Fiddler on the Roof at Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts

Theater: Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts
Show: Fiddler on the Roof
Seen: March 15, 2008
Submitted: March 17, 2008
Reviewer: Macrina Cooper

Carrying on the “Tradition” of Fiddler on the Roof, and truly bringing it “To Life,” CAPA (The Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts) put on an excellent performance of this engaging musical on March 15, 2008. From dancers with bottles atop their heads to more understated moments like “Do You Love Me?” between Tevye and Golde, the large cast tackled the complexity of the show with energy and spirit.

Fiddler is a show by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick based on the original story “Tevye and His Daughters” by Sholom Aleichem. It opened on Broadway in 1964, won 10 Tony Awards, and ran for 3,242 performances. The basic storyline includes a Jewish father whose traditions are challenged by the change around him because of the Russian tsar’s edicts and his own daughters’ rebellious requests for marriage.

CAPA’s production was anchored by the full character development of such an expansive cast. Peter Danelski truly brought Reb Nachum to life with his hunched and limping walk, while Troy LaPersonerie portrayed a fidgety and meek Motel in his own deportment.

Well-cast for the show, the lead performers carried the storyline with their enthusiasm and excellent vocal skills. Tevye, played by Jake Zumoff, came alive with his thick Russian, Jewish accent, his traditional dancing, and his control of intense emotions. Allison Dignam (Golde) complemented this fireball in her down-to-earth manner. The five daughters worked well together as a group; and individually, Tzeitel (Jill Hanley), Hodel (Rachel Nicoletti), and Chava (Ashley Purnell) developed their own stories eloquently.

Important to highlight, Yente (Erica Hess) added a spark of humor to the show, while Frank Ermilio played the more tame role of Fyedka appropriately. As a soloist featured in “Anatevka” and “To Life,” James Hopkins added brilliant color in a trained voice. Gabrielle Kramer, The Fiddler, also played the violin with beautiful vibrato, even dancing in a circle with Tevye!

The set and costumes were very appropriate for the historical time period, while the sound was clear. The stage crew assisted in smooth transitions, while the strong orchestra supported the singers and provided interest for the audience during scene changes. While the make-up did not completely highlight age differences, it did provide great effect along with tombstone props during the chilling “Dream Sequence.”

Overall, CAPA approached such a well-known show with creativity and precision, a tour de force as a high school production!

by Macrina Cooper-White of Chestnut Hill Academy / Springside School