a solid stage revival of a classic Broadway show to a funny and very entertaining performance from beginning to end. There is much more energy and exuberance in the performance than I had expected.
Tevye’s family lives in a Jewish Russian village on the eve of the revolution back in 1905 and lacks the money to pay any kind of dowry to marry off his daughters. Tevye must face the decision of each daughter to defy the matchmaker tradition as they not only try to marry the men that they love but also want their father’s approval of the relationship. He struggles with each decision as he looks to his God for guidance but ultimately comes to accept that love and family are as important as tradition. I want to believe that the message of love for your family and the struggle in having to break tradition is a theme that holds as true today it is did 100 year ago.
Fiddler on the Roof plays through Sunday, May 30, 2010 at The Paramount Theatre. This is a rare opportunity to see this Tony award winning production in Seattle with an iconic openly gay actor as the main character. For more info and tickets, visit www.stgpresents.org.
